God Has a Plan at Work

Beloved, it is important that you realize others are watching your life and being influenced by your behavior. So, I ask, how are you behaving? Are your children being established in Christ as they observe your walk? Are less mature Christians being inspired to know him better because of your testimony? Are sinners being drawn to Jesus because of your loving responses? When you encounter challenges in your daily walk, are you quick to yield to the Holy Spirit? Or do you complain and blame and eventually become cold toward your heavenly Father?

All your trials are designed to throw you into the arms of Jesus, producing in you the sweet aroma of trust and faith in your Lord. We have a tendency to forget all the good things God has done for us, so it is good to remind ourselves of past victories and divine intervention. Or we may think that the latest challenge is just too severe, and we say, “Oh, God, this time it’s too much for me to endure.” And God replies, “Simply look back and remember me.” This is what David did before he went out and defeated the giant Philistine.

“Moreover David said, ‘The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine’” (1 Samuel 17:37).

At another time David said, “[The Lord] also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness” (Psalm 18:19-20).

 If you ever feel like you are being chastened by God, rest assured it is because he delights in you and he has a plan at work. “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).