Our Good, His Glory Revisited

God has two purposes in His plan, our good and His glory. We need never think that He does not know what we are going through. He does! He himself experienced life in human flesh. John 11:22 says, "When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled." (NIV)

"And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14 (NASB)

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

God is at work in this world, and His plan is to make us into His image. We don't need to be discouraged that things aren't working out the way we want them to. We can trust that God's plan is for our good and for His glory, even if we can't understand it right now. He will be with us on the journey. And when we have been transformed into His image, all glory and honor and power are His. I am thankful that He chooses to share this with us!

"And the glory which Thou hast given Me I have given to them; that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me." John 17:22-23

"But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NASB)

Consider the story of Joseph. Things never looked like they were for his good, but Joseph just kept putting one foot in front of the other, moving forward in God's direction, trying to do His will. When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:27-28), he ended up in Egypt. Joseph had dreams and interpreted dreams, eventually finding his way into the house of Pharaoh being second in charge in all the land. Because Joseph put God first in all things, he was crowned with success, but not to bring glory to Joseph. Joseph was part of God's plan to protect His people from the famine that had entered the land. God's plan was bigger than the circumstances and Joseph knew that he was exactly where God wanted him to be.

So Joseph told his brothers when they came to Egypt to ask for food and realized that their brother was in charge, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place? And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive. So therefore, do not be afraid." Genesis 50:19-21 (NASB)

We also can be assured that if we are seeking Him and putting Him first in all things and loving him with all of our heart, and soul, and mind, and strength, He will accomplish His purposes in us. He will accomplish them even when we don't see how He could possibly do it.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren." Romans 8:28-29 (NASB)

Dear Lord, If I could just trust your plan for my life, I would walk in Your peace continually. Please help me to trust You with everything knowing that You have me exactly where You want me to be.

Image courtesy of Photobucket.com.

Originally posted April 10th, 2010.