"Two Simple Examples"
EXAMPLES
Let me close with a few simple examples. An evil man is out to do me harm. He sends a secret spy who pretends to be my friend. I am informed about this espionage ahead of time. So when the secret agent calls on me, I am ready. He inquires about my dearest possession. I tell him it is that old, dilapidated barn out back. Every single piece of wood in that barn came from a tree hand-cut by my beloved great-grandfather and everything stored inside has precious memories attached to each. I wouldn’t take a million dollars for one board on that barn!
When my family and I return from vacation, lo and behold, the barn is completely GONE! Every single board and everything inside has been removed! Patti gives a shout, “Finally! How much did you have to pay someone to remove that eyesore and all that junk we couldn’t get rid of?”
I simply smile and say, “Someone wanted to help, so I got it done for free.” This is how God uses suffering as our servant to work for us.
Nachum Ish Gamzu, a Jewish Rabbi, lived in the first century (see tomb in Israel). His very name, “Gamzu,” which became attached to him is derived from two Hebrew words “Gam” and “Zu” which mean together “this, too.” Whenever he was faced with misfortune he would always proclaim, “this, too, is for the best.” Wow, what a response (if he actually believed it).
Let me be straight with you, this does not imply an unbridled, unfounded optimism. We do not believe that everything bad is actually good. No, bad is bad, but God uses it FOR good. Things that happen are evil, sad, tragic, simply BAD! But we subsequently employ “bad” to work for us. See the difference?
Nevertheless, remember “Gamzu” or “this, too, is for the best” the next time a calamity threatens your peace of mind!
EXAMPLES
Let me close with a few simple examples. An evil man is out to do me harm. He sends a secret spy who pretends to be my friend. I am informed about this espionage ahead of time. So when the secret agent calls on me, I am ready. He inquires about my dearest possession. I tell him it is that old, dilapidated barn out back. Every single piece of wood in that barn came from a tree hand-cut by my beloved great-grandfather and everything stored inside has precious memories attached to each. I wouldn’t take a million dollars for one board on that barn!
When my family and I return from vacation, lo and behold, the barn is completely GONE! Every single board and everything inside has been removed! Patti gives a shout, “Finally! How much did you have to pay someone to remove that eyesore and all that junk we couldn’t get rid of?”
I simply smile and say, “Someone wanted to help, so I got it done for free.” This is how God uses suffering as our servant to work for us.
Nachum Ish Gamzu, a Jewish Rabbi, lived in the first century (see tomb in Israel). His very name, “Gamzu,” which became attached to him is derived from two Hebrew words “Gam” and “Zu” which mean together “this, too.” Whenever he was faced with misfortune he would always proclaim, “this, too, is for the best.” Wow, what a response (if he actually believed it).
Let me be straight with you, this does not imply an unbridled, unfounded optimism. We do not believe that everything bad is actually good. No, bad is bad, but God uses it FOR good. Things that happen are evil, sad, tragic, simply BAD! But we subsequently employ “bad” to work for us. See the difference?
Nevertheless, remember “Gamzu” or “this, too, is for the best” the next time a calamity threatens your peace of mind!