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“God’s plan is good.”

A thought by Rick Warren, (2012-10-23) from his book, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (p. 253). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Yes it is but all that is happening around us isn’t good.  Yesterday was 9/11.  It was not a good day in so many people’s lives.  So many people want to blame God for what happened.  If His plan is good then why did that happen?  But in the Lord’s Prayer we pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  His perfect will is done in heaven but not done on earth. But if we put our trust in Him all things will work out for our good.  Even the 9/11’s of our life.

God told Jeremiah in chapter 29 and verse 11 (NIV), “The plans I have for you [are] plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Then in Genesis 50: 20 (NIV), Joseph told his brothers who had sold him into slavery, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”  Hezekiah echoed the same sentiment about his life-threatening illness in Isaiah 38: 17 (CEV), “It was for my own good that I had such hard times.”  Also remember that when God says no to our request, “God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best.” - Hebrews 12: 10b (MSG)

I like the quote that Rick gives of Corrie ten Boom who suffered in a Nazi death camp, as she explained the power of focus: “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest!” Your focus determines your feelings.

As Rick says, “It is vital that you stay focused on God’s plan, not your pain or problem. That is how Jesus endured the pain of the cross, and we are urged to follow his example.”  Hebrews 12: 2a (LB), “Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards.”

I start every day before anything happens reminding myself that God is good.  Everything that will happen in my day must go through His goodness.  Yes His plan is good.

Now that is true if you have a relationship with Him.  If you don’t have a relationship with Him then what happens to you is not filtered through His goodness.  If it draws you to Him then it can turn out for your good.  I know of people who turned over their life to God after 9/11.  Good came into their life because of the bad. 

As Rick says, “Problems don’t automatically produce what God intends. Many people become bitter, rather than better and never grow up. You have to respond the way Jesus would.”  And that is your choice.

So what are you going to do?

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