"How
blessed is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the
highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca [weeping] they make
it a spring" (Ps. 84:5-6).
Has
the enemy isolated you, causing you to doubt God's love? Do not forget,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Even the hairs on your
head are numbered. He cares. It is His love for us that redeems our
hardships, which not only brings good out of what was meant for evil but
also trains us to deliver others.
Consider
Joseph. He was the second youngest of Jacob's sons and his father's
favorite. His walk with God began with dreams and visions. Joseph's life
is a pattern for many who have had a genuine call from God. Our walk
with God may also have begun with a "travel brochure" of dreams and
visions where God gives us a picture of His destination for us. What we
fail to see is the route to the fulfillment of God's promises.
Joseph
was betrayed by his brothers and delivered up by them to die. He was
unjustly accused when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him. He was
imprisoned and forgotten by all except God, who was patiently watching
and measuring Joseph's reactions to difficulty.
Rich
or poor, blessed or smitten, regardless of his circumstances, Joseph
served God. He continued to pass his tests. Joseph was on trial before
men, but he was found innocent before God.
Finally,
at the right moment, the Lord suddenly connected all the loose ends of
Joseph's life. Everything that he went through, as unfair as each thing
was, God used to shape him for Heaven’s purpose.
God
alone sees the future and how the promises He gives us will unfold. Our
task is to lay hold of Christ’s integrity and keep faith in what God
has promised. Just as He allowed Joseph to go through many trials, so He
allows us to go through great conflicts as well. For He knows that our
lives, tested as they are, will help others find the shelter of the Most
High in their lives.
“Joseph
named the firstborn Manasseh, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me forget
all my trouble and all my father's household'" (Gen. 41:51). God caused
Joseph to forget the difficulty and pain of his life. There is something
wonderful about the Lord's capacity to cause all things to work for
good. With Jesus in our lives, a time ultimately comes when God causes
us to forget all the troubles of the past.
"He named the second Ephraim, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'" (Gen. 41:52).
God
made Joseph fruitful in the very land of his affliction -- and in the
land of your affliction, in your battle, is the place where God will
make you fruitful. Ultimately, the Lord will touch many others with the
substance of what you have gained. In a world that is superficial,
Christ will produce something in you that is deep and living.
God
has not promised to keep us from valleys and sufferings, but He has
promised to make us fruitful in them. Without a doubt we each will pass
through valleys before we reach our final goal in God. As we remain
faithful to Him in trials, the character and nature of Christ Jesus will
emerge in our lives.
Lord,
You are God of the mountains and the valleys. I know that Your
faithfulness is my shield and my bulwark. Thank You for redeeming the
conflicts of my life; I praise You for healing me and causing me to
forget all the trauma of my past. Now, Lord, help me to help others as
well.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This word was adapted from a chapter in Pastor Frangipane's book, The Shelter of the Most High. This book, plus its companion audio series, is available this week at 40% off. Available in both print and ebook versions.
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