INTRODUCTION

God often allows problems to enter people’s lives in order to facilitate His initial plans. For example, God had already expressed His desire to Abram for him to separate from his kindred. For various reasons, Abram had not obeyed God up until this point. In order to bring about God’s desired will, He allowed conflict to enter between the herdmen of Abram and those of Lot. The solution to this unnecessary conflict was quite simple. Abram suggested that they part ways (God’s initial plan) and Abram turned toward the land of Canaan (God’s initial plan). The Lord used the same tactic in the early church to get them to spread out and to preach His word outside of Jerusalem (see Acts 1:8But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
See All... and Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
See All...).

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): The apostle Paul wrote several epistles from prison, one of which was Philippians. Read what he had to say about his problems (Philippians 1:12-14 [12] Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. [13] Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? [14] And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
  See All...). John was in prison and wrote the book of Revelation (Revelation 1:9I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.
  See All..., 19). Joseph's problems eventually enabled him to save his own brethren (Genesis 50:20-21 [20] But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. [21] Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): What was God’s will for Abram? What could have happened had the problem not come along between the herdmen of Abram and those of Lot?
• Has God ever allowed problems to enter your life only to bring about His desired will as part of the solution? How does this demonstrate God’s love and wisdom?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to help you see His plan in your problems.
• Thank God for sending problems that bring about His will.

HYMN

TRUSTING JESUS

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