Blessed For A Purpose

Blessed for a Purpose

Read: Luke 8:26-39

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.”

Luke 8:39

“The Gospel is not a secret to be hoarded but a story to be heralded.”

—Vance Havner

IN WORD Why has God been good to us? Because He loves us? Of course this is true. But there is more. He has been good to us because He loves others, too. He wants us to tell of His goodness. His mercy has been given that we might speak of His mercy; His patience that we might speak of His patience; His blessings that we might tell others that He is a God who blesses. All of His goodness toward us is for us, yes, but also for others. It is for the reputation and glory of His name.

This is not new—it is how He has made His name known from the beginning. “I will bless those who bless you . . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3). “You sent miraculous signs and wonders against Pharaoh. . . . You made a name for yourself, which remains to this day” (Nehemiah 9:10). This is our story, too. God has been good to us not for our glory, but for His.

IN DEED Pledge to tell others what the Lord has done for you. Learn to say, “Let me tell you about God’s patience. He is so patient that He__________ ,” and fill in the blank with a story of how He has dealt with you. Learn to say, “God is so merciful that He ________ ,” and tell someone of His mercy toward you.

This may seem difficult because it will require honesty and transparency on our part. The Gerasene from this text must say he is an ex-demoniac when he tells the story. We may have to confess why we needed mercy, or why God had to be patient with us. This often doesn’t reflect well on us. But it does reflect well on Him, and His glory—not ours—is the ultimate purpose of all creation.

Give Him glory. Tell what He has done for you.