Is God Really "For" Us?
Our intentions and motives don’t always align with our actions. Sometimes our intentions are better than our actions. Many people intend to pray more than they actually do, or maybe they intend to study more hours than they actually log, or they intend to be nicer to their spouse than they actually are. In these cases people hope to be judged according to their intentions rather than their actions.
On the other hand, sometimes our intentions are worse than our actions. We may make judgments against others in our heart, but not ever communicate those judgments or do anything about them. We may judge or condemn or try to manipulate people, but hide our true intentions so that they may go undetected. In these situations we hope to only be judged by our actions, not our sinister intentions.
What about God’s intentions – can we clearly discern them? Not always. God’s intentions are to advance His Kingdom so that more and more people will know Him and experience His love, healing and wholeness. Yet, He works through all kinds of people and circumstances - good and bad - often making His ways hard to discern. Our temptation is to question His intentions when our experiences are negative. However, He may be advancing His cause in and through our lives by the use of positive or difficult circumstances.
The last 14 chapters of Genesis deal primarily with the life of Joseph. His dreams – literal and possibly figurative – caused his brothers to be irritated, jealous and angry at him. They sold him into foreign slavery. After many trials, loneliness and years in prison, Joseph was catapulted to the position of second ranking leader in Egypt. Later he was brought face to face with the brothers who sold him into slavery - and they were terrified. Joseph said to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good ... the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)
Looking back on the years of pain and turmoil, Joseph could clearly see the hand and intentions of God. God’s intentions extended beyond Joseph; they involved His purpose and deliverance for many other lives. Though Joseph had to endure some bleak and hopeless seasons, God was always being faithful to His plans for and through him.
Are there any ways that you are judging God’s intentions? If so, would you be willing to suspend those judgments and simply believe that “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose?” (Romans 8:28)
As you allow this outlook of faith to govern your life you will not feel as much pressure to judge others or yourself. You will be a delight and of great benefit to God and those around you. It will help you to forgive others when they wrong you, and it will help you to see the positive movement of God’s mysterious hand around you.
~ Coach Tom
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