"Simple Illustrations"

 "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him." (Ecclesiastes 10:8 KJV) 

  "The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others. Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set. The LORD is known for his justice. The wicked are trapped by their own deeds." [Quiet Interlude] (PSALM 9:15-16 NLT)

 Here is the thing we must know, be totally aware of, and never forget: Those who do wrong, God will judge rightly, and there will be justice for those who are wicked and have no passion or love for others! If you feel as though you might be the victim of something that is not your fault, have faith in God, because He will be the judge! We are called to pray for those who might be our enemies and forgive those who wrongfully set out to hurt us.

 Whatever you might be going through, you have a loving Father who is in Heaven, who looks after you, cares for you, and will never let you down! There is nothing that we can ever go through that will harm us; even though it might seem too much in the moment, everything that happens to His children is that which takes them closer to their Father in Heaven. Believe it is so and hold on to the faith you have been given, no matter how hard things appear! 

 I can't help but think of Stephen's situation, having made such a passionate testimony of the way God's people have been so stubborn throughout the centuries; worshipping other gods, killing the prophets, ignoring the love offered them, by the Father who choose them. After hearing all the truth which he had spoken, the Jewish Leaders were furious and shook their fists at him, in rage.

 When it was apparent that Stephen was in serious trouble, he gazed up into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing at the right hand of the Father: Jesus was standing! Here is where we need to understand the issue, if that is what we think of anything bad or hurtful in our lives: If God is for us, then no one or nothing can be against us; even if it means that we might be put to death! 

 This doesn't have to be an "issue", as if there is something to be dealt with; it becomes the opportunity to get closer to God, to be used to minister and affect change, to God's will and purposes; and without a doubt, best case scenario, you end up in the arms of Jesus...

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" (Romans 8:28-31 NLT)