Orange Moon Thursday, July 21, 2022 "This Remarkable Ability"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"This Remarkable Ability"

      I heard something truly profound last evening, not surprisingly considering who I live with (and no, I do not refer to our beagle Ellie!  Although, come to think of it, sometimes she… ).

    My wife Frances uttered the profundity:

    "God has this remarkable ability to transform negatives into positives."

    He does, doesn't He?  Consider.  The worst thing that ever happened, namely, the unjust murder of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary, actually serves as the best thing that ever happened for those who trust Him.  It led to the Savior's resurrection and a superlative Life beyond life for Himself and for all who trust Him.  In the wonder of His saving grace, the crime of the ages made possible our redemption unto eternity.   Yes, God has this remarkable ability to transform negatives into positives, including the most negative of all into the greatest positive.

   This includes the challenges that presently lie at our doorstep, or which have already passed through the threshold into our lives.  It matters not their mode or measure.  If the worst thing can become the best thing, all else bows before God's ability to redeem even tragedy into triumph.  The Apostle Paul, referencing not our blessings, but our sufferings, confirmed the truth:

  

   "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).

   I recently discovered a situation that elicited concern for a loved one.  I still feel that.  In pondering the matter, I could feel the pull to be dragged into fear, rather than being led by the Holy Spirit into faith.  This speaks to another point Frances made.  "God can transform negatives into positives.  But we play a role in the matter, don't we?"  Yes, we do.  Remember the grievously sad indictment of the Lord Jesus "own country," where "He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:57-58).  Our calling to trust the Lord matters so much to Him and to ourselves that He withholds "mighty works" if we do not believe His promises.  He must be trusted not only on brightly lit summits of beauty, but in dark valleys of challenge and difficulty.   "Glorify ye the Lord in the fires" (Isaiah 24:14).

    It matters not which particular negatives we presently face.  Frances was right.  Again, "God has this remarkable ability to transform negatives into positives."  As we trust the Lord, we will find a straight pathway from the cross to the empty tomb, and a direct flight from earth's needs to Heaven's supply.  Faith will be required for our journey, but what better means of transport?  After all, we are believers who ever live in the glorious and redeeming light of this remarkable ability.

"Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh."

(II Corinthians 4:10-11)

"Ye thought evil against me, but meant it unto good."

(Genesis 50:20)

Weekly Memory Verse

    "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord."

 (II Corinthians 4:5)

   

   

   

  

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