First Devotional Thoughts Platform (Part Eleven)

Lessons from God's Faithfulness - Part Eight (Guest Appearance)

IC: “Nothing Just Happens” is the title of a message by a renowned man of God that I admire. Borrowing that phrase, I believe there is a reason for any trial that children of God goes through, especially if such is not an issue brought unto the person by himself/herself due to wrong doing. There is a voice in the fire, there is a reason for the season and one’s ignorance of the reason does not nullify it.

IC: As much as possible, seek to understand the reason such that when the season is over, you will live in the fullness of the insights gained from the wilderness experience.

Akin: Nothing that happens to us catches God by surprise, even the ones which we dabble into out of disobedience/unbelief. Adam and Eve sinned, but God already made provision before the foundation of the earth. [1 Peter 1:20; Revelations 13:8]

Nothing Just Happens (Daniel Cotrone)

Akin: God cares so much for and about us He even takes notice of the minutest, seemingly insignificant, details of our lives. The scriptures tell us, “As for you, even the hairs of your head have all been counted.” (Matthew 10:30, GNT)

Akin: If God can go as far as numbering the hairs on our head, what else then will He not be concerned enough with, as it pertains to us?

"Whatever that devil has done to you in this season. It may have scared you to death. It may look like bad has gone to worse. But The Lord said there’s going to be a resurrection in your life, so that everybody around you can see the very power of the Holy Ghost." (Bishop T.D. Jakes)

IC: Good question! Fact is, sometimes we may not feel that He is concerned about what we are going through. It’s normal to feel that as human beings, but not to dwell on it. We may know in part now, but in the fullness of time we will know in full, why God allowed the experience to be part of our life and testimony.

Akin: NOTHING happens to a child of God by chance. God either ordains it, or uses it for our good. [Romans 8:28] He finishes the works concerning our lives ever before it began. [Psalm 139:15-16; Job 14:4-5; Jeremiah 29:11]

Akin: NOTHING that has happened to us, or is happening to us, is wasted. God is using it all for our good. Our place is to surrender it to Him. He wants to make masterpieces out of our broken pieces.

Akin: Though it might not seem apparent, sometimes, God is ALWAYS in control over the details of our lives. All He wants is to work it all out for our good, if we will allow and cooperate with Him. He knows what we need to get to the destined end of GOOD He has for us, and He will take us through the required route.

IC: When God was giving Satan the authority to invade Job, he clearly defined the boundaries of the authority. This also means that for whatever challenges He has allowed to come our way, there are boundaries. After all, “…God is faithful, …and will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Akin: Now, let me jolt your theology a little bit.

Akin: God is the one who takes us to and through testing, and keeps us safe from the Evil one. [Matthew 6:13, correctly translated]

"Be still and know that I’m God. I’m bigger than your problem. I’m bigger than your circumstance. I’m bigger than your situation. This is not your battle. You don’t have to handle this. This is God’s battle. God will work it out. All you have to do is: be still and know that I’m God." (Bishop T.D. Jakes)

Akin: It was God, not Satan, who led the Israelites the long way to Canaan. [Exodus 13:17-18]

The Struggle Is Real

Akin: The short cut is not necessarily God’s choice or way. The long way also, is not necessarily God’s choice or way. The important thing in life is to ALWAYS listen for God’s voice and trust Him ALL THE WAY.

Akin: In this instance, God saw the short cut will not favor the people. They were not ready for the confrontations it will entail. God needed to groom them. So, He passed them through His “Wilderness School.”

Akin: It is important to note the wilderness school was not Satan’s idea, nor the Israelites’ idea. It was purely God’s idea, out of a heart of love and care. And, it was for a purpose. It was not just to fill time and space. It was to groom them, and the school only ends when its purpose is achieved.

Akin: I guess the challenge for most of us is, “we have been taught wrongly.” We have not been taught that life is “a wrestle.” [Ephesians 6:12; Matthew 11:12] Nothing just happens. There is a place for contending for the things that are ours, and the things that we want. In contending and wrestling we grow and attain ALL we are destined to be.

IC: This is good! Thanks my brother.

Akin: That is all we are able to take this week. We continue next week with more lessons learned from God’s faithfulness to our guest.

Akin: Remember, God loves you. Go out and make a positive difference in/to your world. We love you, and we care.


First Devotional Thoughts Platform (Part Ten)
First Devotional Thoughts Platform (Part Twelve)