My pastor has been preaching through 1 & 2 Kings for a while now. The past couple of Sunday’s have been eye-opening lessons about how God “thwarts” the plans of the enemy. I have found myself on the edge of my seat, furiously scribbling notes and trying to catch every word – I NEED to hear this one! It is so easy to become wrapped up in the anxiety of the times, worried over the “what-ifs” of the day. I am a natural worrier – especially over my children – and I sometimes forget that God is in control.
Here are a couple of nuggets of precious hope I have gleaned in the recent weeks:
He (God) thwarts the plans of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness and the schemes of the wily are swept away. Job 5:12-13
People do plan wicked things. Sometimes, others do not have my best interest at heart. BUT – I can trust that God DOES have my best interest at heart.
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
This is a verse I know by heart – but sometimes I don’t believe it in my heart. I find myself wondering if God really meant this for me. It doesn’t always feel like He is giving me a hope and prospering me – but that is because I don’t see the big picture!
My pastor often reminds us that, “If God allows a wicked (painful, difficult, hard to understand) plan to succeed, it is so the best possible outcome by the best possible means achieves the highest results.” (I hope I quoted that correctly!)
I can trust that my messes and my hard times have purpose and will not be wasted!
If you – like me – find yourself in the midst of impossible situations and hopeless times, I would strongly encourage you to read the story we studied this week in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20. The people were without hope and did not think they would survive. When the king expressed this to Elisha, the prophet encouraged him to wait “one more day” to see God’s provision. The king did wait and he was not disappointed. God is faithful!
In my notes, I highlighted, “When I am empty of me that is when God shows up BIG!”
Here is the verse I am camping on this week:
What is impossible with man is possible with God. Luke 28:27