If a person shows you who they are, believe them.
In this special edition daily devotional, we invite you to embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving and cultivate a heart overflowing with gratitude towards the Lord.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
November 29, 2023 By Dr. George Bing
In today's Daily devotional, we will continue our exploration of giving thanks to the Lord during trials and the reasons behind it. Yesterday, we discussed how trials can reveal the true nature of people who you believe would support you. Even when you are determined to sincerely follow the path of the Lord, some individuals may choose to distance themselves. However, it is during these moments that you should raise your hands in reverence and gratitude, thanking the Lord for these experiences in life.
One of the reasons why the Lord allows such experiences is to reveal that some individuals had ulterior motives for having you in their lives. When you no longer serve their purpose, they may no longer desire a relationship with you. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Maya Angelou, a renowned poet, wisely said, "If a person shows you who they are, believe them." In these situations, the Lord is protecting you from further harm. When it becomes evident that someone is hindering your spiritual journey, it is important to establish boundaries.
An example of this can be seen in the story of the Apostle Paul, who was bitten by a serpent while gathering sticks for a fire. The people living there, assuming the worst about Paul, labeled him as a criminal or wrongdoer. In simpler terms, they believed he was facing consequences for his past actions.
Indeed, the people witnessed Paul being unharmed by the snake bite. As described in Acts 28:4-5, they initially assumed that Paul must be a murderer, as he had survived the sea but was now facing the consequences of his actions. However, Paul simply shook off the snake into the fire and felt no harm.
In life, when we have been hurt and others expect us to remain damaged for an extended period, we can give thanks to the Lord by allowing Him to demonstrate healing and victory in the presence of our enemies. The Apostle James encourages us in James 1:2-3, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” What are your thoughts?
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