A Different Perspective (2)

Dearly beloved, I trust this finds you well and bubbling in the Lord. Yesterday, we saw how Paul encouraged the brethren about his imprisonment. “And I want you to know this, dear brothers: Everything that has happened to me here has been a great boost in getting out the Good News concerning Christ… But whatever their motive for doing it, the fact remains that the Good News about Christ is being preached, and I am glad” (Philippians 1v12, 18; TLB). The question is, how do we view the things that are happening to us. Humanly speaking, imprisonment is one of the worst things that can happen to a person. But we know that in this case, it was not for a bad thing that Paul was imprisoned. Yet, Paul could have complained and grumbled and whined and been upset with God. John the Baptist in a similar situation did ask if Jesus was the Messiah or if another should be expected (Matthew 11v3; Luke 7:19).

Child of God, do you really believe it when you are told that “ We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose” (Romans 8v28, AMPC). Often times, in retrospective, we see why certain things happened, but I think it will be good practice that at each point in time, we can give God glory and ask to see what He is doing and how it is working together, not just for our good, but for the sake of the gospel. Let’s see a different perspective on trials from 2 Corinthians 1v3-4 (TLB) which says “^3-4 What a wonderful God we have—he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.”  Here we see that, in trials and hardships, God comforts us, that we can also comfort others. In Acts 5v41 (AMPC) it is written of the apostles “So they went out from the presence of the council (Sanhedrin), rejoicing that they were being counted worthy [dignified by the indignity] to suffer shame and be exposed to disgrace for [the sake of] His name.” They had a different perspective on their indignity and sufferings. May God help us have the right perspective on situations always.

Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word today. We thank You for You are with us always. O God, help us to see our situations through Your eyes o Lord, that we may know what to rejoice in and what we need to resist. Help us to be wise concerning spiritual things and to know what You want us to do. Thank You Most High God, in Jesus name we pray with thanksgiving, amen.

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