"For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well please rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:7-8)
One of the most painful experiences in Jesus' life on earth was the night He spent with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane before He went to the Cross. The thought of being separated from God - if even for a few days - was excruciating to Him. Despite the pain that Jesus endured, His obedience to God's plan allowed Him to triumph over death and for mankind to find salvation.
Whenever we find ourselves in our own Garden of Gethsemane experiences, we can reflect upon Jesus' night there with hope. What God did was more perfect and more amazing than any man could ever imagine. In the midst of our pain and suffering, we find God is at work. God will spare no experience, effort, or pain to prepare us for His good plans and purposes.
Paul wrote that it was God that prepared us for His purposes (2 Corinthians 5:5, 7-8). The way God prepares us is not always easy, but it is perfecting us to accomplish something in the future that we cannot foresee. Our nights in the Garden of Gethsemane result in bright days ahead.
Through our obedience to God during these times, His perfect plan for our lives begins to unfold and we see His perfect purpose.
Lord, I fear separation from You. Yet those times when I walk through dark valleys, I know You are working out Your purposes. Thank You that I can entrust my life to You. Amen
~Charles Stanley~
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