There are times when we can see how God is using adversity for our benefit. Usually, all we have to do is ask God and he will show us. But there are times when the way is so dark, the pain so intense, the path so unclear -- we are totally clueless as to what God is doing. It's in those times when we confess, "Lord, absolutely nothing good can come of this."
It can be so grueling -- so agonizing -- that we don't sense God is in it at all. You certainly don't feel his presence. You feel abandoned. Your prayers bounce off the ceiling and you feel lost in the dark.
Deuteronomy 29:29 reads, "There are secret things that belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendants forever ... ."
God will allow certain things to happen in our lives for his purposes that we will have absolutely no clue what he is up to. What's happening will seem unfair, unjust, hurtful, painful and make no sense at all. But God is doing something; it's just that for reasons only known to God, he has decided to keep it a secret.
During those tough times, God asks only one thing from us: Trust him. But how can we do that?
We can trust God because, despite his secrets, there are many things God has chosen to reveal to us -- and he promised that they are ours to possess and believe. For instance:
- God has revealed that he deeply and profoundly loves us. (John 3:16)
- God has revealed that despite how it feels, he has a plan and purpose for us, and it's a good plan -- a plan that gives us a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
- God has revealed that no matter how far we may feel from him, no matter how alone -- when adversity has left us with no one to lean on, no one to bring comfort, encouragement or hope -- God is still with us! He will never leave us or forsake us. (Matthew 28:20) David sang, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death -- You are with me."
- God has revealed that he understands. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
- God has revealed that he can turn every negative into a positive. Every failure into a success. Every tragedy into a victory. God can take our worst pain, failures and darkest nights and turn them into something good for us -- something that will cause others to give God glory. (Romans 8:28)
It boils down to this: I don't know what I might face tomorrow, but I know who holds my tomorrows in his hands. I know he loves me. He cares for me and holds me in the palm of his hand. I know that he is in control. He will never leave me or forsake me. I know he not only understands my suffering, but will transform it into something good.
Is God keeping a secret? Hold on to what he has revealed and he will see you through.
