The apostle Peter was devastated by the death of Jesus on the cross - he had lost all hope.
But three days later the impossible happened - he saw Jesus again.
This makes me think about hope and hopelessness. And God.
It encourages me to wait in prayer for God to move. Even if it means waiting until after I die.
I believe our view of God is very important in prayer.
I cling to the truth of Romans 8:28: "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
In this passage, the apostle Paul doesn't specify what kind of good we can expect. But we can be sure it will be good for us - even if we find out what it was after our death.
Take Paul himself as an example.
He suffered greatly in life as he spoke for Christ in many places around the Mediterranean Sea. But God delivered him repeatedly from the edge of death. Until he didn't.
Paul knew before his final journey to Rome to stand before the Roman emperor for judgement that he would die. But he went obediently.
Paul died - history says he was crucified for his faith. But he left a legacy of faith that rings throughout the ages.
My guess is that none of us will have that kind of impact. But living with faith and trust in God will have an eternal impact, no matter what.
That faith and love may touch someone's life that you may be unaware of.
It may be that the person you pray for seems hopeless when you last see him or her. But amazingly, God works in that person's life and you will find out in eternity.
One of the great prayer warriors, George Muller, prayed seemingly unsuccessfully for a friend to become a follower of God for more than 60 years. That person became a believer at Muller's graveside.
I have pointed to extreme examples. But we can be sure that waiting before God in hope will be rewarded often in our everyday lives if we trust him to bring good out of seemingly hopeless circumstances.
I write this to encourage myself.
I believe this to be true because God says it.
And he has proved it throughout history.
But three days later the impossible happened - he saw Jesus again.
This makes me think about hope and hopelessness. And God.
It encourages me to wait in prayer for God to move. Even if it means waiting until after I die.
I believe our view of God is very important in prayer.
I cling to the truth of Romans 8:28: "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."
In this passage, the apostle Paul doesn't specify what kind of good we can expect. But we can be sure it will be good for us - even if we find out what it was after our death.
Take Paul himself as an example.
He suffered greatly in life as he spoke for Christ in many places around the Mediterranean Sea. But God delivered him repeatedly from the edge of death. Until he didn't.
Paul knew before his final journey to Rome to stand before the Roman emperor for judgement that he would die. But he went obediently.
Paul died - history says he was crucified for his faith. But he left a legacy of faith that rings throughout the ages.
My guess is that none of us will have that kind of impact. But living with faith and trust in God will have an eternal impact, no matter what.
That faith and love may touch someone's life that you may be unaware of.
It may be that the person you pray for seems hopeless when you last see him or her. But amazingly, God works in that person's life and you will find out in eternity.
One of the great prayer warriors, George Muller, prayed seemingly unsuccessfully for a friend to become a follower of God for more than 60 years. That person became a believer at Muller's graveside.
I have pointed to extreme examples. But we can be sure that waiting before God in hope will be rewarded often in our everyday lives if we trust him to bring good out of seemingly hopeless circumstances.
I write this to encourage myself.
I believe this to be true because God says it.
And he has proved it throughout history.
No comments:
Post a Comment