Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “A prosperous life”
Our Bible verse for today: “He comforts us in our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:4 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Give it to God.”
Yesterday we considered the terrible predicament the prophet Jeremiah was in. The city of Jerusalem had been overrun by enemies and was lying in rubble. Most of the people had been taken off into captivity. Jeremiah and the Jews were at the lowest point of their lives and there seemed to be no hope. But in the middle of it all Jeremiah penned one of the greatest statements of hope and faith found in the Bible. You can read it in Lamentations 3:22-26. God has then used those words of Jeremiah, written in the middle of tremendous despair, to be a source of hope and encouragement for countless millions of people down through the ages.
In 2 Corinthians 1:4 the Apostle Paul writes in a similar vein and for a similar purpose. There we find one of the keys to living a life of purpose and hope even in the midst of adversity and struggle. Paul essentially tells us to take our eyes off of ourselves and our own troubles, give the situation to God, and ask Him to redeem our circumstances in such a way that He can use them for His purposes and as a means of blessing others. When we do that not only do we bless and help others, but our own situation improves because our attitude about it improves.
As a Pastor a big part of my ministry consists of entering into other people’s difficult life situations. I can tell you from personal observation in hundreds of cases that there is a big difference between those who are completely self-absorbed and focused on themselves and their own problems, and those who have surrendered their situation to God and invited Him to use it for His purposes. I’m thinking of sick and dying people who remain upbeat and positive, and who are a blessing to those God has sent to care for them – such as nurses and doctors.
I’m thinking of people who have lost their job and view it as an opportunity for God to bring them into something new and better. I’m thinking of cancer survivors who now visit with and assist others who are battling the disease.
Our deepest struggles in life can become opportunities for God to bless us and others – if we surrender the situation to Him in faith and with a willingness to be used by Him for good purposes. Whatever it is you are dealing with today, give it to God and ask Him to redeem it by using it for His good purposes.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 