Mar 18 Devotion: The Message of a Lifetime

10).  But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  11).  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.  12).  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.  13).  But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth.  14).  For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him.

                                         JOB 23: 10-14 (KJV)

If we’re not careful, our life can be full of disappointment!  Instead of being believers with a message full of hope, we can find ourselves with nothing to offer but a bit of regret. Yet God’s good news is meant to nourish and sustain us.

If the Lord is building a valuable message into our life, then we must receive everything that comes our way as being from Him. When a bad event passes through God’s permissive will to affect us, He will bring good from it. Oftentimes, a person can share a word of hope more effectively if he or she has first suffered.  When we are hurting, we seek comfort from people who have faced similar pain. Likewise, others will trust our comfort if we have known loss or disappointment.

Whatever the circumstances, we should be evaluating what God is doing in us. When we look for His purposes and lessons, we hasten the time when our life message reflects the hope that’s available in Christ Jesus.

-IBC