Weekend Words

From Our Daily Bread Classic Gems...

 Turning Evil into Good - Read: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-18

"We wanted to come to you ... but Satan blocked our way." - 1 Thessalonians 2:18

The apostle Paul told the believers at Thessalonica that he and his co-workers wanted to visit them, but Satan blocked their way (1 Thessalonians 2:18).

Does it disturb you to read that a child of God can be blocked by the devil from doing what he believes to be the will of God?

If it does, remember that nothing happens without God's knowledge, nor apart from His direct or permissive will.  The Lord can take any deed, whether of Satan or man, and turn it around for His own purposes and glory.  The devil's hindering of Paul, for example, resulted in great benefit to Christians!  Because the apostle couldn't speak to the Thessalonians personally, he wrote them a letter.  This portion of the Bible has been a source of rich blessing and comfort to believers down through the centuries.

I'm reminded of Joseph's response to his brothers who had sold him into slavery.  They feared that he would seek revenge, but he said: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" (Genesis 50:20).

What a comfort to know that nothing happens apart from the will of our heavenly Father.  He is all-wise, all-knowing, and all-powerful.  Under God's sovereign control, evil can be turned around to accomplish His good purposes.

Reflect and Pray

There is a certainty of love  That sets my heart at rest,

A calm assurance for today  That what God does is best. - Anonymous

God can bring showers of blessing out of storms of adversity.

From a Year's Journey with God...

Peace and Joy on Guard Duty

"Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! ... Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:2-7

Towards the end of his letter, Paul suddenly feels the need to remind the Philippians again that anxiety is the biggest joy-robber of all.  We simply can't 'rejoice in the Lord' when our worries are constantly churning around inside us like pebbles in a cement mixer.  Paul linked joy and peace very closely here, perhaps because it is impossible to have joy if you do not have peace.  Someone once said that peace is joy resting and joy is peace dancing.

The people in Philippi could have felt infuriated with Paul for telling them, "Do not be anxious.'  They faced terrible danger on a daily basis, but they would have known exactly what Paul meant when he said God's peace would 'guard' (garrison) their hearts and minds and save them from worry.  The wealthy city of Philippi was kept safe from enemy attack by its thick Roman walls.  On top of these fortifications, fully armed, highly trained soldiers kept watch, guarding the Philippian citizens day and night.  Paul was saying, "I'm telling you to be full of Jesus-joy because you know He is surrounding you and your families all the time, like the soldiers on those walls, so you don't have to feel worried in your hearts, or think worrying thoughts in your minds."

"Be still and know that I am God..." - Psalm 46:10