“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
-Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
“Probably the biggest things I learned were just the power of patience and perseverance, and knowing that everything God does, He does for a reason. He knows what He’s doing. It’s not our job to question what He’s doing with our lives. He has a purpose for it, and we just have to trust Him and know that His plan is the right way.”
University of Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford spoke those words to FCA’s Sharing the Victory magazine earlier this season prior to becoming the latest Heisman Trophy winner on Saturday night. They were lessons that Bradford had learned from experience.
After coming to OU and immediately redshirting his freshman year, Bradford struggled in his first months at college. As a redshirt, he had to sit back and watch as his friends competed on the field and shared their experiences together. All Bradford could do was watch and wait and try to trust the Lord whom he served. Little did Bradford know what was ahead.
Just two short years later, the young OU star has become one of the most accomplished sophomore quarterbacks in history and has now joined the prestigious club of Heisman Trophy winners. But all his success wasn’t without trial. He had to remain faithful during the waiting period and cling to what he knew to be true: that God had a plan for his life.
What are you waiting for today? What is it that you’ve been asking God for or praying for Him to deliver? Do you trust that He will show up? Do you trust that He is faithful even when you can’t see the road ahead? Right now, you have an opportunity to grow in your faith. During the waiting periods of life, we have the most incredible chance to cultivate a deep trust in the Lord. We can’t develop that when we are receiving what we have been asking for, because it doesn’t require faith to believe at that point. We have these small windows of time during waiting periods to really press in and learn how to trust the Lord and His goodness.
Today, choose to be like Sam Bradford. Choose to trust the Lord and take Him at His word to see you through and deliver you into His perfect plan.
1. Answer the questions posed in the devotion and then ask Him to show you areas in which He wants you to trust Him.
2. Ask the Lord to reveal Scripture to you that can strengthen your faith. Start with the ones below.
Psalm 9:10
Psalm 20:7
Psalm 57:10
Proverbs 3:5-6