Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Chronicles 20:17 ESV
Isaiah 40:31 ESV
Psalm 34:17 ESV
From the Jar
There have been times in my life when God’s blessing has come from very unexpected sources.
See, I’ve thought that God decides to bless us and something really good happens and that’s the blessing.
That makes sense, doesn’t it?
But what about this…somebody treats you really bad and tells lies about you and people gossip about you. You cry and pray and cry and pray and in the end you look like you’re the guilty party.
You did everything right. You didn’t tell lies about the person who has treated you badly. You didn’t spread gossip about them.
You did not retaliate. But in the end you still look bad. You still look like you did all of the bad things they accused you of…but you didn’t do any of it.
You go to God and ask, “what happened here?”
You wait for an answer but you don’t get one.
People who used to be your friend still glare at you when you run into them at the supermarket.
It’s very hurtful.
In Romans 12:2 the very wise Apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Paul advised the members of the church in Rome they are not OF this world, so don’t conform to this world.
He was telling them, “Don’t DO what everyone else is doing.” Do NOT be Satan’s pawn. It might be the easy way out, but in the end you will be the big loser.
Paul reminded them (and us today) that regardless of what had been said about them they need to keep their eyes on Jesus so that God can transform them by renewing their mind.
We can only overcome when we keep our eyes on Jesus.
Wait on God.
Let God test you.
Ouch! Did Paul really say that?
That’s really hard stuff when someone has told lies about you and they’re spreading gossip about you that isn’t true. Shouldn’t I be able to defend myself?
Where is my day in court?
Paul goes on to say that the testing will make it possible for you to pray and listen to God so you can determine the will of God.
While the bully (or bullies) are spreading malicious lies about you, you’re going to be praying and asking God to show you HIS way.
Paul ends Romans 12:2 by saying by praying and NOT fighting back you will be able to really know what is good and what is acceptable to God and what is perfect.
I can tell you from personal experience how much it hurts to be on the receiving end of lies and gossip that isn’t true.
But, I can also tell you that when you take the high road, pray and wait, you will be the big winner.
You may have lost all the battles but you will win the war.
I know that doesn’t make any sense at all. Logistically you cannot win a war when you lose every battle. But if you stick with God and let God fight for you, that’s exactly what will happen.
In 2 Chronicles 20:17 we learn, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”
God will fight FOR us.
The Prophet Isaiah wrote in Isaiah 40:31, “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Wait for God.
In Psalm 34:17 David wrote, “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”
God will hear the righteous and deliver them.
While my deliverance didn’t come as I expected, I was the victor. Even though my name had been smeared and smudged, in the end I did win the battle. Quite frankly I was shocked at what happened in the end. Without lifting a finger I was made to look like I was totally innocent.
I didn’t lift a finger to make that happen. I didn’t speak one word to defend myself.
I simply prayed and waited on God. I lost every battle but I won the war. God heard my prayer and it was God who delivered me.
It was the will of God. It was good and acceptable and perfect. It was a great blessing!
Today’s Spiritual Practice is: Be Transformed
Do not conform to this world. Pray and let God transform you. And BE blessed!
In God, Deborah
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