BBD 01.20.06 When the Worst Happens
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
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01.20.06
When the Worst Happens
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. - Romans 8:26-28.
Joyce Urch who is 74-years-old had been blind for over 25 years until she
had a heart attack and went into a coma. She was not expected to live but
when Joyce woke up she shouted to her doctors and her husband, "I can see, I
can see, I can see." It was thought that she had lost her sight in 1979
because of glaucoma. Joyce who lives in England says, "I love going out now.
I can look around and see the trees and squirrels and pigeons. The first
time you look in the mirror you look at yourself and think, "Is that really
me? I never used to be like that."
How wonderful! Out of such a terrible thing as a heart attack has come
healing and sight neither of which was expected. You could say that Joyce
has a new lease on life. Good from the bad wouldn't it be wonderful if there
was always something good that came from the bad things that happen to us?
The amazing thing is that this is exactly what God promises to those who
love and follow Him. Now I know what you are thinking. You're thinking, "I've
never had anything like that happen to me and besides lots of bad things
have happened to me - so where is all of the good?"
Recognizing the good that comes from the bad in life comes about as we
mature spiritually. As we grow up in Christ from a baby to maturity, we
develop spiritual insight. God constantly is at work and will use everything
in your life for good if you will cooperate with Him in this process.
When something bad happens, be alert for God to make a spiritual opportunity
available. Last Sunday morning we had one of our lowest numbers in
attendance that we have ever had. I said to myself, "God is going to do
something special this morning." Last Sunday a woman that had been saved
several years ago but had never followed the Lord in baptism came forward
during the invitation. She is to be baptized this next Sunday. What a joy!
However, I could have been disappointed, depressed, and even angry about the
poor attendance and in the beginning of my ministry, that was my response at
times. I have learned that when it looks the worst, be alert, watch out, for
God may be ready to move. It has happened exactly that way over, and over,
and over.
Think about Moses. He thought his life was over at 40 when he disappeared
into the backside of the desert to become a shepherd. By the time he reached
the age of 80 he probably had the place picked out where he wanted to be
buried and thought it would be soon. Out of all of the bad, and the long
years, long nights came what in the life of Moses? What a surprise when God
showed up in the form of a burning bush and said in effect guess what Moses,
you have just received your graduate degree in desert survival. It was not
until Moses had spent 40 years in the desert that he had gained the skills
necessary to lead a few million people out of Egypt. God used everything
that happened in the life of Moses to bring about good. God has the same
kind of thing in mind for you and me.
The next time something bad happens, look around, to see the amazing thing
that God is going to do with it. You may be ready to give up but this may
very well be when God is going to put everything together using you more
than He ever has before to bring about something wonderfully good.
Copyright © 2006. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the devotionals
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