Discerning God's Purpose...by Doug Thompson

"...for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Matthew 5:45

The rains have come and gone, leaving destruction, distress, and disaster; even death. The sun comes out and shines as if nothing had happen at all. Yet it's rays illuminate the countryside revealing all of the damage that so many folks have suffered, and are still suffering. Some have said that we haven't seen this kind of flooding in nearly 100 years in many parts of the country.

So, where does God fit into all of this? Surely he controls the sky, the clouds, the rains and the winds. Yet the Scriptures clearly tell us that no evil proceeds from God, nor is he the author of evil. James puts it this way: "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing". James 1:3,4

Wanting nothing, or lacking nothing. The life of Joseph reflects this very idea. Sold into Egyptian slavery by jealous brothers, Joseph went through a series of trials, temptations and testings. He never lost hope and his faith in God was rewarded by being elevated from prison to the highest position in Egypt under Pharaoh. What his brothers meant for evil, God used to save Jacob and all his family from the terrible seven years of famine lacking nothing.

When you suffer pain, God can use it to bring something worthwhile into your life through it. When the floods of life produce great loss, God can replace it with something far better. When one of your expectations in life is not realized, God can substitute something of greater value in its place. Truth is, we don't have to understand God; we just have to trust him and let him turn our negatives into positives. Let him fulfill his purpose in your life.