Devotion – August 8 – “Better Days are Coming”
Have you ever wished for something to happen in your life because you were sure it would make your life better? Then, when it didn’t happen, you became upset and cried out and bemoaned your bad luck?
Or, you faced a situation and you prayed to God about it. But you don’t just pray about it, you directed God to the right answer. See, you were sure you knew what was best for you and those around you. Later you find your prayer was not answered the way you wanted, and you shook your fist at God and lamented the painful turn of events you were facing.
We all have.
When I look back at those kinds of moments, I often see that things turned much better than if “my” plan had been actualized. Those moments have become very important in my life because they remind me that not only is God’s plans better than my own, but I can trust God with my future.
There is an interesting scene recorded in John’s Gospel, the second chapter. It records Jesus’ first miracle:
On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine gave out, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what concern is that to you and to me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now standing there were six stone water jars for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the chief steward.” So they took it. When the steward tasted the water that had become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine after the guests have become drunk. But you have kept the good wine until now.” Jesus did this, the first of his signs, in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
Did you notice the words of the wine steward: “Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the inferior wine.” That makes sense right? Wine stewards know once the people have had a couple glasses of wine, their palate becomes dull. They can then serve the inferior wine knowing no one will the difference. Yet, at this wedding – after Jesus puts his touch on the event – the best wine is served at the end
Is it possible that the same thing will happen to us? Is it possible that following the chaos we are facing as a country, that Jesus will bless us with something wonderful? Something magnificent? Something beyond our wildest dreams? Is it possible that better days are coming and these “better days” will be great days?
It’s hard to see such a possibility in the middle of these difficult days. But we need to remember we aren’t alone, Jesus is with us. Because of that, there exists someone who has the power, to lead us into a bright future; a future beyond our wildest dreams.
So, people of God, don’t lose hope – better days are coming ... in fact, the best is yet to come.
~ Blessings, Dan