Bitterness to Sweetness

Monday 8 February
READ:Ruth 4:14-17
MORE LESSON:John 9:1-6

Many times, Christians are faced with unpleasant situations and experiences. Even in the path of obedience to the Lord, there may be losses, suffering, pain, death and injustice. No child of God is without trouble, but God always solves them, Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all: Psa 34:19.
Troubles and trials are not to make us bitter, but better; God allows them because He knows they will end in sweetness. What is considered a loss now often leads to gain for God's children. Do you know that a believer's major goal in life is not to be comfortable, satisfied or even happy, but to glorify God? (see Job 5:17-21). A man was born blind in the Scripture and the disciples asked Jesus, “Why was this man born blind?” Jesus, replied, “It is that God might be glorified”. Your situation is allowed so that God can be glorified. He knows you can bear it and that you will not deny Him because of the pain. Jesus endured the cross, and Paul the apostle endured much persecution. Also, bitter herbs are used in the Passover meals (Exo. 12:8, Num. 9:11). All these analogies should prove to you that the bitterness you are experiencing is not taking God unawares; He wants to use it as the stepping stone to your celebration and victory.
Unpleasant experiences, persistent
problems and unexplainable tragedies may happen but we must know that God uses trouble to purify and refine men. Hannah was barren, Bartimeus was blind and Naomi suffered so much loss that she wanted her name changed to 'Marah' which means, 'bitterness'. In fact she said, for the Almighty has afflicted me....: Ruth 1: 20-21. At the end, all these people mentioned testified of sweetness; Hannah, Bartimeus and Naomi all became subjects of testimony. Naomi's testimony was that a son was born to her in old age (Ruth 4:17).
Bitterness, however, does not turn to sweetness on its own. It usually takes spiritual authority and the anointed ones to stand over one to have it (Exo. 15:23-25). The solutions to all the problems of church members largely depend on the priest that God has placed over them. James 5: 14 -15 says, Is any one sick? Let him call for the elders and let them pray over him anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Marah water was made sweet by Moses in Exo. 15:23-25. Elisha also ended the bitterness of the people of Jericho by divine directional prophetic act. God has placed the cure for every bitter water of your life in His vessels. You must honour and connect with these vessels. I prophesy sweetness to you today, and through God declare that you are free, in Jesus' mighty name.

Prayer/Action
* Oh Lord, turn my bitterness to sweetness, in Jesus' name.
* My pathway will no longer be that of Marah, but of sweetness, in Jesus' mighty name.
* Let the travail of Jesus on the cross make a way for me, in Jesus' mighty name.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Today, I release the power of life and good living into my destiny, in the name of Jesus.