Elder Ted Myers: Morning Devotion 09/02/22
Friday, September 2, 2022
Ship wrecked according to God’s plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Jeremiah 29:11
Does God allow events to happen in our lives to get our attention or to bring us in to a closer relationship with Him? I felt lead to touch on this topic this morning and I know it can be a tough subject because it is hard to think God would allow bad things to come into to our lives that cause havoc or destruction.
God is not the author of evil in the world, Satan is! We find in many circumstances God shelters and protects us from the evil attacks of the enemy on our lives. Sometimes He takes us straight through the storm, for a purpose we cannot see at the time, but will be revealed later. God always has purpose and a hope through the storms that we experience, however difficult it may be. He is always faithful to bring greater good out of it.
You don’t have to look far or talk to many people to draw the conclusion that there is a lot of hurt in our midst. This hurt can be found in many ways in our lives or those around us. I would guess that we have all been hurt or gotten bad news at different times in our life. In this world, if you live long enough, the storms could come multiple times and different ways that rock our lives to our core. The question to ask is; are we in relationship with God to allow Him to guide and stir our path or are we just in denial that God could be in this with me?
In Acts chapter 27, the apostle Paul finds himself on his way to appear before Caesar in a ship full of other prisoners for preaching the Gospel. Their departure time is in the winter and in these seas is not a good season to be sailing. Paul had an angel of the Lord appear to him and said “don’t be afraid Paul, you must be brought before Caesar. God has granted you and all those sailing with you no loss of life”. Paul knew he had to go through a shipwreck to be right where God wanted him to serve and proclaim the Gospel.
In Genesis chapter 37, we find Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery; but through God’s protection Joseph was pulled from slavery and rose to prominence in Pharaoh’s rule. Joseph was able to provide food and housing for his family that cast him out to the be a slave. His bad situation caused by the brothers worked out for good in the end.
In the 5th century at age 16, the now famous St. Patrick was kidnapped by pirates and taken from his British homeland to Ireland where he was sold into slavery. He worked in the fields as a shepherd for 6 years under terrible and harsh conditions, until God miraculously provided a way of escape. As difficult as that time was for him, where he faced loneliness, hunger, freezing temperature, and pain, that is where he met God, and found a deep closeness in His presence through prayer and meditation.
After time back home and seeking Gods direction for his life, St. Patrick felt strongly led back to Ireland. He knew God brought him there and he had a burden on his heart to share Christ with the lost nation.
History tells us that thousands were saved. Revival broke out among this pagan country and lives were changed, as many came to know Christ as Lord and Savior.
I could share more lives present and past that have had bad things happen in their lives but have come through the storm with a testimony of God’s redeeming love for their lives.
Genesis 50:20 “as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today”.
I don’t know where you are today, but my guess is that you or a family member are in or have traveled through a storm or some resemblance of a crisis. Whether this is a marriage crisis, wayward kids, illness, depression or whatever the circumstance you face in this season of life, know this…. God will meet you where you are and turn it around for good. He is faithful to His Word. Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. As promised, God will walk with you through this season of darkness. Many lives may be affected for the sake of God’s kingdom because of your difficult season of struggle.
Be mindful, the most difficult times we walk through can feel like captivity to our hearts, minds, and body. If you find yourself here today, rest assured that if you are seeking out to God for His presence in your life, He will walk through this with you. Eventually, His whole plan for this season will be revealed and understood, all though not always this side of eternity. He gives Hope and Purpose in our current circumstances.
Keep in mind, Jesus came into this world to save us from our sins. To accomplish this, He did this through His obedience to His Father (God). In doing so, He came and lived a life of a man on earth and walked among those of His day. History records His life on earth was not easy for Him. The biggest take away that we can learn from Jesus is that He spent time in Prayer and solitude seeking His Father’s will. He drew strength from God to walk freely to the cross for our transgressions.
I encourage you, whether this finds you in a good season or a stormy season of life, praise God for where you are and lean into Jesus’ teachings. Allow Him to stir and engage you through His Holy Spirit.
There is a scripture I like to cling to and that is
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path”.
Elder Ted Myers
