Psalm 18:20: "The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD. I have not done evil by turning from my God."
Although we are not in control of circumstances that befall us, we are in complete control of how we respond to those circumstances. Painful situations will arise as we journey through this life; still, we must resolve to live lives of obedience to God despite our circumstances. We can be assured that God is honored when we are faithful to Him during the perilous times; in fact, I believe that our responses during the difficult experiences of life reveal who we really are. Talk is cheap. We all are able to say the "righteous" things when the going is good; it's when our lives are heaped in tragedy and turmoil that our responses tell us much about ourselves.
This passage of Scripture cited above was one of great comfort to me during my own separation and divorce years ago. Although I never desired to experience this painful ordeal, I knew that I was not able to change the mind of a departing wife. I also recognized that I was at a crossroad in my life. I knew that I could have become bitter at God for allowing the painful circumstances, or I could have fallen into the arms of God and cried out for His comfort and peace. Thankfully through the help of the Holy Spirit, I chose the latter. I knew that if I would choose to be obedient to My Lord, despite my circumstances, He would be glorified and would bless me for my faithfulness to Him.
Fifteen years later, I truly can see the hand of Divine blessing upon my life for the "cleanness of my hands" during this painful trial. God has introduced to me a new, wonderful wife who loves the Lord and is a blessing to me and my children. God has also opened the door of ministry opportunity for me, that I might be a support to many people who are experiencing the pain of separation and divorce. I never would have imagined that God would have done such a work in my life. Amazingly, God has directed my path in such a way that I've been able to turn tragedy into triumphant ministry.
As you read this devotion, you may be going through a painful ordeal yourself. It may be packaged differently than the one I have just described about myself, but it is no less real and no less painful. The one truth that you can apply to your situation, irrespective of your circumstance, is that God will honor your faithful obedience to Him.
I never have met a person who has chosen to be obedient to the Lord and later regretted it. Don't let your circumstances control you to the point that you become embittered at the Lord and decide not to follow Him. Rather, seek the Lord during your painful trial and let Him bring restoration to you through His mighty, healing power. You may not understand why you are traversing the valley of your painful experience, but you can lean on the everlasting arms of your Loving Lord. You can be honest with Him and tell Him that you need His guidance, love, and peace through your trial . . . . He's a big enough God to handle anything you throw His way. If you seek the Lord while in the midst of your suffering, rest assured that God will work supernaturally to bring renewed joy to your soul . . . . and He will bless you for your faithfulness to Him.
May God richly bless you as you strive to be all that you can be for Our Lord and His glorious Kingdom!
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