One of my Rest Ministries Devotions
Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:6
One biographer described the Frontiersman Simon Kenton as a lazy, worthless fellow who beat up a rival for a woman so badly that Simon thought he had killed the man, and then Simon fled westward into the wilderness.
Yet Simon Kenton went on to save and protect the settlers on the American frontier as they moved westward into the American wilderness. Simon provided them with food and taught them how to live and survive on the frontier. At one point he even saved the life of the famous Daniel Boone. It did not surprise me to read at the end of Simon Kenton’s life he had become a Christian. The hand of God had preserved his life so many times that he could not deny the fact of God’s existence.
Challenges and afflictions and human weakness can make our lives look unprofitable and worthless. Events beyond our control can leave us feeling helpless and useless, and make others think so as well. But if the hand of God is upon your life, the end of your story can be much different than it appears in the beginning. You could be responsible for helping others to find the Lord, and by your faithfulness you might encourage other Christians to stay faithful. Your perseverance through hardship is a constant testimony to the power of God.
The end of your story is not written. You may feel sidelined by weaknesses and problems, but God can take your weakness and use it for His glory. People wrote off Simon Kenton as useless, but he has gone down in history as a man that God preserved and used to aid many people during his time on earth. Your story is not finished, trust God to help it end well.
Prayer: Dear Lord, we often feel helpless and useless because of our afflictions. Let us never forget that You are the Author of our story, and it will end well. Amen.
