Romans 8:28 KJV
8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

DAILY READING Romans 1:16-32; 1 Samuel 9:1-10:16; Psalm 55
Chan and fellow Australian Myuran Sukumaran, gained international attention, for turning to God during their decade-long stay in an Indonesian prison. Though arrested for drug trafficking, while in prison they encountered Christ and became believers. One of them Andrew Chan, became a Christian while in solitary confinement. After reading through the New Testament four times, he was on his knees and cried for the first time in years. He studied theology and was ordained.

In prison, Chan and Myuran rehabilitated themselves to become upstanding members of the prison system. Even in jail they made positive contributions to the lives of other prisoners. They corresponded with Brian Houston, pastor of Hillsong Church in Sydney. Pastor Brian said he spoke almost every day with Andrew Chan, whose faith and strength under extreme duress, inspired him.

However, despite their change of life, the Indonesian Government still insisted on the death penalty for them. Just before their execution, they sang praises to God. A pastor who witnessed the execution told an Australian Newspaper, that it was the first time he witnessed someone so excited to meet their God. Chan died singing “10,000 Reasons” by Matt Redman. The song includes the words, “And on that day when my strength is failing/The end draws near and my time has come/Still my soul will sing Your praise unending/Ten thousand years and then for evermore.”

In his final letter Chan said he was glad he didn’t die a sinner, but had the joy of salvation by accepting Christ as his savior even while in prison, for him that was the greatest gift of all. 

Apostle Paul was sharing the Gospel, when he was arrested and put in the prison. But Paul wasn’t defeated and depressed by his situation. When he couldn’t speak publicly, he began to write letters. In Rom 5:3-4 Paul wrote `we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.’ While moving from one prison to the other Paul wrote over half the New Testament from his prison cells. They thought they were stopping him, but they only ended up amplifying  his voice. 
James tells us to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials, of various kinds. The message translation says “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” (James 1:2-4 MSG) 

This seems like a hard thing to do, but the joy that James is talking about here is pure joy – the word pure means all, every, and whole or thoroughly, not just a surface joy, but a joy that is all encompassing. A joy that is real, a joy that is pure, a joy that can pass all understanding, that kind of joy can only come from God. 

Sometimes in life, we will be hurt, disappointed, challenged, and overwhelmed by the many different trials that come our way, but we are to count it all joy in the midst of our trials. We should react to things with the understanding that God is in control. 
When we walk with God, we will be passed through refining fires. We may not like the process that makes us  Christ-like  because it may involve pain,  but the end result is the product of spiritual maturity. God knows every setback and challenge you have ever had to face. And He sometimes allows the storms as  part of the process of making us stronger. Instead of short-circuiting the process, let us stand strong in the face of trials, knowing we will come out of it better, more mature and more developed. When we have been tried we shall come forth as gold.  

Therefore quit focusing on the trials that come your way, rather use every such opportunity to praise God. No matter how difficult the road may be, God alone has the final say over your life. If God doesn’t turn it around the way you thought, be certain that He is working it all out for your good.  

The most important thing is to always ensure we are in the will of God, and not that we are suffering as a consequence of sin or ignorance. When we are in God’s will, His grace will always be sufficient for us. You’ll never come to a hill where you won’t have the strength to climb it. You will never come to a night so dark, there will be no star in it. Every trial we face should culminate in giving Glory to God. The very thing the enemy thinks will steal our joy, should be the very reason why we praise God. No matter what happens be assured that Jehovah alone has the final say in your life. At the end of his life Paul said I have finished my race – with joy. Let us determine to finish our course with joy, knowing that indeed God is in perfect control of our lives. 

Let us therefore rejoice always, in everything giving thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).” 

PRAYER:  Lord please help me to know that everything is working out together for my good. Help me to build my life upon the solid foundation of Your Word, knowing indeed it is all working out well for me  in Jesus Name.

 QUOTE 

Nothing liberates like truth, the truth you know and act upon will make you free. – WORDBITE 222.  

 [ADAPTED FROM THE BOOK FAITH CLASSICS]