Reading: Psalm 7:1-9
There are probably many times in life that things don't seem right or fair. Maybe you feel like you've been dealt the bad hand of cards in life and that everyone around you gets the benefits of life while you are left forgotten and struggling to keep afloat. I know that I experience this from time to time, especially with the bills don't stop rolling in, and all I've heard are complaints all day. But we can learn from David in this case. He certainly hasn't been handed the best of situations as he continually runs from enemies that pursue him. I couldn't imagine keeping faith like his under such circumstances. But he remains confident that God will judge his enemies and that God will protect him. He doesn't blame God, nor curse his life, but holds tight to faith and hope.
When life pushes us around and we find ourselves feeling beat up and forgotten, we can hold on to the promises that God will come through and place judgement where judgement is due. It may seem hard to understand why we are in the situation we're in, but we can remember Who is looking out for us and Who is on our side.
When have you felt like life is just too much to handle?
How do you handle it when life seems to be nonstop and just unfair?
Reading: Matthew 7:24-8:22
We see great faith play out in the readings here. First, we are told to have a solid foundation and to build up our foundations so we can weather life's storms. Though life can throw some nasty situations our way, our foundation will shine its true colors during those times. Whether you carry faith to get you through those times and hold on to God when life gets hard, or run far away, and abandon everything you felt for God, this will tell how strong your foundation is and what you're building it on. A life built on faith and trust in God will help you to withstand the storms; anything else will fall.
From here, we see examples of faith play out, as people approach Jesus to be healed. Because of their faith, Jesus heals them. Their faith makes them well. We also get a look at the cost of following Jesus. He says to leave ALL behind to follow His ways. Where is your heart at when it comes to placing your stake and foundation in the Lord? Do you put other things in life at the top of your list or do you strive to carry out His will and mission in you life on a daily basis? Life will get rough, but your foundation will make or break you.
What kind of foundation do you think you have? Has it ever been tested?
We read that faith made many well, as Jesus healed them because of their faith. What evidence do you see in the reading of the faith these people had?
Reading: Genesis 19:1-20:18
As we continue with this theme of the hard stuff of life, we continue on with the story we began in yesterday's Genesis reading. Abraham had pleaded with the Lord to spare Sodom and Gomorrah for only 10 righteous people. Today, we learn that there weren't even 10, as God sends angels to destroy the city. However, God still spares Lot and his family. Though Lot was hesitant to leave this life he knew, the angels led him, his wife and daughters from the city and then destroyed it. Lot's wife looks back, and she becomes a pillar of salt, a punishment that seems harsh, but symbolizes how important it is for us to not look back to the old lives we had before staking a life with Christ. This is reflected later in the gospels.
We also read about how Abraham lies about Sarah being his wife so he isn't killed for her. This is the second time we read about Abraham doing this. Yet we see how merciful God is to him. This goes to show that no matter how many times we mess up and fall into sin, God will still use us to do great things. He shows great mercy towards us, and He has plans for all of us. Let this be an encouragement to all of us, as we all could use the mercy, but certainly don't deserve it.
What is something you've turned from in life in terms of the old life you used to live? Have you ever looked back?
How has God proven His mercy over again in your life, despite how many times you mess up?
We will encounter those time of unexplainable disappointment in life, and at times, life will just seem unfair and tough. But we need to remember that no matter how hard it gets, God is still God and He is still in control. If we display confidence in Him, like David did, and know He will take care of us no matter how hard it gets, we can build ourselves a foundation that will withstand any storm. And though we will mess up, over and over again, we can be reassured that God will still use us to carry out His magnificent work. Let this be an encouragement to us all.
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