BBD 07.16.13 When the Worst Happens (Classic)
Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>
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The Burning Bush Devotional
14,000 Subscribers
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Classic from 2006
07.16.13
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 NKJV.
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 (January 2006), 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 © 2006-2013. Ed
Wrather. The Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On
June 8, 1998 the email version of the Burning Bush Devotional was first sent.
Ed Wrather began writing devotionals in the early 1990s. The distribution of
these first devotionals was primarily through the Burning Bush Newsletter sent
to prison facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
Ed Wrather has retired from
pastoring full-time and has more time to pursue other ministry opportunities.
No matter what the size your church, Ed will come on a love offering basis for
a revival or to share his testimony in the continental United States. You can
make contact at edwrather@yahoo.com or WratherEd@gmail.com
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