by leaps and bounds

But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel (Philippians 1:12).

It would be nice if life was all sunshine and flowers- but it isn’t. There are times when rain falls on our parade. These are the times we ask: “What in the world is going on?” These are the times we ask: “Why is this happening to me?” There are accounts in the Bible that teach us that God always has a “Why?” behind our “What?”

Joseph’s life is a great example. His brothers hated him so much that they sold him into slavery. Later, Joseph was falsely imprisoned. Knowing that God had definitely chosen him, these had to be monumental “whats.” Through a series of events, God’s “why” came into focus. Joseph became the second in command in Egypt, enabling him to spare many people from starvation in the midst of a terrible famine. The people he saved included the brothers who had sold him. Genesis 50:19-20 proves that Joseph had discovered the “why” behind all that he had suffered:

Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Then there is the account of Stephen. Scripture says he was full of faith and power. He was a righteous man who simply preached the gospel. The crowd became so angry with him that they ended his life in a hail of stones. We may ask, “How can a good “why” come out of this horrific incident?” The answer, easily overlooked, is found in the following verse:

And they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul (Acts 7:58).

This young man, named Saul, was later named Paul. This was the same Paul that wrote, “The things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel.” Having been converted to Christianity, he became a preacher of the same gospel he had tried to abolish. His compelling goal was to preach the gospel in Rome. Instead, he wound up a prisoner in a cold, filthy, rat- infested Roman prison. This was his “what.” Let’s look at God’s “why.”

During his time in prison, Paul wrote to various churches and individuals. In spreading the gospel through this means, he spread the gospel for centuries to come. Today, his writings are in our Bibles. These writings are: Romans, I and II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I and II Thessalonians, I and II Timothy,Titus, Philemon and possibly Hebrews. These books of the Bible are read and preached throughout the world. Only God knows how many men, women, boys and girls have come to know Jesus as Savior because one man’s “why” was to share the gospel with billions- even after his death.

Maybe- like me- you are in the midst of a “what.” Let us take comfort in knowing that God has a “why” for every “what” we go through. In fact, let us be encouraged by the words of our friend, the Apostle Paul:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.