Enter God’s Rest
“Therefore, since the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the Gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Now we who have believed enter that rest…” Hebrews 4:1-3 NIV
This portion of the Book of Hebrews reflects back on the disobedience of the Israelites after Moses led them out of bondage in Egypt. God commanded His people to take possession of Canaan, promising them His protection and provision. But because of their unbelief, they rebelled against God, who then swore that they would never be allowed to enter His rest in the Promised Land. The passage above indicates that today, God invites us to enter His rest through putting our faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, and believing His promises. The rest referred to here is not only one of eternal rest after this life, but also a rest we can enter here on earth. How do we enter that kind of rest now? By believing God and taking Him at His Word, as the verses above tell us.
The apostle Paul reveals this principle in prayer form in the Book of Romans: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NKJV) Believing God brings us peace, joy, and rest. Doubting Him causes fear and torment. We’re not talking about mere optimism here, but a deep, abiding trust in a God who wants the best for His children, and who is faithful to His promises. Every time we’re in a trial, we are going to have to choose between believing in God’s ability and willingness to protect and provide for us–and doubting Him. The Book of Hebrews equates unbelief with disobedience. (Hebrews 3:12; 4:11) And disobeying God always robs us of His best.
Hebrews 4:9-10 (NIV) says, “There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His.” Too often, we work at trying to accomplish things that only God can. Those are the times that God wants us to cease our labors and put our trust in Him. Then we can walk in peace, knowing that God is working on our problems. Today, enter God’s rest concerning that unsaved family member, that financial burden, and that healing need. May this precious promise encourage your heart today: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)
Lord, in all my daily tests and trials, deliver me from my doubts and fears, and help me to enter Your rest. Instill in me a growing love for Your Word, and remind me of Your faithfulness to Your promises. Give me a trusting heart, that I may never miss out on Your best for me. Thank You that Your joy, peace, and rest shall be mine all the days of my life!
Our Healing God
In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to him and said, “This is what the Lord says: Put your house in order, because you are going to die; you will not recover.” Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, “Remember, O Lord, how I have walked before You faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in Your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.’” Isaiah had said, “Prepare a poultice of figs and apply it to the boil, and he will recover.” Isaiah 38:1-5,21 NIV
In the above passage, though King Hezekiah was on his deathbed and had already been told by the prophet Isaiah that he would not recover, he pleads with the Lord to deliver him. Many of us would have just accepted the negative report we had received, yet this man of faith sought God’s mercy and power in his darkest hour. God not only healed him, but He increased his life another fifteen years as well. I believe that God is using Hezekiah as an example here to show us how essential prayer is when we are in need of healing. I also believe the Lord is illustrating how He sometimes uses practical remedies in the healing process. Notice that the prophet Isaiah prescribed a fig poultice for the king, no doubt at God’s direction. God did the healing, but He used a simple treatment to bring about recovery. I believe that God can anoint an herb, vitamin, or medicine to promote healing. And He can use doctors to prescribe beneficial remedies, just as He used Isaiah here.
Second Chronicles 16:12-13 (NIV) records that King Asa “was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians.” The next verse reveals that Asa died from this affliction. This is a very clear warning to all of us. If we choose to depend on doctors and remedies apart from seeking God, we could be risking our health, or even our lives. Another lesson Scripture teaches us about healing is that it can be a gradual process. In Mark 8:22-26, Jesus lays hands on a blind man twice before his sight is completely restored. While I do believe in instantaneous healings, I believe that most healings take time. And just like Jesus used various methods to heal, God may use one way to heal you, and another to heal someone else, even though you both have the same ailment. The next time you’re ill, turn to God first for help. Ask Him for His wisdom, according to His promise in James 1:5. Search out God’s many promises of healing in the Scriptures, and pray and stand on them. My prayer is that when you do, you’ll soon be able to declare, “O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me”! (Psalm 30:2 NIV)
Lord, when illness threatens, send Your Word and heal me. (Psalm 107:20) Show me when I should see a doctor, and who it should be, and give them supernatural wisdom and skill. Spare me from all unnecessary and unpleasant tests and treatments. Reveal to me what supplements or medicines would help, and anoint them for my use. Teach me how to walk in health and wholeness. Thank You that You have promised to be my Healer! (Exodus 15:26)
God-Pleasers vs. Man-Pleasers
“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” Galatians 1:10 NLT
The above verse, written by the apostle Paul, warns us that if we are to be true servants of God, we must seek the Lord’s approval, rather than man’s. Very often, God’s will and man’s are opposed to each other, and here’s where the tension arises. Jesus said, “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.” (Luke 16:15 NIV) God and man have very different value systems, and we are expected to make right choices, even in tough situations. In Luke 12:48 (NIV), Jesus tells us: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” As followers of Christ, we are equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit to live by God’s standards, not the world’s. The Bible assures us that our God is a just God, and He will never give us unattainable goals to strive for. When we supply the will, He supplies the power.
Exodus 23:2 (NIV) says, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong.” What happens when your friends want you to watch movies or listen to music that you know in your heart are not God’s will for you? Jesus said, “Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones.” (Luke 16:10 NLT) Don’t be deceived into thinking that God doesn’t care about the little details of our daily lives. He cares very much, and He expects us to be faithful. Proverbs 25:26 (NLT) says, “If the godly compromise with the wicked, it is like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.” Not only can our compromise harm our fellowship with God, but it can damage our witness and cost us an opportunity to lead others to the Lord. It’s been said that, “People may doubt what you say, but they will believe what you do.” Instead of just telling them about Jesus, we need to show them Jesus!
We’re always appalled when we hear the biblical account of Peter denying Jesus. But look what the apostle Paul says in Titus 1:16 (NIV): “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny Him.” We’re no better than Peter when we choose to live our own way, rather than God’s. The Bible says that “friendship with the world is hatred toward God.” (James 4:4 NIV) God’s not going to settle for a superficial commitment from us. We have a higher calling on our lives, and it’s the Lord’s desire to use us for His glory. But He can’t use us if we won’t submit to His ways and plans for us.
In 1 Timothy 1:12 (NIV), Paul says: “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to His service.” God has promised to reward our faithfulness by giving us opportunities to serve Him. But there are other rewards for choosing to please God rather than people. When we make it our life’s goal to please the Lord, the result is joy, peace, and fulfillment. On the other hand, whenever we try to please people, we experience frustration, disappointment, and emptiness. The truth is that living to please God is the only decent way to live. My prayer for you today is that you will have the same spirit that Peter and the other disciples had when they declared, “We must obey God rather than men!” (Acts 5:29 NIV)
Lord, forgive me for the times I chose to please people instead of You. Give me the strength and courage I need to resist the temptation to win the approval of others. Help me to be faithful in little things so that You can trust me to be faithful in bigger ones. Thank You for rewarding my faithfulness with awesome opportunities to serve You!
The God of Comfort
“What a wonderful God we have—He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the One who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And why does He do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TLB
Although it was almost 15 years ago, I can still vividly recall the day I found out that my father died suddenly on the way home from my parents’ summer vacation. My first reaction was disbelief. My dad had just called me a couple of days previous, telling me how he was looking forward to seeing me when he arrived home later that week. He was away for Father’s Day, and I had promised him a visit so we could celebrate. I already had his card and gift. The realization that I would never see my dad again threatened to overwhelm me, but I pushed it aside to think about my mother, and what she must be going through. She was all alone in a city far away from home, where she was surrounded by strangers in her time of need. One of the things that troubled me most at the time was how I would get through all the funeral services for my father. I was concerned about my mother and three sisters, and I wanted so much to be strong for them. I asked God for a miracle. I prayed that He would sustain me with His strength, comfort, and peace so that I could help and support my loved ones until my dad was laid to rest. God answered that prayer far above my expectations, and the example I set for my family was a powerful witness of His boundless love and mercy.
The verses above, written by the apostle Paul, have a very special meaning for me now. I have experienced firsthand how eager our God is to comfort us during difficult times, especially when we ask in faith. One reason He does this is so that we, in turn, can reach out to others in their times of trouble, offering them the same comfort we have received from the Lord. One of the things that impressed me most when I began studying the Bible was how many comfort-related verses there were. Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4) Sometimes believers have the idea that when someone we love dies, especially if they were Christians, we shouldn’t mourn or grieve for them. But that’s not scriptural. God made grieving part of the healing process, and He gave us tears for a reason. Ever notice how good you feel after a good cry? The fact is that there are times when nothing will bring relief like a good cry can. On the other hand, God doesn’t want us to sink into a pit of depression or despair. Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV says, “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Excessive sorrow can drain us of our strength and joy, and can eventually harm our mental and physical health.
Each time I began feeling overwhelmed with sadness after my dad died, I claimed God’s promise in Isaiah 53:4 NKJV: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” Since Jesus took upon Himself all the misery we’ll ever experience in this life, we can embrace the suffering that is part of God’s healing process, and we can reject the suffering that would destroy our well-being. God’s desire to comfort us is so great that He has given us His Holy Spirit, whom Jesus called the “Comforter,” to abide in us continually. (John 14:16 KJV) While there will be times when the Lord uses others to comfort us, we should never forget that our greatest source of comfort is only a prayer away. Another way that God offers us comfort is through His Word. Psalm 119:50 (NASB) says: “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me.” Many times, when I have been overwhelmed with hurt and heartache, I have turned to the Scriptures for consolation, and I have come away feeling strengthened and refreshed. If you are in need of comfort today, may this promise from the Lord encourage your heart: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13 NIV)
Lord, when I am in need of comfort, help me to turn to You first. Teach me how to comfort others with the comfort You offer me. Remind me that You gave me tears for a reason, but don’t let me drown in self-pity or despair. Thank You that through Christ, my comfort overflows! (2 Corinthians 1:4)
The Power of Forgiveness
“Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for He has said that He will repay those who deserve it. [Don't take the law into your own hands.] Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be ‘heaping coals of fire on his head.’ In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. Don’t let evil get the upper hand but conquer evil by doing good.” Romans 12:19-21 TLB
One day, when my son was only about 6 years old, he came home from school without his lunch box. I asked him where it was, and when he said he didn’t know, I suggested that he mentally retrace his steps. As my son got more and more confused, I got more and more angry. It seemed like he was always misplacing something, and for me, this was like the last straw. I told him that when he went to school the following day, he had better go to the office and check the “lost and found”. Over the next few days, my son tried everything to find that lunch box, without success. I was really disgusted with him, and I made sure that he knew it. Then one evening, I opened one of my kitchen cabinets and was horrified when I discovered the missing lunch box inside. I had packed my son’s lunch and then, instead of handing it to him as he walked out the door, I put it in one of our cabinets. With a heavy heart, I approached my son and asked him to forgive me for accusing him of losing his lunch box. Without a moment’s hesitation, he threw his little arms around my neck and kissed me and exclaimed, “That’s okay, Mommy!” It was a lesson in forgiveness that I’ve never forgotten.
These days, whenever someone attacks or hurts me, I try to remember how so many years ago, my little boy showed me that being kind and forgiving to those who wound us can cause them to feel the regret and repentance that God wants them to. Jesus has commanded us to forgive our enemies, to pray for them, and to resist treating them as badly as they treat us. (Luke 6:27-28) Our Lord has called us to live “the most excellent way,” by “keeping no record of wrongs.” (1 Corinthians 12:31;13:5) And He expects us to do the right thing, even when the right thing is not being done to us.
If you have trusted Christ as your Savior, the Spirit of God dwells on the inside of you, and He will empower you to forgive those who offend you the moment you make the decision to forgive. In addition, God has given you the supernatural ability to love others with His kind of love. (Romans 5:5) Does God care if we’re mistreated? You bet He does. And the Bible makes it clear that He is committed to protecting and defending those who are devoted to Him. But He expects us to “leave room for God’s wrath” by refusing to avenge ourselves, and giving Him the opportunity to fight for us. (Romans 12:19 NIV)
The reason why we don’t see more believers winning battles is because, all too often, we don’t want to wait on God to defend and rescue us. We plunge ahead and try to fight our own battles, and as a result, we forfeit the victories and blessings God had in store for us as a reward for trusting Him. We need to remind ourselves that just because we let someone off the hook for wronging us, that doesn’t mean they’re off God’s hook. When we forgive those who hurt us, we aren’t excusing their actions–we’re just forgiving them as an act of obedience to God, and we’re trusting Him to deal with them. We can’t expect our feelings to help us. We have to do it as an act of our will, and we may have to do it by faith. After we make the decision to forgive, often our emotions will fall in line.
When Jesus spoke about prayer and mountain-moving faith, He said we had to let go of all unforgiveness in order for God to forgive us our sins. (Mark 11:22-25) We can’t expect our prayers to get ready answers when we are holding grudges. Ephesians 4:32 (MSG) says: “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.” When bitterness begins to take root in our hearts, it can poison us spiritually, and make us physically and emotionally sick. (Hebrews 12:15) It can also open the door to satanic attack. (Ephesians 4:27)
Allow me to leave you with some food for thought from the Word of God today: “If you forgive someone’s sins, they’re gone for good. If you don’t forgive sins, what are you going to do with them?” (John 20:23 MSG)
Lord, help me to be quick to forgive those who treat me unjustly, to respond in a Christlike manner, and to pray for them. Remind me that “I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.” (Philippians 4:13 TLB) Thank You that as I sow seeds of mercy, I will reap mercy! (Matthew 5:7)
The Difference that Trust Makes
“Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation. ” Isaiah 25:9 NIV
As long as we’ve been married, my husband, Joe, has always worked two or three jobs. That’s why it was such a shock to us when he got laid off from his full-time job some years ago. The company which had employed him for 18 years was closing its doors, and even though he had a year’s notice, when his last day of work finally came, he still didn’t know what to do about his job situation. The following weeks of unemployment were extremely hard on my husband. He tried to keep busy doing tasks around our house, and he regularly contacted employment agencies, and searched for job openings in the newspaper and on the internet. Still, God gave no indication that He was opening a door of opportunity for my husband anytime soon, even though we were praying and standing on His Word. I really became concerned when Joe’s anxiety over his joblessness began interfering with his sleep. In all our years of marriage, I had never known my husband to have a problem sleeping. I tried to encourage and comfort my husband by telling him, “You could get a phone call at any moment that will radically change your whole situation!” And I meant it. I tried to get my husband to remain hopeful. I knew it was vital to his well-being. After six weeks of being jobless, Joe received a call from a major communications company, offering him almost twice the salary he was earning at his previous job. It would be a new field of work for him, and he knew the job might only be temporary, but he was pretty sure that it was God’s will for him to accept it, so he did.
About one year later, my husband was laid off from his new job. Even though he knew the job was most likely only temporary, he had hoped the Lord would spare him from having to endure another period of joblessness. It didn’t happen. Once again, Joe was without a steady full-time job, and he had no idea where he would find another one. But this time, things were different. Even though my husband would experience brief periods of restlessness, overall, he was sustained by an indescribable peace. Because he had experienced for himself the faithfulness of God the first time he lost his job, he was able to face this newest challenge with a Spirit-given confidence, peace, and strength. The weeks of waiting went by more quickly this time, and the Lord made a way for Joe to find employment at an affiliate of his old company, where he would be doing the kind of work he had done in the past–work he felt the most confident doing. Though the salary was well below his temporary communications job, he was reinstated with all of his original vacation time, health benefits, and seniority–advantages that his previous job had lacked.
Because of these experiences, my husband gained a victory, and an intimate knowledge of God’s faithfulness, that no one can take away from him. He discovered how we can wake up with a problem one day, and by the end of the day, be free from it. He also discovered how trusting God, and remaining expectant, can keep God’s peace and joy flowing in our lives, making our periods of waiting more enjoyable and far less stressful. The Lord knows that we will be spending a good portion of our lives waiting on Him. Because of that, He has made a way for us to wait with peace and joy. But it’s up to us to take hold of these gifts by placing our trust in Him, and refusing to live in fear and doubt. If you are in a place of uncertainty right now, hoping for God’s direction and deliverance, dare to put your trust in Him, and to wait expectantly for Him to act on your behalf. Give Him the opportunity to prove to you that He is true to His Word which promises–“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him”! (Nahum 1:7 NIV)
Lord, in times of trouble and uncertainty, help me to trust You with all my heart. When I’m tempted to doubt or become fearful, remind me of how these attitudes can rob me of peace and joy. Thank You that no one who has faith in You will ever be disgraced for trusting You! (Psalm 25:3 TLB)
Putting Off Passivity
“God can do anything, you know–far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” Ephesians 3:20 MSG
In walking with the Lord all these years, one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that He doesn’t want me to passively accept my circumstances. In fact, He has shown me that a passive response to my circumstances demonstrates a lack of faith in Him and His Word. There are some definite steps that you and I can take whenever we are faced with difficulties, hardships, and confusion. Allow me to share some of them with you here.
First, seek God for His will in the situation. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is to assume that we know what the Lord’s will is in any given situation. Scripture makes this clear when it says that in every trial, we should consult God for His wisdom. James 1:5 (NIV) says: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” When we pray for God’s wisdom for our situation, we are asking for His perspective on it. And with His view of a matter in mind, we are more likely to receive the good outcome He has in store for us.
Second, dig into God’s Word and, with the Holy Spirit’s help, find promises that apply to your situation. Document those Scriptures that He makes alive to you. Put His promises to you in prayer form, and stand on them, believing that they will come to pass according to His perfect timing. By doing this, you are getting into agreement with God for the very best outcome He has in mind for you. The Bible says: “God is not a man, that He should lie. He is not a human, that He should change His mind. Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?” (Numbers 23:19 NLT) In other words, take God at His Word.
Third, expect God to move mightily on your behalf. Why is an attitude of expectancy so important? Because it puts you in a position to receive from God. Scripture promises: “The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him.” (Lamentations 3:25 AMP) In most cases, we are going to have to stand in faith for a while for the blessings and rewards God has for us. Those who wait with an expectant attitude will not only have more joy and peace while they wait, but they will be rewarded with the very best outcome.
Lastly, praise God for His faithfulness. I like to continually declare: “Thank You, Lord, that You are ever true to Your promises, and You can be depended on!” (1 Corinthians 1:9 AMP) If you will do this every time you are fearful or doubtful, faith will rise up in your heart, and you will be able to stand firm for the victory.
God’s plans and purposes for your life are far better than you could ever imagine. But in order for you to experience them, you need to do your part. Today, I urge you to begin putting these principles to work, and watch the Lord work wonders on your behalf!
Lord, forgive me for the times that I responded passively to my circumstances. Teach me how to seek Your perspective and Your promises for every situation I encounter. Fill me with an attitude of expectancy that invites Your miracle-working power. Thank You that as I cooperate with You, I will never fail to receive Your absolute best!
Your Change Will Come
I have been walking closely with the Lord for nearly twenty years, but even now there are some things that I still struggle with. While I’ve come a long way, and I’m not the person I was many years ago, I long to see some dramatic and lasting changes in certain areas of my life. I was thinking and praying about these things the other day, when the Lord led me to a verse in the book of Job that ministered encouragement to me. It says, “All the days of my struggle I will wait until my change comes.” (Job 14:14 NASB)
This was God’s loving way of letting me know that if I would simply keep my eyes on Him, and if I would trust Him to continue to work in my heart and life, that “change” that I am longing for will eventually manifest. The Amplified translation says, “I will wait till my change and release shall come.” That word “release” fills me with a fresh sense of hope every time.
This is God’s promise to you, too, if you are struggling in some area today. Don’t just wait for your change or release—but wait with expectation and hope. Look to the Lord and His plan of victory for you, and quote this verse often. Then rest assured that your change will come, not just for a day, but for all time!
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Where is Your Hope?
One of the most important lessons I have learned in studying the Scriptures is that our attitude can have a tremendous affect on God’s response to us and our prayers. Take Psalm 33:22 (AMP), for example. It says: “Let Your mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us, in proportion to our waiting and hoping for You.” God revealed to the author of this psalm that if he wanted the Lord to show him His love and mercy in his time of need, then he had to demonstrate to God that his hope was in Him alone, and that He was the One he was waiting on.
In fact, the phrase, “in proportion to,” indicates that how hard we lean on the Lord in times of difficulty and dilemma will have some bearing on the Lord’s response. It’s human nature to turn to other people when we are in trouble, or when we have a need. But those believers who make God their true source, and keep their focus on Him, will experience a manifestation of the Lord’s mercy and power that others won’t.
The NLT translation of this verse says: “Let Your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in You alone.” If you are in a painful place right now, ask yourself, “Where is my hope?” If it is not in God alone, then ask for His forgiveness, and pray that He will help you to adjust your focus. As you correct your attitude by His grace, you will position yourself to receive the perfect solutions and blessings He has for you!
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Our ‘Little’ Troubles
My husband, Joe, and I bought a new refrigerator a few months ago that came with a finicky ice maker. When the ice cubes stick together and won’t come out of the dispenser, I use a butter knife to dislodge them. I was doing this very thing one day when my husband scolded me and told me to be more gentle. He was right, because just a few minutes later, the ice maker began making horrendous grinding noises, and I feared that I had broken it. I immediately went to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to forgive my stupidity and carelessness, and to rectify the problem. I called the repair man first thing the next morning, and while I waited for him to arrive, I prayed and read my Bible. That’s when the Lord showed me a passage that encouraged my heart.
A group of prophets came to the great prophet Elisha and asked him to help them build a bigger place for them to meet. They all went to the Jordan River and began to cut down trees. As one of the men is chopping down a tree, his ax head falls into the water. He immediately cries out that it is a borrowed ax, and Elisha cuts a stick and throws it in the water where the ax head was last seen. As the iron head floats to the top of the water, the man retrieves it, and all ends well. (2 Kings 6:1-7)
This account is a word of encouragement for God’s people. It demonstrates the Lord’s loving care and provision for those who trust Him with even the most insignificant events of daily life. Scripture says, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7 NIV) There is no matter too small or insignificant in the eyes of our God. He cares about everything that concerns us, and He does not despise our petitions for seemingly trivial things. As I relied on Him to fix my ice maker problem, He provided the perfect service man to not only repair my ice maker, but to cause it to work better than ever. And because the warranty was still in effect, it didn’t cost me a penny.
Perhaps you have some “petty” concerns today that you are hesitant to pray about. Maybe you even caused some of these problems yourself. If so, I urge you to turn to the Lord right now, and to invite Him into your situation to bring about a favorable conclusion. You’ll be amazed at how eager He is to turn your “little” troubles into big blessings!
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