Written by Danielle Hage
READ
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
All things work together for good. Did you experience circumstances or situations in 2015 that tested your faith in this verse? In Judges 6, Gideon was guided by God to lead Israel in a victory. When God gave Gideon the instruction to save Israel, Gideon questioned why so many bad things had happened to him and his people and how, even, they would see a victory with his weak clan. Gideon had God on his side, and could not understand all the works He had done on Gideon’s behalf, but He worked all things together for good, or in Gideon’s situation, a victory to save his people. (Judges 6:11-16)
It would have been easy for Gideon to author his story based on the chapters he had already experienced in his life, chapters of loss and weakness. When God talked to Gideon, Gideon actually questioned God’s direction and tried to disqualify himself from victory, or what God wanted to do through him.
Further Reading:
Judges 6:11-16 (NKJV) “Gideon”
REFLECT
Your life, or your story, is made up of many chapters. Each individual chapter is not the complete story. No matter what chapter you’re in, don’t lose sight of the whole story. The victories that God has for you won’t always be in your best chapter. When Jesus was crucified on the cross and He proclaimed, it is finished, He was in His worst chapter. What He proclaimed was that it was finished, not He was finished. Start a new chapter and name it, identify it, and move forward with the incredible things God wants to do through you.
RESPOND
Identify a new chapter in your life. What is God speaking to you about what He wants to do through you in this new chapter as He authors your story? Are you having to trust Him that all your previous chapters will work together for good to fulfill His purpose in your life? Respond in the comments below.
We recommend you keep a journal of your personal responses to questions posed in each of the daily devotionals so you can meditate not only during the first 21 days during your prayer time, but you can reflect throughout the entire year to be able to see how God has really moved on your behalf in 2016 and you have record of your testimony