Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Expect (07/11/13)
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TITLE: Expect the Unexpected | Previous Challenge Entry
By Edmond Ng
07/16/13 -
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- Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12 NAS)
Such an advice is probably not unfamiliar to most of us. Yet too often a door closes in our lives when we least expect it. Our circumstances change all the time and once in a while we may succumb to the crumbling effects of shattered dreams, broken relationships, losing someone we loved or other unexpected occurrences.
Perhaps, we had made plans to accomplish something in life but failed to get it or perhaps we had relied too much on someone or something to achieve our goals without whom or which we feel helpless. When we put too high hopes on something or someone, sometimes God may choose to take it away from us so we may learn to depend on Him.
After Job lost his cattle, flocks, camels, servants and all his children in an unexpected turn of events, he did not blame God. Instead, he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:13-22).
How do we respond to the unexpected? Do we bless God or curse our misfortunes? Are we putting our hopes up too high or expecting too much? Is our reliance on God or on our worldly riches or people?
The Bible says, “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17). If we think we are standing firm, therefore, we need to be careful to take heed lest we fall (1 Corinthians 10:12).
If our reliance is on God, there is no need for us to worry about the unexpected because if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Our God knows the plans He has for us; plans to prosper us and not harm us, to give us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).
We can expect the unexpected because no test or temptation has overtaken God’s people but such as is common to man. Our God is faithful; He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear. With the temptation, He will provide a way out so we can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13).
When a door is closed at a time we least expect, rest assured God will open another. He knows our deeds and has placed before us an open door that no one can shut if we have kept His word and not denied His name (Revelation 3:8).
Dear Lord, we do not know what the future holds, but we know You hold the future. In You therefore we put our complete trust. You O God are the Almighty and we need not fear what lies ahead because You know Your plans for us. Help us prevail over our circumstances Lord and bless Your name regardless the dire situation we are in. Show us the way of escape that we may endure it. We are forever grateful to You Lord because You have richly supplied all things for our enjoyment.
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