Bring in the New!

Our Daily Bread

Situation Excellent

January 4, 2014 — by Dennis Fisher

Read: Philippians 1:3-14

The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. —Philippians 1:12

At the First Battle of the Marne during World War I, French lieutenant general Ferdinand Foch sent out this communiqué: “My center is giving way, my right is retreating. Situation excellent. I am attacking.” His willingness to see hope in a tough situation eventually led to victory for his troops.

Sometimes in life’s battles we can feel as if we are losing on every front. Family discord, business setbacks, financial woes, or a decline in health can put a pessimistic spin on the way we look at life. But the believer in Christ can always find a way to conclude: “Situation excellent.”

Look at Paul. When he was thrown in prison for preaching the gospel, he had an unusually upbeat attitude. To the church at Philippi he wrote, “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel” (Phil. 1:12).

Paul saw his prison situation as a new platform from which to evangelize the Roman palace guard. In addition, other Christians became emboldened by his situation to preach the gospel more fearlessly (vv.13-14).

God can use our trials to work good in spite of the pain they bring (Rom. 8:28). That’s just one more way He can be honored.

Comfort us, Lord, when life’s trials assail—
we fail and stumble so often. Renew us, and
help us to grow so that others may also
know Your goodness and comfort.

Trials can be God’s road to triumph.

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This devotional, today, seemed just right in regards to some thoughts that had been preoccupying my mind. This new year finds each of us in some place: maybe it is a place you have entered due to some wrong choices you have made, or right choices, or choices that seem to have been made by others (either right or wrong). But rather than dwelling on what those reasons are (or who should have the credit, blame or guilt), we need to realize we are here, now, and we decide what we’re going to do with the “here and now”: you can live it for yourself, or you can chose to live it to please God. How you got here doesn’t matter, the question is, “Where are you going?”!

I won’t pretend that I’m pointing a finger at any one person; I am talking to each of us (including myself). It has been rightly noted that the “Armor of God” described in Ephesians 6:10-18 (AMP) is designed for defense and attack, there is nothing to protect your back if you turn in retreat; we are called to “stand firm” and be prepared to go forward!

So, for a moment, let’s take one, quick look over our shoulder at what lays in the past: Pain? Hurt? Betrayal? Disappointment? But, honestly, has any of that been from God? Yes, He has allowed it, but have those things not taught you lessons? Have they not made you stronger and bolder? Have they not drawn you closer to God and lifted your face up toward Heaven? Have they not been things you can use to reach out to others with sympathy and understanding?

Now turn back with me to the present, to this moment. Have you made the wrong choices that have brought you here? Repent, with all sincerity of heart. Have others made choices that have brought you to this kind of prison; are you an innocent victim? Forgive, with the power and strength of Christ in you. Now, accept that forgiveness (for yourself and others) and claim this moment (and every after) for God, His Glory and the furthering of His Kingdom!

It’s not easy! We have hurts, wants and hopes. But God knows that, and He’ll make every Dream come true, that is first dedicated to Him and asked according to His will. Remember: He always has the better plan, “for your good, to give you a future and a hope”! So “trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!

If you will do this, while holding on to God’s hand, even if you slip and trip at times, you are guaranteed to have a happy year, every year, because “God will never leave nor forsake you”! Hebrews 13:5 in the Amplified reads this way:

“…be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”

How many times did He say He would “not”? And I always sit up and take notice when God uses exclamation points in scripture, as it seems to be a rarity. Isn’t it sad and amazing that we can read that and look at God and say, “Are you sure?”? But we do. Oh, us of little faith!

I’m not trying to erase anyone’s past; I’m not trying to give fortune cookie promises for the future. I’m just saying, we need to learn to let go of the past and live the here and now, for God’s Glory and the furthering of His Kingdom; all other pursuits will fade and turn to dust.

All works done to impress others and lift up yourself will be like decaying fossils when brought before God’s throne on that day of judgment and rewards. All pursuits of happiness here will leave you empty and wanting, and some will bring others down into the pit with you.

And, for those of us who claim Christ, how sad will that great day of rewards at God’s throne be for those who have casually accepted Christ’s forgiveness and continued to give Him less than a passing thought, and/or claimed their “freedom in Christ” as a license to live to please themselves and indulge in their earthly thirsts and appetites! You may enter Heaven, but, I believe, it will be through tears of regret and remorse!

My prayer for all of us is that we would daily gain the right perspective; we only know what our five senses can tell us. But God pleads with us to look past ourselves and believe that this present life is but a shadow: whether or not you marry won’t matter; whether or not you birthed children will make little difference. There’s no box in God’s Book of Life that asks your annual income. Slobs and neat-freaks, the overweight and slender will all, one day, cease to be on this earth.

These things (health, marriage, children, income) are all gifts from God to bless our lives on this earth. But they are also meant to be ways that God shows His Love toward us and tools for us to use for God’s Glory and the Furthering of His Kingdom!

This year, ask God to daily give you an eternal perspective. Time is short. Even if Jesus doesn’t start bringing an end to this world for another hundred years, you and I don’t have a hundred years left. We are not even promised the next moment, only this one…what will you do with yours?