God's Perfect Plan; Day 5

Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."

The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about. (Luke 18: 31-34)

One of God's enduring attributes is that he's a Redeemer. The word literally means 'someone who buys back.' In scripture it refers to how Jesus' blood paid for our sins. Here Jesus predicted his death and resurrection, as well as the torture he'd undergo beforehand. Jesus knew this would happen - and he chose to endure it anyway. One of the most barbaric acts in history brought the most glorious miracle of all: The salvation of our souls. That's redemption. God's way can seem difficult and even wrong to us, but God's sovereign plans are always redemptive, no matter how bad it seems at the time.

Spend some time reflecting on how God brought about so much good from something so horrible.

Ask God to help you see how he can always bring good out of circumstances, even evil circumstances.