ODB: Grace-filled Waiting
December 27, 2011
There’s no better time to praise God than right now.
READ: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18
We do not lose heart. —2 Corinthians 4:16
Roger lost his job due to the company being downsized. For months he searched, applied for jobs, prayed, asked others to pray, and trusted God. Roger and his wife Jerrie’s emotions fluctuated though. They saw God provide for them in unexpected ways and experienced His grace, but sometimes they worried that a job would never come. For 15 long months, they waited.
Then Roger had three interviews with a company, and a week later the employment agency called and said, “Have you heard the saying, ‘Sometimes clouds have a silver lining’? Well, you’ve got the job!” Jerrie told me later, “We wouldn’t trade this hard experience for anything. It brought us closer together and closer to the Lord.” Friends who had prayed rejoiced and gave thanks to God.
Paul wanted the Corinthian church to see the grace of God at work in his life, which could cause “thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God” (2 Cor. 4:15). His trials were so severe that he was “hard pressed on every side,” “perplexed,” “persecuted,” and “struck down” (vv.8-9). Yet he encouraged the people not to lose heart in troubles (v.16) but to trust God. During our difficulties, we can be drawn nearer to God and others, as Roger and Jerrie experienced, and praise will go to the Lord for His grace.
— Anne Cetas
Source: Our Daily Bread
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This is a very inspiring message today like all other messages.. Alot of times we go through trials and we loose hope. Roger and Jerrie could have given up hope at the 14th month but at the 15th month which they never expected, an unexpected miracle came. Lets look at it from this other perspective, what if he got a new job and then he lost his life while on the job. Our ways are not God’s ways, he does things in its seasona nd at his own time. While it is difficult to keep waiting,praying and not receiving anything, it is necessary to know that we have a God who knows tomorrow, so we dont need to worry about tomorrow. May the lord give us the grace to wait even when we dont know what the future holds
An apt reminder of what it means to trust God for His leading and provisions. He never fails and never will.