Divine Problems

Monday 24 July
READ: Rom. 8: 28
MORE LESSON: John 21: 1 -19

I have discovered that God sometimes takes advantage of problematic situations to reveal His will to people. God can use situations – even negative ones - to help give directions and instructions. When you pass through such situations, you must be submissive and sensitive. Submissive, not to fight God's will and insist on your own way; sensitive, to pick the message the Lord is passing across and not unnecessarily delay the process. In Luke 5: 1 -11, Peter and some other would-be-disciples were fishing and they laboured for long but caught nothing. Then Jesus showed up at the river and asked to use Peter’s boat. If Peter was having a good catch, he probably would not have released the boat to the Master. However, the lack of a catch made him promtly release his boat to the Lord and the Lord used it, blessed him with a good catch and called him into ministry. It was the situation of the day that worked out God's purpose in Peter’s life.
Later in John 21: 1 – 11, Peter returned to fishing after the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus and some of the disciples followed him. Then something happened again; he laboured and didn't catch anything. The Master showed up and instructed him to throw the net on the right side. The instruction of the Lord gave him both a good catch and restored him to ministry.
It seems whenever God needed Peter's attention, He allowed a hard time in his fishing business. Peter loved fishing and having challenges in it made him to seek the Lord who, in turn, used the opportunity to bless and restore him. The truth is that some people will not seek God passionately until they have difficulties here and there. The Lord in His love allows them to experience things that will make them come home to Him. The intent of the Lord is to use the opportunity to solve their problems and more importantly, reveal Himself to them.
By the time the Lord is revealed to them beyond the solution to their situation, they become grounded in the Lord and stand for Him irrespective of situations. For Peter's call and restoration, the Lord needed a troublesome situation to get his attention. After Peter grew and became Spirit filled, he was a rock and was established both in good and adverse situations. We should grow to the point that it is not trouble that makes us seek God; rather seek Him for who He is.
This is why Apostle Paul said, ... all things work together for good to them that love God...: Rom. 8:28. Note that all things work together only for those who love the Lord, not just anybody. When one may think one has done something wrong and is being afflicted as a consequence, Paul the apostle says God can still make it to work together for your good.

Prayer/Action
* Pray that your present situation will turn out to the praise of God, in Jesus’ name.
* Ask God to reveal Himself to you in your situation, in Jesus’ name.
* Pray that the situations of life will not turn you away from the Lord, in the mighty name of Jesus.

TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER
I decree strength into my new week, I shall not be weak, I shall not faint, I shall live in good health, in the mighty name of Jesus.