~ written by Connie Dunmyer
Some people make to-do lists.
I make “intend-to” lists — and intend to look at them eventually.
They say the road to success is paved with good intentions…
I must’ve taken a wrong turn at Procrastination Boulevard.
I had every intention of waking up early to pray…
the spirit was willing, but the snooze button was strong.
I’m so glad that when God intends, or means to do something – He does indeed do it! And that’s no joke.
Today’s BUT GOD verse is a very well known scripture. In fact, when I say “But God”, I bet your mind tends to jump to this scripture.
Genesis 50:20: 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
I am comforted by the fact that no matter what happens to me – good or bad – GOD is doing it, GOD is using it, GOD is accomplishing what He had INTENDED from the beginning. Nothing is a surprise. Nothing is out of His reach. Nothing is bigger than His plans. And nothing can overcome what He have planned.
It was GOD all along!!
Even today, this very hour, this verse hits me right where I am. My heart is aching. My fears have been awakened. My baggage has been pulled out of the closet and is stinking up the room.
So what should I do?
I must read this verse; I must read God’s words! I must sing! I must praise! When the words won’t come, only the tears; when praise becomes a real sacrifice – I pray the Holy Spirit speaks for me.
Romans 8:26 ESV: “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
The devil means this for our harm – our death . . . BUT GOD is intending this for our good to accomplish “what is now or will be done” – to save many lives.
I’m so glad that what God INTENDS is what He ACCOMPLISHES!
Yes. I do believe this to be true! But why does the bitterness always seem to come from “a friend” or a “brother”? Like it was for Joseph. Like it has been for me.
Sometimes I feel so lonely. I know the Holy Spirit is with me and enveloping me. But sometimes, it feels like I walk this road alone. Those around me can’t always understand. It can feel like I’ve been abandoned.
Isaiah 49:15-16: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands”
More please: Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 27:10; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5
Yes. Good to know. Good to dwell on. Good to repeat. God is here. He has not abandoned me. In fact, He is “accomplishing” His intentions.
Oh but do NOT miss the next verse in Genesis 50 for the rest of the response:
21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Please know that I know Joseph is the one speaking here to his brothers. But on a day like today, I believe God has highlighted and spoken Joseph’s words to me, for me.
He has said – Don’t be afraid. Sometimes that feels a bit like saying “don’t think about elephants”. But since I do have the Holy Spirit, I do have the power to not be afraid. [Isaiah 41:10; 2 Timothy 1:7]
He has said – I will provide. I don’t know what it looks like yet, but this is not the first time I’ve needed God to provide – and it likely won’t be the last. So I can trust it to be true. [Psalm 34:10; Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:19]
He has said – for you AND your children. That simple phrase give me so much hope as a parent and grandparent. [Psalm 103:17; Deuteronomy 7:9; Isaiah 54:13]
He has reassured me and He has spoken so kindly, so mercifully to me.
I’m pretty sure if I were God, I would roll my eyes for all the times I come crying to Him over the same stuff. BUT GOD, in His infinite mercy, seems to only look on me with loving kindness. I don’t deserve it – but am I ever grateful for it.
My Prayer:
I will stay as close to You as I know how. Please hang onto me in those moments where I am weak and start to fall. Don’t let me drown. I know You aren’t and won’t. I guess I just needed to cry on Your shoulder for a moment. Thank You for that. Thank You that what You “intend” will be “accomplished”, and for all of it being “for good.” Amen.