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We should always trust that God has our best interest in mind at all times.
Whatever we go through in life, we must have faith that God is with us and
is working all things for our good. We should never allow the enemy to
infiltrate our thinking and make us doubt God's power to intervene. Faith
must be shown with action. The Bible says faith without works is dead.
Having faith also requires us to believe that we will receive what we don't
presently see. The Bible declares in Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the
substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Be
encouraged to trust that God will work all things for your good. Never
allow yourself to murmur and complain when troubles come your way, but
rather use that energy to give thanks and praise to God that He is with
you. Remember, God promised that He would never leave you nor forsake you.
Trust Him. (Romans 8:28) (James 2:20) (Habakkuk 3:17-19) (Hebrews 13:5-6)
I hope this message inspires your heart to trust God at all times. Things
may not be going perfectly in our lives, but if we trust the Lord and have
faith that He is with us, All things will work out for our good.
THE PEBBLES
Many years ago in a small village, a farmer had the misfortune of owing a
large sum of money to a village moneylender.
The moneylender, who was an awful, mean man, fancied the farmer's beautiful
daughter. Since the farmer was unable to pay the debt, the moneylender
proposed a deal.
He said he would forgo the farmer's debt if he could marry his daughter.
Both the farmer and his daughter were horrified by the proposal. So the
cunning money-lender suggested that they let providence decide the matter.
He told them that he would put a black pebble and a white pebble into an
empty money bag.
Then the girl would have to pick one pebble from the bag.
1. If she picked the black pebble, she would become his wife and her
father's debt would be forgiven.
2. If she picked the white pebble she need not marry him and her
father's debt would still be forgiven.
3. But if she refused to pick a pebble, her father would be thrown
into jail.
They were standing on a pebble strewn path in the farmer's field. As they
talked, the moneylender bent over to pick up two pebbles. As he picked them
up, the sharp-eyed girl noticed that he had picked up two black pebbles and
hurriedly put them into the bag. He then told the girl to pick a pebble
from the bag.
Now, imagine that you were standing in the field.
What would you have done if you were the girl?
If you had to advise her, what would you have told her?
Careful analysis would produce three possibilities:
1. The girl should refuse to take a pebble.
2. The girl should show that there were two black pebbles in the bag
and expose the money-lender as a cheat.
3. The girl should pick a black pebble and sacrifice herself in order
to save her father from his debt and imprisonment.
Take a moment to ponder over the story. The above story is used with the
hope that it will help us appreciate the difference between lateral and
logical thinking. The girl's dilemma cannot be solved with traditional
logical thinking. Think of the consequences if she chooses the above
logical answers.
What would you recommend to the Girl to do?
Well, here is what she did...
The girl put her hand into the moneybag and drew out a pebble. Without
looking at it, she fumbled and let it fall onto the pebble-strewn path
where it immediately became lost among all the other pebbles.
“Oh, how clumsy of me,” she said. “But never mind, if you look into the bag
for the one that is left, you will be able to tell which pebble I picked.”
Since the remaining pebble is black, it is reasonable to assume that she
had picked the white one. And since the money-lender dared not admit his
dishonesty, the girl changed what seemed an impossible situation into an
extremely favorable one for herself and her father.
Author Unknown
In the same way that this girl found a way to work things out in her favor,
the Lord has ways of bringing a resolution to our situations that sometimes
seem impossible. We need to trust that God thinks outside the box and His
ways are much higher and better than ours can ever be. When difficult
situations frustrate you and tempt you to worry, you should remember that
God Almighty created the heavens and the earth and all that is within it.
He has the answer to our every problem. There is nothing too hard for God.
Trust Him with every area of your life and sleep soundly showing God that
your confidence is in Him. (James 1:2-8) (Isaiah 55:6-9) (Jeremiah 32:17-27)
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Psalm 34:1-4 “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall
continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the
humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and
let us exalt His name together. I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and
delivered me from all my fears.”
Jeremiah 29:11-14 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith
the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will
hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search
for Me with all your heart. And I will be found of you, saith the LORD...”
Proverbs 3:5-8 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart
from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
Philippians 4:4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let
your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for
nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: YOU STILL HAVE HOPE
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem62.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: THE LORD ALWAYS PROVIDES
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony184.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
