"Group Think"

"Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us up as a prey to their teeth." (Psalms 124:6)

  Okay, so there are some things which we might never truly know; whether or not God is really for us, surely is not one on those things! If you thought yesterday was a little strange, I agree; but how strange is it to know that you are bulletproof and safe from every sort of destruction known to man? Maybe there was some kind of a memo that was overlooked, because I see people getting destroyed all of the time. Good people, that are doing things, extraordinary things that require sacrifice and giving up the pleasures you and I take for granted. I am thinking of that conversation Jesus had with Peter about him being sifted as wheat. If you can picture the expression that might have been on Peter's face, maybe a little curious, maybe a little scared of what that might mean and whether or not it involved pain. Nonetheless, Peter's answer was one that seemed courageous, but Jesus knew more about Peter than he knew about his own self. Here is what we must understand about the God we serve: Nothing is going to happen to us that He does not allow to happen! Regardless of what it might be or how totally unfair it might appear, if it is happening to us, it is not only allowed, but it is for a reason! Case in point, the fact that Satan had desired to have Peter, and have him to sift him as wheat, is not something you typically think that God would allow. On the contrary, it just so happens that every sort of evil work that happens against the church is of the devil; and yes, God allows it to happen; and double yes, there is always a reason that He allows it, no matter how ugly it might appear. Call it whatever you want to, but if you want to feel any comfort, you could call it, "Taking one for the Team!" If you look at it in that light, you might actually feel it is more of an honor than a horrible thing; it might even be something that gets us excited to see the outcome, and where and how God gets the glory. The one thing that Jesus told Peter, He would pray for, was that his faith would not fail! This is what we must overcome, each and every time we are going through any trial, and when we come out through the other side, that our faith would not fail! I hope you see the power that is being spoken of here, because this is not about us; this is about God and His work! "God, allow my life to be a vessel worthy enough for you to use for Your glory!" All of those then's we just walked through are things that have no power to destroy us, not in the least! If anything, they strengthen us...

"For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shinned in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." (2 Corinthians 4:6-10)