God Ministers To Us in Our Needs

Today was rough, not having a job for seven months got to me, and I began to question God and become discontent with my situation.

God lovingly gave me exactly what I needed throughout the afternoon and early evening.

The first song that came on the radio after I was really down was Before the Morning ~Josh Wilson. There was a part of me that didn't want to hear it because I wasn't sure if the morning would ever come.

The first commercial break had a clip from a message that had been aired on the station that essentially said...

You can ask God why, but he doesn't have to answer you. He never answered Job.

This evening in devotions it was my turn to lead in our Old Testament survey, and the section was on major themes in Joshua. The author made the point that Joshua is not primarily about Joshua, or Israel's military victories. Instead it is about God fulfilling his promise to Abraham to give them the Land of Canaan, and how He worked powerfully to fulfill it.

Another Promise

⁷ “ For the Lord GOD will help Me;
Therefore I will not be disgraced;
Therefore I have set My face like a flint,
And I know that I will not be ashamed.
(Isaiah 50:7, New King James Version)

A light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out...

Just as the Light of Eärendil gave light to Frodo in the darkest of times, so to are God's promises and acts of providence for the Christian.

The middle of last week things were very bleak. Things were just getting tougher and darker all week long, and I had to minister to a bunch of kids the end of the day. I finally got to Wednesday afternoon, and I didn't know how I was going to smile the next day. (Usually I can fake it when I need to.) I prayed and read some psalms for a while, and afterwards decided I would apply for a few more jobs, and God gave me the possibility of a job interview. It didn't materialize as I wanted, but it was the hope I needed. It was enough for me to know once again that God is watching out and caring for me. I am so thankful not only for God's promises but the way He works through providence to bless us, and remind us that He cares personally for all his sheep.

God's Promises are the Key to the Dungeon of Despair

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, New King James Version)

⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, New King James Version)

Cling to these promises as you press on.

A Promise of Blessing for those who Help the Helpless

I ran across this verse the other day, and it was such an encouragement. I try to be there for those in need. When I read it, it seemed like a promise God would bless me. If you are not helping those in distress, start doing it. God promises to bless those who help those in need.

Psalm 41:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)

Psalm 41

The Psalmist in Sickness Complains of Enemies and False Friends.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.

¹How blessed is he who considers the helpless;
The LORD will deliver him in a day of trouble.
²The LORD will protect him and keep him alive,
And he shall be called blessed upon the earth;
And do not give him over to the desire of his enemies.

I don't think I would have noticed the verse if I hadn't been reading in my NASB. Most the other translations render the word "helpless" as "poor".