Sometimes, we tend to think that God has forgotten about us, especially when we are going through hardships, false accusations, plots meant to harm us, discrimination, hatred of people, etc. My brother, my sister, do you realise that Jesus Christ went through all that… though He had never sinned like you? Yet, the Bible says “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross” (Acts 2:23). In other Words, God knew what would happen to Jesus, because it was His prearranged plan that Jesus was going to be betrayed and crucified for us to be redeemed today. What does this teach us? Simply that every bad things that we suffer is not an attack of the enemy. Sometimes God’s plans for your life has to take you through the furnace, betrayals, false accusations, abandonment, etc. And His plans will not be disrupted either by your cries, your discouragement or anyone’s attempt to nail you down. What a comfort then, to know that when facing oppression or hardships, God’s hand is carrying through all that.
Now, let’s make this clear: unfortunately, many people do not pass the test of such difficulties, because they refuse them, they reject them or see the devil or someone they know behind them. My friend, such attitude hinders God’s hand from acting to get you out of the turmoil. Remember, Job, even though he lost everything, his trust in the Lord remained, and God restored him. Remember Joseph, who never abandoned God after being betrayed by his brothers and falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife. Now look at Jesus, even though the cross was unbearable, he ended by saying: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). My friend, if you really trust in God and believe that it is in control of everything that happens in your life, then you surely know that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Now, allow me to emphasize the end of this verse: “ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE,” not according to YOUR plans… which means that some of the bad things we are experiencing are not according to His purpose, because we sometimes draw evil on us wanting to do our own wil! Even when you mess up things, know that your life is still under God’s control… but He will now wait for you to first take an action that shows Him you have understood your mistakes and learnt your disobedience. That action is simple and summarised on this verse: “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Yes, no matter what kind of difficulties or problems you’re going through today, know that where you see the sea, God sees a drop of water. However there are only two avenues: either your situation is under the control of God and He will lead you towards the end according to His purpose and His calendar or OR you have put yourself into it and all you have to do now is to repent, go back to where your took control and surrender things to the will of God in order to see changes in your life according to His purpose. Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.