Reason for the Separation (Philemon 15)

SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 11-22-02

 

My Worship Time                                                      Focus:  Why the Separation

 

Bible Reading & Meditation                                     Reference:  Philemon 15

 

            Message of the verse:  “15 For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever,”  (NASV95)  “15 Perhaps you could think of it this way:  Onesimus ran away for a little while so you could have him back forever.”  (NLT)

            Paul, in this verse is explaining to Philemon, that it is possible that in the providence of God that something bad, (the running away of Onesimus), would turn out to be something good, (the salvation of Onesimus.)  There are other places in the Bible that help explain this situation of something seemingly bad turn into something good.  Joseph said of his being sold into slavery by his brothers was in the very providence of God to save a whole people.  (See Genesis 50:20)  In Romans 8:28 Paul wrote that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. 

 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  This verse in Romans is something that I need to see in all things for it is said that God causes all things to work together for good, and not just some things to work together for good.  I cannot just pick and choose what I think is being worked out for my good for God has all things under his control.

 

The Word of God had a good reminder for my life today of something that I have learned about before.

 

My Steps of Faith Today:  To trust the Lord to keep His Word by working out all things in my life to work together for good and also to bring glory to the Lord.  To fear only the Lord.

 

Memory verses for the week:  Romans 11:33-36

 

Oh, the debt of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

 

“For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has become His counselor?”

 

“Or who has first given to Him

And it shall be repaid to him.

 

For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.  Amen.