ROMANS 8: 28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
DAILY READING • Mark 8:1-21; 2 Samuel 19; Daniel 12
When you truly love God, and are committed to serving Him, no matter what comes your way in life, everything will ultimately work together for your good.
Oswald Jeffrey Smith was a great man of God, who made a profound impact on Christendom in the last century. However this great man of God would have been unheard of had he not known the power of prayer.
In 1920, as a young man, Oswald Smith, wanted to go to the mission field and serve as a missionary. This dream greatly dominated his heart. Over and over again, he prayed, “Lord, I want to go as a missionary for you. Open a door of service for me.”
One day he was finally able to stand before an examining board for selecting missionaries. Standing before the board he felt his prayers would be answered. But when the examination was over, the board had turned Oswald Smith down. He had failed the test. However he refused to accept the verdict of the missionary examining board and rather chose to seek God’s face. As Oswald Smith prayed earnestly, he sensed God wanted him to take another course. This new vision drove Oswald Smith. And he was eventually able to pastor The People’s Church in Toronto, Canada, which sent out more missionaries than any other church at that time. Through prayers, God transformed his detour into a main thoroughfare of service.
Oswald when he received the news of not being accepted to be a missionary, could have decided to sit and bemoan his fate. Rather he sought God for a way out. And by following divine counsel, was able to fulfill his destiny.
Often times, things happen in life, which you may not initially understand it, but if you’ll keep the right attitude, you’ll find that those things end up pushing you further into your destiny. Anyone who is getting ahead in life will be confronted by setbacks at one time or the other. As long as you are getting up and trying to do something with your life you will sometimes face disappointing situations. But the difference between the winners and losers is the way they react to such situations.
We can always see a way out when we come to God in prayers. Prayer is essential for us to walk in God’s divine will and plan. The bible says that with every temptation God makes a way of escape. Often hidden in that seeming disappointment is a seed of equivalent benefit. Through prayers you can find it. And when you find it there shall be a reward and your expectations shall not be cut off. As you apply the direction God gives you in the prayer closet, you will find that what the enemy meant for evil in your life, God will turn around for your greater good.
Sometimes it may seem as if you are in a night season of life and everything looks dark and hopeless, but there will be always a way out when you go on your knees and seek God’s face. When you persevere in prayers and keep seeking God’s counsel, that situation will eventually be turned around for you. When you don’t know what to do, do what you know, get on your knees. Keep your gaze on Jesus, keep looking unto Him, keep seeking His counsel and His guidance. Soon you will receive an answer and locate the way out of that situation. Through prayers, God will work it all out for your good. No matter what things may look like, always remember God is still on the throne. He is in control. He alone has the final say over your life. Weeping may have endured for the night but your joy is coming. And as you continue to trust in God, He will surely turn it all around in your favor.
PRAYER: Lord, please strengthen me to persevere in prayers and help me to always keep my focus on You. May I never allow setbacks to weigh me down, but rather by Your grace I shall remain fervent in prayers. Surely everything will work out for my good in Jesus Name.
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As a child of God you have to recognize that you are in the middle of an ongoing battle. WORDBITE 222.