|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "Only Trust Him"1 (Lyrics) |
Romans 8:28 – And 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. (NLT)
Just trust God, and everything will work out for the good.
The Porters were college friends with whom we had a common bond: we were both from South Carolina; they also had two small children who were close in age to our two, one of which was our daughter's "boyfriend".
As so often happens, we lost track of them after graduation. Several years later, I received devastating news: their daughter had been killed. Riding a bicycle — which was a little too large for her — she rolled into the path of an oncoming truck, was struck, and died from the impact. Our family was stunned … and heartbroken. When I called to express my sympathies, the mom — with a broken voice — said, "We're just trusting God to get us through this."
I've heard enough religious platitudes in my lifetime to fill a small book, some of them biblical, some of them not, some well-timed, some ill-timed. Telling someone to trust God and everything will work out for the good happens to be true. How, when, and where I say it, however, should be carefully considered.
Everything that comes into my life won't be good. I've also experienced enough regretful things to fill a book. Actually, they have — several, in fact. Having good things happen continuously wouldn't necessarily cause me to trust God more. When things go well all the time, I have a tendency to trust myself instead of God. Bad things turn my focus on Him. Some turn a bitter focus, but others — myself included — turn a longing focus: a longing to know why and a longing to know how I should respond.
As I look back on the unfortunate things that I've experienced, I also see how God brought good from them. The lessons that I learned when I responded correctly are innumerable. My trust level in God rose, as did my degree of faith. Since the consequences of bad events tend to hang around — sometimes for years — I've been continually able to see God bringing good things from bad circumstances.
God is a good God who wants His children to experience good things — even if they have to come through unpleasant circumstances.
Let each of us trust God to manufacture good out of the bad times in our lives.
Prayer: Father, we have faith that You will turn the bad in our life into good that will spur us on to spiritual growth and bring glory to Your name. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Thursday, September 21, 2023 – Worldwide — International Day of Prayer for Peace — Pray for our brothers and sisters in so many countries in the world where they are being persecuted, imprisoned, and killed for their faith. Pray that their faith will stand strong in the face of adversity.
Broken friendship-CB: "September 21,2023. Please pray for the restoration of a lifelong friendship. Their friendship has..." 
Please pray for Shawn: "September 21, 2023. Shawn has struggled to breathe for many years and is in the hospital again..." 
Mrs--a former devotional writer: "September 21,2023. I humbly request healing prayers, I am having some very serious health problems..." 
Thanks Martin!
Thanks for the reminder. Blessings.
Thanks for that! Something I needed to hear.
“Just trust” are 2 very hard words. Often it’s a long path to get there.
Trust. Often harder said than done. Something I seek to do more and more with each passing day – just trust. God is good all the time.
Thanks for this devotion.
Trust in God is the key, the trouble is we don’t listen and so don’t do our part correctly.
I’m speaking from experience. Seeking guidance is a critical part of the trust process.
Thanks for sharing.
Hi Martin,
Thank you for writing the devotional about trusting. There are indeed times when things don’t go well, but then turn out good anyway, when we least expect it.
Blessings.
Thank you, Martin, for writing, as you always do, from the heart, and for passing on the wisdom with which the Lord has blessed you, through those experiences. It is an encouragement.
Blessings in Christ.
(BC)
Hi Martin,
This devotional is very timely for me as I am facing serious surgery and am continually reminding myself that my Lord is in control. It also offers me the opportunity to share this fact with my friends when they sometimes express words of concern for me. I continually turn everything over to Him, especially when the enemy tries to plant the seed of fear and anxiety in my mind.
The words, “I will trust and not be afraid” are my comfort and my assurance.
Thanks Martin.
The wisdom, patience, and courage of which you speak is greatly needed especially at this time. Recently, my wife was diagnosed with cancer. She has endured the needed surgery and has moved through radiation treatments which are very unpleasant. Another person close to us is also going through chemotherapy and radiation.
It has taken a huge toll, both physically and emotionally!
The least, and most, that we can do is to lift them up in prayer and walk the recovery path with them. Also, we must believe that with God (Jesus) all things ARE possible, even “beating” cancer!
Blessings.
Dear Martin Wiles,
I enjoyed the first paragraph and the prayer most.
I pray for people who have suffered, and continue to suffer, great adversities, that they will know that God suffered too – the loss of his only Son – and is with them in their sorrow to give them joy as well.
Keep writing.