It Shall Not Be For Nothing

We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, 

to those who are called according to His purposes

 (Romans 8:28)

How vividly accurate this truth can be seen after a crisis has passed and, looking back we see how God indeed made something good of it.  But how often do we turn to these words for assurance while we are still in the middle of the situation?

Nothing smooths the ragged edges of human morale like the assurance that no matter how negative the circumstances, something good will eventually come of it.  As God’s children we are told that our assurance should precede, not follow our troubles:

Jesus said to Thomas, “because you have seen Me, you have believed. 

 Blessed (fortunate, happy) are those who have not seen and yet have believed 

(John 20:29)

How is it possible to see something before it happens? It is possible only by exercising faith in the provision and faithfulness of our Heavenly Father:

Faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for,

 being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality 

[faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]

 (Hebrews 11:1 Amp. Bible)

As God’s children we must:

Walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) Without faith it is impossible to please Him, 

for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that

 He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

 (Hebrews 11:6)

Faith in God’s promises, as found throughout His Word, gives us the ability to know in the deepest part of our being, beyond a shadow of doubt, that somewhere, someway, sometime, something good will be made of what we are experiencing at the moment.  Faith such as this transforms cries of “Lord, Help!” to “Thank You, Lord!”

I cannot say I knew your pain, nor can I fully feel it;
Because I have not walked your “mile” I have no words to heal it.
Only one who’s suffered in the way you’re suffering now,
Can comfort you and speak with love the words to show you how.
God said, “It will not all be loss, for from your tragedy,
I’ll cause much good to come about if you’ll just trust in Me.”
We cannot see the way He plans to bring this promise true,
But God has never failed His Word and He’ll not start with you.
So with a sympathetic heart I point you to the One
Who bought for us eternal life with the death of His own Son.
May all His power descend on you each time your spirit cries;
Give inner peace and strength and faith to still the haunting “whys?”

                 

                       Glenda Collins Inman