Do you ever feel as if God is preparing you or a loved one for bad news? You know… that gut feeling, that restlessness, that longing to pray and intercede for yourself, your family, your friends, your church, pastors, or missionaries?
God has a way of preparing us, dear ones. It’s happened to me many times: That urge to pray for someone I haven’t thought of in years, friends’ marriages, protection for children.
Listen to Matthew 20:17-19:
Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the 12 disciples to one side to talk to them. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said. “The Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will sentence him to death. Then they will turn him over to people who are not Jews. The people will make fun of him and whip him. They will nail him to a cross. On the third day, he will rise from the dead!”
What news! And this wasn’t the first time Jesus shared with His disciples what was ahead. Here he details exactly what will happen to Him–the son of God.
- He will be betrayed.
- He will be sentenced to death.
- He will be ridiculed, tortured, and crucified.
And yet… He told his disciples, “We are going.” Not, “You know… I think we’ll stay here instead” or “I think we’ll take a detour.” No. Even though He knew what was ahead, He still went to Jerusalem. All sorts of evil things would happen to Him there–all at the hands of others. But He comforted them: He would rise again!
Can you imagine the disciples’ responses? “What do you mean? Why can’t we just stay here? This can’t be happening!” But Jesus comforted them: “I’m sharing this with you now because I don’t want you to be taken off guard but to know that in the end, I will be glorified.”
The same thing happens to us, dear ones. God prepares us for impending troubles–for ourselves or others. But He also gives us peace: He will be glorified through whatever may come. It might seem like the end, but we will see Him reign through evil. He might thwart it or He might allow it, but regardless: What peace!
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
Though He says, “We will go through this”; He assures us, “We will be victorious!”
Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer and recovery speaker. She walks alongside women, comforting them with the comfort she has received from God and inspiring them to take Biblical steps to personal growth and freedom. Daphne lives in the Southeastern U.S. with her husband Luis, their three children, their basset hound Dudleigh and ornery Kitty-Kitty, too. For more information about Daphne or to subscribe to her blog, visit: http://DaphneWrites.com.
April’s Rooted in Christ theme is Peace
Reading God’s Story Schedule today, 4/10/13: Psalm 56, Psalm 120, Psalm 140, Psalm 141, Psalm 142.
Join hosts Page and Cindy on Facebook where we are discussing today’s reading. Everyone is invited to join by clicking the ‘Join Group’ button. We have 500+ women reading the Bible through together! Join us and invite your friends too
About Daphne Tarango
Daphne Tarango is a freelance writer who comforts others with the comfort she has received from God. Daphne is a recovery speaker and writers’ group president. She has published numerous inspirational articles in print and online magazines. She has three stories in the inspirational collection, Women of the Secret Place, published by Ambassador International. Daphne is married to Luis and in the past year, has resigned from corporate life to take a position as a stay-at-home mom of three adopted children. To connect with Daphne, visit her blog: http://DaphneWrites.com.
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