- Rev. John Wagner
Rev. John Wagner (click picture to listen to message) shares some realities that can bring us out of our gloomiest periods.
Genesis 42[36] And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children : Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away : all these things are against me.
Romans 8[26] Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. … [31] What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Jacob was deceived and so often are we in times of greatest elation but even more so in periods of grief. Jacob assumed the worst was coming and so have you in view of apparent mishaps, delays and disappointments. Like Jacob, you conclude wrongly that God is repaying you evil for all the mischief of early years. Jacob thought he had lost Joseph and was about to lose more of his children. But is God struggling to fulfil His promises made at Luz in the land of Canaan when He said in Genesis 35 [11] And God said unto him, I am God Almighty: be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;
Paul in similar discomfort said the exact opposite … calling his challenges “these things” because he saw realities which Jacob could not see as clearly. Jacob was not thinking nor responding right. Your pessimism can be helped with the following truths.
- Gloom blinds us to the present blessings of God and forgets what God had done in the past. We focus on the problem and do not see present blessings and answers to prayers. Pessimism exaggerates problems and imagines none has overcome in similar situations. We blame one another and those nearest to us. In reality we are deceived and all are working for us.
- God has not left us alone and knows us well and helps our many weaknesses, frailties and infirmities. Our walk, prayers and best devotions are plagued with infirmities known well to God…and we are not left alone without assistance. We have comfort and help in the Holy Spirit and God’s ministering angels.
- God’s purpose will not be frustrated. Ours often must be. The blueprint of God is going according to plan…your blueprint is not. Do well to remind yourself that you are not God and God is right on target and has not missed one beat.
- God is for us and therefore we will not be defeated and cannot experience frustration. Satan is frustrated over you and your children. Satan knows you and your family are coming out of bondage. In Christ we can sing “…my sin not in part but the whole is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more – praise the Lord O my soul..It is well.”
- God will give us all that we ever need freely. If He did not spare Jesus His son in the hands of wicked men to get us…then would He not freely give us all things to be objects of His glory and love. What He does not give is what we do not need. His greatest acts of mercy are in His holding back the things we long the most for.
- God will defend us against all the accusations of hell. He justifies us with His righteousness and finds no case against us – Christ having answered every case with His blood. God will never condemn us because Christ has already been judged for us.
- There is no time when God will stop loving you…who can separate us from the love of God? Nothing created can. You think you are not so lovable unlike others … but God will never stop loving you. God cannot help Himself but love us if we are in Christ Jesus. Everything He does is because He loves you and working out His plans to fruition.
Jacob assumed all was lost concerning him and his children… but he was so wrong. His son was a prince…a governor… Jacob could not believe it.
Genesis 45 [26] And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob’s heart fainted, for he believed them not.
Get ready for a pleasant surprise concerning your sons and daughters… indeed in areas you have become pessimistic – and now expecting the worst.
God bless you.
Bode
