It’s not a Problem…It’s Part of the Plan
- Debbie Christopher
- Jul 13
- 3 min read
By: Debbie Christopher ~~I have a section in my ‘Notes’ app entitled Blog Brainstorms. As I reviewed through my list recently, I came across an entry labeled ‘not a problem’. I was stumped as to where I was going with this thought. Since no details were included, I added next to it, “I have no idea where I’m going with this.”
More time went by, and I finally remembered my intention…God doesn’t see it as a problem…He sees it as part of His plan… I figured I should start working on it before I forget again!
Are you facing a situation or trial you just can’t seem to dig yourself out of? Do you feel like God has forgotten all about you and doesn’t even notice the situation you are in? I’d like to share two passages to reassure you that that’s not the case!
‘God remembered’ is a phrase used throughout the OT in reference to God’s response to several persons who found themselves in tough situations. My personal favorite is found in Genesis 8:1 and involves Noah—who had been floating around in an ark caring for who knows how many animals and had no idea when it was all going to end.
“God remembered Noah, as well as all the wildlife and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. God caused a wind to pass over the earth, and the water began to subside.”
Genesis 8:1 HCSB
Here’s the tough question so often asked about this and similar passages:
Does the phrase, ‘God remembered Noah’ mean God had forgotten all about Noah and suddenly thought, “Oh, no—Noah! Yikes, I need to get him out of the ark!”
Of course, not!
Several of these God remembered so/so verses are translated with the synonym took note of, thought of, or considered. It does not imply ‘oops, God forgot’.
Think of it this way. I’m sitting in my recliner and begin to think about my husband. I remember when he did such/such for me—or, when he took me some place special, and the list could go on and on. Does this mean I had forgotten about him and all the sudden thought, “Oh, yeah, Greg! I forgot all about him!”
Of course, not!
Let’s return to Genesis 8:1 and see how the sentence ends…and the water began to subside.
Noah had been floating around in an ark caring for who knows how many animals—not knowing when it was all going to end…but God had a plan!
God had not forgotten Noah, nor has He forgotten me, and dear reader, He hasn’t forgotten you either! The water will subside according to His timing and plan.
Consider this NT passage from Paul’s letter to the young Philippian believers that teaches this same principle:
“For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose. Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world.”
Philippians 2:13-15 HCSB
This particular verse paragraph encourages these young believers to be lights in a dark world. A quick summary of this passage encourages each of us as well. It’s not a problem, it’s part of His plan…so that we can shine like stars.
Again, It’s not a problem, it is God working in you—to work out His good purpose—enabling you to desire His good purpose—so that, you can shine like stars in the world.
I absolutely love this!
But, as we close, I know that you are probably asking, “Yes, but why does it seem to take so long?!” My best answer is to combine Proverbs 3:5-6 and 1 Peter 5:10…and while you’re at it, add Psalm 138:8!
Never forgotten—always remembered!
~Debbie
If you’re a new follower, I encourage you to scroll through our previous blog posts that also deal with ‘surviving’ bumpy circumstances and refer to some of these same verses.
~Debbie and Sharon
Really good!