Restoration
Theme of the week: Moving Forward after Bad Decisions
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
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Key Bible Verse: Though [God] brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. (Lamentations 3:32) Dig Deeper: Lamentations 3:21-33
So what did God do now that his people had chosen "second best"? What did he do now that Israel could not undo their decision? The good news is that he did not abandon them. Instead, God took the people by the hand and taught them both the seriousness of disobedience and the wonder of his all-encompassing grace. He turned their "second best" decision into what became his "first best" future for them.
God's discipline does not entail his withdrawal from our lives and our circumstances. God will work with us where he finds us—even in the midst of what appears to be an unending wilderness. In the aftermath of our bad decisions, God will guide us, provide for us, and forgive us. God does not abandon us when we have made a foolish decision. Sometimes our stupidity unveils his finest moments.
You are never in a situation that is beyond God's ability to answer your prayers. Never stop praying; never stop asking; and above all, never stop trusting. Someday you might even give God thanks for the wrong road you have chosen. With that kind of faith, your future is still bright. In fact, with faith in God's sovereignty, we can even thrive after we've chosen "second best."
—Erwin Lutzer in Making the Best of a Bad Decision
My Response: What is my biggest regret? How might God work through it if I let him?
Thought to Apply: When we deal seriously with our sins, God will deal gently with us.—Charles Spurgeon (British preacher)
Adapted from Making the Best of a Bad Decision (Tyndale, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Lord, help me to learn from my bad decisions and to trust that if I repent, you are faithful to bring something good out of even my poorest choices (Rom. 8:28).
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