Devotional Song: … GO TO THIS LINK … Please take the time to take in a video of the lyrics from Laura Story singing her poignant song … Blessings, expressing the reality that often we have trouble recognizing God’s blessings because of the challenges of life.
Highlight Passage: Exodus 16:14-15 [NKJV] …
14 And when the layer of dew lifted, there, on the surface of the wilderness, was a small round substance, as fine as frost on the ground. 15 So when the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was.
… Sometimes we have trouble recognizing God’s blessings, because of life’s challenges hiding them.
============
Highlight Context – Exodus 16:11-31 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… God’s people had trouble recognizing God’s “manna;” but it was His provision for their sustenance and needs.
============
Reference Passage #1 - Habakkuk 3: 17-18 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Habakkuk was a confused Prophet, who finally was led to see that God is totally in control and always loves His children and provides for our needs.
Reference Passage #2 - Romans 8: 28 [NKJV] …
28 All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purposes.
… But do we really trust Him to provide for our needs when we’re challenged to blindness for His providence.
Reference Passage #3 - Hebrews 13:5-6 [NKJV] … USE THIS LINK …
… Repeating from Deut. 31: 6 and Ps. 118:6, the Author of Hebrews exhorts our confidence in a God which we sometimes just don’t understand, especially when we end up with more questions than answers.
My Journal for Today: Today’s Our Daily Bread author, Jennifer Benson Schuldt, reminded me of God often masquerading His providence from His children, showering them (us) with His blessing even when we don’t recognize it as such.
That’s what Laura Story sings about in today’s linked devotional song; and it’s what happened to God’s people just as Moses and Joshua led His children into the wilderness, where they would wander for 40 years. Above, in Exodus 16, we read of God providing food for the people in the form of “manna” (see attached photo). But the people, when the manna rained down from heaven, were saying, “Really, God, what is it?” Hence the name “manna,” which comes from the Hebrew word meaning, “WHAT?”
And that’s what happens many times with us when we have trouble recognizing what’s going on around us or in our lives. It happened to the confused Prophet, Habakkuk, who called out to God in his song of dismay and discouragement. But finally, after much consternation and concern, God led the Prophet to realize that nothing could/would steal his joy if he was able to trust God and have faith that the Lord would provide … as Jehovah Jireh, … our Provider [see Habakkuk 3:17-18].
At times - especially tough times - it’s hard to see and believe in the truth of Romans 8: 28 or Hebrews 13:5-6, isn’t it? But God’s word is either true or false; and I choose to believe in the former. … How about you?
My Prayer Today: Heavenly Father, … Reign down Your providence and help me to see it as Your blessing and mercy. Amen
Blogger Note: Everyday during this year, my daily devotional blogs are influenced by the reading and study of the online devotional blog entitled Our Daily Bread, distributed online via email by RBC Ministries. If you GO TO THIS LINK on the date of my blog, you can read/study the ODB blogs; or you can subscribe to the blog via email at that site.
No comments:
Post a Comment