Daily Devotional
God, Do You Have Any Plans?
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts”
Isaiah 55:8-9
June 3, 2020
Ponder This
Have you ever stood and watched an artist paint a picture? He starts putting his colors on canvas. He’s just splashing on the colors, mixing this one and that. You can almost hear him thinking, “A little more yellow here….”
And we say, “He’s so good—how does he do that?” Then suddenly he’ll dip his brush in some colors and go swoosh! across the canvas. We say, “Oh, you ruined it! You’ve really messed up. Let’s see how you get out of this!” Then a few more strokes, and suddenly it just comes together. It’s a masterpiece!
Sometimes we look at what God does the same way. As He puts His colors on the canvas, we look and say, “Lord, you’re really doing well.” Then all of a sudden God goes swoosh. “Lord! You’ve messed things up! How did You let this happen?” Have you ever felt that way? Yes, you have, and so have I.
When I watch an artist at work, it may not make sense to me, but it makes sense to him. And just because things are not making sense to you, do not think that they don’t make sense. In Acts 12 we see Herod’s ungodly power, James’ death, then Peter’s release. Yet all of these things are working together. We call that the sovereignty of God. It is the providence of God. God sees the end from the beginning. In spite of the worst that man can do, God always has a plan.
Practice This
In Acts 12 in your Bible, write in the margin Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose.”
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
