The Bible is a book of reversals. Old things become new, the dead come to life, and the lost are found. Even those who were the vilest of sinners are now empowered by grace to become the virgin bride of Jesus Christ. ~ FRANCIS FRANGIPANE

Everyone knows what it is like to experience a reversal. In most instances our reversals have to do with an investment gone wrong or a set back from where we had anticipated being or landing. For me, a reversal was linked to the negative. Something was moving along nicely and then suddenly - Bam! - a reversal and I found myself in a difficult situation. In fact, we usually blame the devil for most of the reversals in our life and indeed, in these instances, he can be an instigator of those happenings. However, sometimes life has a way of throwing us curve balls that we weren't expecting.

I recently ran across the quote above from Frangipane and it reminded me that Jesus is Lord of the true reversal. All of my brokenness, failure, and spiritual death He reversed (and still reverses). He is the only One Who can take a seemingly impossible situation of despair and turn it around for His good and glory. He has done it too many times to count and illustrate, but every now and then we need a reminder. Jesus turned the tables on death, hell, and the grave. He turned the tables on sickness, bondages, and oppression. He is a Master at moving through the ruins of life and raising out of it something beautiful. Can I be so bold to say, He delights in doing that!

I am continually amazed at the depth of discouragement and despair many people live in. I don't wish to minimize anyone's circumstances because I recognize that many people are at a place of great pain. By all natural and outward logic they have every right to despair, throw in the towel, and give up. By all earthly measurements, they have experienced a negative reversal and there is no way back. I want you to remember that we are in the "Good News" business. Jesus came to be the reversor of reversals. He came to put aright what was made wrong. He came to stake claim on that which was stolen. He made public display of all powers and principalities (COLOSSIANS 2:15) in His power to correct a universe that was marred by the effects of sin. He came to live in us so that "greater is He Who is in us than he that is in the world" (I JOHN 4:4).

What needs a divine reversal in your life today?

I believe the Lord would like to do something powerful for you if you would let Him. I believe He very much would like to distinguish himself in a people who would open up to His ways in order for a reversal to take place. Think about people like Joseph who experienced injustice from brothers, slavery, rejection, more injustice, prison, and broken promises; yet allowed God to refine him and he experienced a great divine reversal. Think of David, the least of his household who had a dysfunctional family, a jealous king try to kill him, life in a cave, and being thought of as a fugitive; yet allowed God to refine him and he experienced a great divine reversal. The list goes on: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Peter, Paul, and many others through the centuries. You can be a part of that list as well. God is no respector of persons. What He did for others; He will do for you!

Why not this week:

1. Ask God for a divine reversal.

2. Repent for the things that got you into this current condition and get right with the One who will reverse it.

3. Open your life up for correction, refinement, and instruction so you can learn what you need to in order to never be at this place again.

4. Promise to give HIM all the credit (and follow through) when your day of reversal comes.

There is an open heaven over us. Don't miss your moment. Seize your season. Things are starting to turn around!

Planting a Cross,

Pastor