I remember a quote from Erma Bombeck. You'll remember her from the seventies. She said, "If life is a bowl of cherries, why am I aways in the pits?" A lot of us can relate. That's what made Mrs. Bombeck so popular. She was famous for her witty way of stating the obvious.
God is famous for stating the not-so-obvious. It is He, Jehovah God, our father, who through the Holy Spirit, inspired Paul to write, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28.
Unfortunately, that verse does not not mean that everything that happens to us is good. Quite the contrary. It doesn't even mean that all things work together for good for everyone. It means He uses whatever the circumstances are to work for those who love Him, the ones He called for His purpose.
So, we have to trust Him even when we don't feel like it, even when we cannot see any way that He can make things good. Trust, it all comes down to trusting Him and being patient for His perfect will and His perfect timing.
So, next time I'm pitting cherries again, I'll remember that He is Good all the time, not just when we're eating the cherry jam.
Trust and Obey for there's no other way...to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.
Blessings,
Laura
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May I suggest?
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And another thoughtful post!
ReplyDeleteI first heard of this verse when I was a teenager and a friend of mine was in a coma. His mom used it to help comfort everyone. She said that regardless of what happened, God was going to use it all and there was a purpose. Thanks for sharing!
Good reminder to us all!
ReplyDeleteNice devotional and I remember the old hymn..Trust and Obey. Have a great week. Visiting from Amaze Me Monday.
ReplyDeleteThere's no other way, Babs!
ReplyDeleteThere was a cassette tape the children loved listening to when they were young and one of the songs used this verse ... today when I hear this verse my heart is flooded with so many memories of them dancing around and singing! Such a simple verse, and oh so true! Thanks so much for sharing at AMAZE ME MONDAY...
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cindy
ReplyDeleteGlad it reminded you of a sweet memory, Cindy.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Laura
Cherries, they will be in season soon, yum! That verse is one of the best, it's a comfort, especially when things are difficult, to know that it all works together for my good, I can be saved in it all! It works for the good, because when things are hard, it brings out my sin (impatience, worry, being offended maybe...), then I can truly follow Jesus, and overcome like He did! Also, I loved Erma!
ReplyDeleteDella
Hi Della,
DeleteI never thought of that verse that way, but you're right. We get lots of opportunities to course correct, don't we?
Blessings,
Laura
P.S. I'll be over for a blog visit in just a bit.
Well said, Miss Laura.
ReplyDeleteAmen. Only HE knows HiS ways. ❤️
ReplyDeleteThis is funny but I think you will understand. What came to mind while reading this was a Budweiser commercial several years ago where there is a puppy and a wolf threatens it but one of the Clydesdales walks up behind the puppy and scares the wolf away. God seems to work like that. Even when we don't know, He's there protecting us :-)
ReplyDeleteOh yes! I remember that commercial. It was wonderful. Obviously I don't like Budweiser, but they have made some wonderful commercials.
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