Day 10: Provision in Storms

Reading: Psalm 7:10-17

As we continue forward with the theme of hardships in life, we see David respond to the temptations and enemies he deals with. Though trial after trial comes for him, we read that David encourages us to take up a shield in Christ when those temptations and storms hit. We can all relate with temptation. Though sometimes it does indeed feel tempting to have a moment of weakness and fall into a night of destruction, he warns us sternly that these thoughts are like "conceiving evil, which will make you pregnant with trouble and give birth to lies." When you really think about where temptations lead you, David is spot on. At the time of giving in, you may feel like it's all ok and that you can handle one little slip. But eventually it will probably come back to bite you and destruct you, leaving you doing everything you can to cover up your guilt - even if it means sinning more with lying or running from the problem.
Heed David's advice when it comes to these hard times. Storms will come and temptations will entice, but we are to look to the Shield of Protection to guard our hearts.

When have you been tempted and gave in? How did this come back to haunt you eventually?



What do you do when temptations come your way?



Reading: Matthew 8:23-9:13

It's good to know that we're not the only ones who cry out during a storm, whether that be a real storm or a life storm. As we read about the disciples calling out the Jesus in the midst of this storm (which must have been a bad one as the disciples were fishermen and knew about storms), we can see a parallel here between this storm and storms we encounter in life. The disciples call out to Jesus, Who is sleeping through it, and He rises up and asks where their faith is. But He calms the storm and the disciples are left in awe of how the wind and waves have listened.
We meet a couple men with storms in their lives as they are possessed by demons. Jesus again, steps in and calms this storm and sends the demons away to drown with pigs.
Later we see Jesus call Matthew to follow Him. And that night, He has dinner with Matthew and other tax collectors and people who aren't seen as very high is society. Jesus sticks up for His actions by asking "do the healthy need a doctor, or the sick." This comment alone has raised quite a controversy in churches today. Is church for the spiritually well, or those who need it most? The message version translates part of this portion of our reading to "I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." Talk about a blunt statement to the church. But this is what Jesus did. He didn't follow the Pharisees around and try to please their needs for the happenings of the church (or the mission, as church wasn't yet called "church".) Jesus ignored them completely in many cases, and spoke against what they were doing the other times. 
We can learn that when it comes to the storms of life, and the storms in our churches, we are to simply do what Jesus did. 

What areas of your life do you experience storms? What do you do when you face these storms?



How does your church do when it comes to following Jesus' example in this case? Does it cause a stir to abandon what those who already believe desire and strive to bring in outsiders?



Reading: Genesis 21:1-23:20

We can still remember that God will provide, even in the seemingly impossible circumstances in our lives. We see it over and over again in this part of today's reading. 
God upholds His promise, and gives Abraham and Sarah a son. This is something that they never thought would happen, yet God has made possible the impossible. I can relate to this in my own way, as I grew up thinking I'd never get to have my own child. I'm all for adoption and my husband and I are still planning on taking that route. But after much prayer and asking God for direction, we got pregnant, and so far (7 months in) we are doing wonderfully. My faith has been tested many times throughout, but every time, there is a glorious light that shines through the tough times of this process. And though this doesn't even compare to the miracle God worked in Abraham and Sarahs' lives, I can definitely see how God provides in amazing ways.
We also see how God provided for Hagar and Ishmael. After they are told to leave and make it on their own in the wilderness, God hears their cries for provision. He takes care of them and shows them their importance in this story. 
A huge way we see God provide for Abraham is when he takes his son to be a sacrifice. God is simply seeing Abraham's priorities. It is so easy to cling to the things we have (even family members and loved ones) that we forget to put God as number one in our lives. In almost following through with God's instructions, Abraham is stopped by God before sacrificing his son, and is provided with an alternative. But because Abraham was so willing to do what God told him to, we see how faithful he was. 
We can count on God's provision! We may not see it always in the way we would like, or as soon as we would like, but His timing and ways are perfect. 

When have you faced a time in life that just seemed impossible to get through? How did God show up for you in a big way? Or even a small way?



 Have you ever been tested in putting God first in your life? How would you do in that test?



 

When we need to face the seemingly impossible times in life, we can definitely see from today's reading that He can definitely pull through for us. We can count on storms in this life, in all areas of life, including within the church. All we need to remember during these times are to use God has your protective shield, do as Jesus did, and thank Him for His provision during these times. He can make the impossible possible.