Day 146: Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining

I'm sure you have heard the old adage, "every cloud has a silver lining". That is a very true assertion for a Christian and is actually a saying that has roots in scripture.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

So, we know that no matter how rough or tough things are that God is in control. When we can hand over any circumstance to Him, with the confidence that He knows what He is doing, we will then have the assurance that that silver lining will be showing itself soon.

The trials in a Christian's life are meant to draw them into a closer relationship with God. As we live our day to day lives we get bogged down in these lives and actually need trials and "bad times" to bring the Lord back to our main focus. If you are truly a child of God you must know that He would never hurt you. Matthew 7:11 is the perfect picture of how our Father, who is perfect can love us, in contrast with our sinfulness are good to our children.

Job's story is also a perfect illustration of God's enduring promise to always take care of His children. Job lost everything he owned and loved, except for His love and trust in God. He wished himself to die, but He never lost His focus. For that God blessed him beyond measure. Although none of what God gave back to Job was a replacement for what he lost, it was God showing Job that He was always in control. Throughout the book of Job God is glorified. That is the reason God does anything, to bring Himself the glory. Any time we put that any other way is when you can believe that a trial is ahead in the distance.

I have heard it said a lot that a Christian is either in a trial, just coming out of a trial or about to start a trial. That is probably a true assumption. If that is true of you be assured that God has you where He wants you and will see you through. He will never leave you or forsake you and He will never give you more than you can handle. Those are His promises to us.

Stay strong in the battles. Know God is there and know that if He didn't put you in a trial that He allowed the trial. The sanctification process is needed to pull the weeds of our sin from the depths of our hearts. We need that pruning to be further conformed to the image of Christ. Praise Him in the midst, praise Him at the end and praise Him before you enter a trial. That is His desire. Trust in Him and you will be fine no matter what the perceived outcome is.