God's perfect time

He has made everything beautiful in its time. -Ecclesiastes 3:11

We must praise God at all times. Sometimes, when the good things we aspire for, do not reach us before a specified time, we become disappointed. We begin to murmer against God saying: “What is the use of my being holy? I don’t get material prosperity. I see ‘the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong’ (Psalm 73:1-4). Their wicked life seems to make them more prosperous. O Lord, why don’t you listen to my prayer?” Vainly presuming ourselves to be overly righteous, we murmer against God. Consequently, we weaken ourselves without our own awareness.

During His ministry of three and a half years on the earth, Lord Jesus had to go through several tribulations. Yet, He never murmered against God. Nothing happened in His life without His Father’s will. He declared: “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). That is why ‘deceit was not found in his mouth’ (1 Peter 2:22). “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people.” (Luke 24:19).

Job, the devout servant of God, was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. Unfortunately, within one day, he lost all his possessions and ten children. And yet, he did not murmer against God. All he uttered was: “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21).

But look at this situation! God released six lakhs of Israelites and their families from Egypt, their house of bondage, through Moses. He was leading them to the land of Canaan, flowing with milk and honey. On the way, they confronted the Red Sea but God led them through the sea by dividing the waters. Hence, they feared Him and reposed their faith in Him. For forty years, God had been with them; they lacked nothing (Deuteronomy 2:7). But when they went into the wilderness of Shur, they found no water. Even at Marah, they found only bitter water. Irritatedly, they began to complain “What shall we drink?” They grumbled against Moses and God, forgetting all the good things and miracles done by the Lord till then (Exodus 15:22-24).

Dearly beloved, if we follow their example- murmuring against God and holding ourselves overly righteous- we will become debilitated in our spirit and lose our strength. On the other hand, if we love our Lord, holding on to Him, He will make ‘everything beautiful in its time’ (Ecclesistes 3:11). The Bible says that “…all things God works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28).

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

I thank You for all your benefits. Thank You for being with me even in times of trials. Forgive me if I have murmured against You. Help me to hold on to my faith in difficult times. Help me to remember the good things which You had done in my life. Give me a grateful heart. Enable me to be content in all circumstances. Enable me to praise you at all times. Deliver me from my troubles and bless me beyond my expectations. In Your matchless name I pray. Amen.

(by Dr. Paul Dhinakaran)

God Is God

Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. —Hebrews 11:35

When Polycarp (AD 69-155), who was bishop of the church at Smyrna, was asked by Roman authorities to curse Christ if he wanted to be released, he said, “Eighty-six years I have served Him, and He never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?” The Roman officer threatened, “If you do not change your mind, I will have you consumed with fire.” Polycarp remained undaunted. Because he would not curse Christ, he was burned at the stake.

Centuries earlier, when three young men named Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego faced a similar threat, they answered, “O Nebuchadnezzar, . . . our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods” (Dan. 3:16-18). A similar experience but two different outcomes. Polycarp was burned alive, but Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego left the furnace unsinged.

Two different results but the same display of faith. These men showed us that faith in God is not simply faith in what God can do. But it’s the belief that God is God whether He delivers us or not. He has the final say. And it’s our decision to choose to follow Him through it all.

(by Albert Lee)

Lord, help us trust You all the time

Regardless of what comes our way,

Accepting from Your goodness that

You always have the final say. —Sper

Life is hard, but God is good—all the time.

Feeling troubled?

Find a way to be Thankful for your troubles,

& they can become your blessings.

Seeking God's Will...

“The Lord… closed her womb.” (1 Samuel 1:5)

Sometimes the door will open… only when you understand why it was shut in the first place.

Lets consider the story of Hannah. She wanted a son, but God wanted a prophet!

When she prayed, ‘If you...give me a son, I will give him back to you all his life...’ (1 Samuel 1:11), God not only gave her Samuel, but also six more children (1 Samuel 2:5).

Hannah’s desperation led her to her destiny: ‘The Lord… closed her womb.’ Why? To get Hannah’s attention, to draw her closer to Himself.

Hard times cause us to re-examine our lives and seek God as never before. Our emphasis changes from ‘Lord, here’s what I want’ to ‘Lord, what do You want?’ Then He blesses us, because ‘...He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’ (Hebrews 11:6).

Often the starting seed, for the harvest you are praying for, may be something you love and want to cling to, and don’t want to surrender to God.

Today drop your desire in His loving care and fret no longer!

Have a Trouble-free day!

(by Irma Raymond)