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"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
(Romans 8:28)
I hope the first month of this new year was great for you! Here in Austin, Texas, where I live, already this year, the temperatures dipped down to 7 degrees with the wind chill factor making it feel like 0 degrees. But in Texas, we have a saying: "If you don't like the weather now, just hang on; it'll change soon!" And change it did! In just a few days, the high was over 70 degrees!
It is a fact of life that change happens. Most changes we do not like. Someone said the only one who likes change is a baby with a wet diaper, and even then, he is not too excited about it! But aren't you glad that God loves us, He is with us, and He leads us to make healthy changes when the time is right? And aren't you glad that God's nature does not change? He is always loving, holy, kind, and has our best interests in His heart.
The devotions this week will center around another life principle taught by Pastor Charles Stanley. His 18th Life Principle is entitled, "Victim of Victor?" His message will make you think deeply. Stanley argues that as followers of Jesus, we should not view our lives as victims of evil or circumstances. He states that we should rather walk through life with a clear understanding of the sovereignty and power of God to make all things work together for our good. Romans 8:26-28 states, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."
When trouble and evil come to us, we are tempted to think we are simply victims of our circumstances. Those who do not know God conclude it was just bad luck or you were simply unfortunate, and there is no higher power or greater purpose in the suffering. I must admit, that would be a sad and tough way to live, but so many people live that way.
Let me remind you of something that you may have forgotten as you travel a difficult road. God loves you. Nothing comes to you unless it first passes through His permissive will. Could He have prevented what happened? Yes, indeed, and so many times He does. But in those lonely and hard nights of the soul when things happen that we simply cannot understand, please know that God sees you, and He has a plan. Romans 8:37 says, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
Remember: the Lord loves you, and He has a plan!
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