Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
“I believe that God can and will bring good out of evil, even out of the greatest evil. For that purpose He needs men [and women] who make the best of everything. I believe that God gives us all the strength we need to help us to resist in all times of distress. But He never gives it in advance, lest we should rely on ourselves and not on Him alone. A faith such as this should allay all our fears for the future. I believe that even our mistakes and shortcomings are turned to good account, and that it is no harder for God to deal with them than with our supposedly good deeds. I believe that God is no timeless fate, but that He waits for and answers sincere prayers and responsible actions.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in “After Ten Years: A Reckoning Made at New Year 1943” in God is in the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas (Louisville: WJKP, 2010) 79.
Today I fly to Los Angeles and then Sydney, Australia, to teach and speak numerous times in Melbourne, Leura, and Sydney for Christian Super and Christian Ministry Advancement until I return home on 19 December 2016. I’d appreciate your prayers for a fruitful trip.
Likely you too have a busy schedule with much happening in the days leading up Christmas. Let us rejoice that God’s generosity flows toward us in real-time. How wonderful that He gives us strength sufficient for the day, but never more, lest we cease depending upon Him!
God, You are so good. You wait for and answer “sincere prayers and responsible actions”. Your coming is not reserved for Advent, but year-round You show up in our lives at just the right time with just what we need. Thank you. We declare our dependence on You anew and afresh today with gratitude for your faithfulness. Amen.