NOVEMBER 16 - God’s Got Reasons

NOVEMBER 16 - God's Got Reasons     But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. — PSALM 5:11   In preparation to go to Africa last year, I was stuck with every kind of shot, from yellow fever to hepatitis. I even took malaria pills. When I left the doctor's office, I relaxed, knowing I was under God's protection.   While overseas, I was careful with the food and water. I became doubly cautious when, midway through our trip, everyone else was running to the restroom. We all knew that if I became ill, it would be awful — I wouldn't be able to get up and run to a bathroom!     Mealtimes were challenges. To make things worse, I lost my special spoon again (remember yesterday's story?). My friend thought she had cleaned it off after breakfast and put it back in my handbag. But not so. I was demoralized, knowing someone would have to feed me. I asked the Lord to show me where that spoon was, but God was quiet on the subject.     At the close of the trip during our last meal, I was struck by a crystal-clear thought: Joni, you lost your spoon because it was contaminated. Had you used it, you would have become sick. Immediately I shared this with my friends at the table. One of them gasped, "God just told me that same thing this very instant." God was no longer quiet on the subject. Neither was I. I kept praising him, happy to not only be healthy, but to be able to hear his reasons for hiding my spoon!     We say it all the time. We pray to the Lord, "Deliver us from evil." God answers that prayer with a resounding "I will," yet we cannot see the thousands of ways he does it every day.     Lord, I thank you for the countless times you will protect me today. I'll name a few right now . . . _

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