The Covenant AlternativeSample

 Day 5: God Still Uses 'Alternatives'

Ishmael was not the promised child, but God still has a plan for his life. In Jeremiah 1:5 NIV, God says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart...." We serve a compassionate God who uses our broken pieces, our mistakes, and our shortcomings to bring about change in the world. 

Your best days are still ahead of you. The world has not yet seen the best of you. You are God's masterpiece, the apple of His eye. No matter the mistakes you've made, God's arms are always wide open to return to Him. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 

God told Hagar, "Ishmael will become a great nation," and that was fulfilled. Ishmael’s twelve children are considered to be the ancestors of the Arab nation. (See the children of Ishmael in Genesis 25:13-15) 

When King David ascended the throne in Israel, he asked, "Is there anyone left of the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness, for Jonathan’s sake?" Yes! Mephibosheth may be crippled and abandoned, but God hasn't forgotten him. The King sent for him, and here is a seemingly, forgotten, abandoned child dining at the kings' table. God's grace will always come looking for you, no matter how insignificant you think your life is. 

As you conclude this devotional plan, I hope that you realize that God’s promise is worth waiting for, and even if you have taken some wrong turns, or made some mistakes or poor choices, be reminded that God can still use it all to bring about a change in the world. 

God can still use your 'alternatives.'