If we can get a glimpse of how God orchestrates the seemingly insignificant circumstances of our lives on a daily basis, we would feel a great sense of security and peace, knowing that God has everything under control. We would also be struck with a compulsion to become more alert to what God is doing in our lives from moment to moment so that we can cooperate with Him rather than complaining and working against what He is doing.
But what if some interruptions really are attacks from Satan? Should we even view problems as God’s will, and thank Him for them? If we could see what waits on the other side, we would!
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”—James 1:2–5 (NIV)
If we feel that we are unable to rejoice in the midst of problems, James tells us that it is because of a lack of wisdom—that we are not seeing the circumstances as God sees them. We ask for wisdom so that we are able to see our problems as opportunities for God to do mighty works on our behalf.
You may be thinking, “But you don’t know what my problems are!” That may be true, but have any of us ever had a bigger problem than Jesus did when He was condemned to die on the cross? That’s a big problem, right? But Scripture tells us that if the forces of darkness understood what would result from Jesus’ death, they would have never arranged for that to happen. They did arrange it, but they will regret it forever!
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.”—1Corinthians 2:7–9 (KJV)
It is the same with you. Satan may orchestrate attacks upon you. Thank God when you find yourself in those circumstances because of the great victory that God will bring about as a result of it! That is what Jesus told us to do in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:11–12); and it is how the early disciples responded when they faced very difficult problems (Colossians 1:24; 1 Peter 1:6–8); and it is how the apostles exhorted us to respond in every situation (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”—1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”—Romans 8:18 (KJV)
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”—1 Peter 4:12–13 (NASB)
Remember Job? God restored to him twice as much as he lost when Satan attacked him.
“And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, when he prayed for his friends; also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before…And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…”—Job 42:10–12a (AMP)
Remember Daniel, who was thrown into the lions’ den? This event was certainly a big, unwelcome interruption in Daniel’s plans, but through it all, he kept his focus on God. He had complete confidence that God was in control of his circumstances. He didn’t complain or curse the people responsible for putting him in this tough situation. In fact, the first words out of Daniel’s mouth after surviving a night in the lions’ den were a blessing upon the king who had put him there!
This unwelcome, unpleasant interruption in Daniel’s life resulted in a decree being sent out to everyone in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians, glorifying God and commanding that people everywhere honor the God of Daniel! But it didn’t end there. This story is still repeated today, all over the world, and continues to bring glory to God to this day!
And it’s all because of one interruption in one man’s life!
