Something good is coming out of this
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I remember one time I had to fulfill a ministry assignment in a very hostile and harsh environment. I wanted to get out of it so badly, but God wouldn’t let me go right away. I cried. I prayed. I felt miserable. I didn’t understand why I had to be there.
But over time, I put all my focus on doing God’s will instead of obsessing over what was wrong. And you know what happened? I was able to make positive changes in that place. It wasn’t easy, but people were blessed. Hearts were reached. Souls were saved. Chains were loosed off of folks’ lives. Shackles were broken. Many were freed.
You see, it never was about me and my comfort. It was about God’s will being accomplished. After a lengthy time period, God released me to go.
I look back on it now and I know, no matter how hard it was, it was the right thing for me in that season. Something amazing came out of it, despite how truly difficult it was.
You know, sometimes, we want to escape the very circumstances God is using to accomplish His good purpose. We cry out and buck against the stuff the Lord uses to refine, perfect, mature and bless us.
This morning, I was reading about a man named Obadiah in 1 Kings 18. Obadiah was the chief administrator in the household of a wicked ruler. His boss was the notoriously corrupt King Ahab, who turned the nation of Israel away from the Lord by introducing idol worship along with his wife Jezebel. But Obadiah, whose name means servant of the Lord, despite working for Ahab, was faithful to the Most High.
“God knows where you are. Even if it’s a hard place, the suffering and pain isn’t in vain. He is going to turn this situation all the way around and do something amazing you didn’t anticipate!”
So imagine how hard it was to be employed by Ahab during a time when murderous and ruthless Queen Jezebel was killing prophets of God left and right. There were probably days and nights when Obadiah fantasized about escaping and abandoning his post. But he couldn’t go anywhere because God had planted him there for that season.
According to 1 Kings 18:4, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them in two caves— fifty in each—and supplied them with food and water.
Now think about this. What if Obadiah only had regard for himself and his own comfort, and had abandoned his assignment? What would have become of those men of God? They could have lost their lives, right? God wanted Obadiah there, inside a wicked administration, to accomplish His work. He used Obadiah to do a good thing while he was working for a bad king.
See how God specializes in bringing something good out of the worst situation?
If you can endure the hardship, pain and discomfort of frustrating times, you will step into a season where things will come full circle. One day, you will look back on all of this and see how God was up to something incredible.
For now, just trust the Lord. Put your hope in Him. Believe in the truth of Romans 8:28 NASB, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration. It says, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, if you are uncomfortable and fretting, stop worrying and being anxious. Instead, plant your feet and know that God is bringing something good out of this. He is allowing you to walk on this bumpy road because it is, in fact, your road to destiny.
I believe that one of the greatest blessings you have ever received is coming from one of the hardest trials you’ve ever endured. Have faith in the Lord’s sovereign plan.
Now let’s pray.
God, I don’t understand why I have to walk down this path or take this route. Yet, I trust Your plan for me. I know You will bring something wonderful out of this situation, no matter how bad it looks today. Thank You for taking the broken pieces of my life and putting them back together again in the most beautiful way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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