To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 It is…
God is the God of order. He ordered the present world into existence in a series of events that each complimented the next task until it was complete. In the letters to the church at Corinth, God used Paul to spell out order within the church. He explained that God…
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” I John 4:18. Fear entered my room. I was paralyzed. Something powerful had hold of me, like a heavy weight on my back. I have…
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (I John 4:18, NKJV) The morning news is really not the best way for me to start my day. A constant stream of…
“You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” Psalms 8:2 NLT I was watching a sermon online a few months ago and I was changed forever, and I don’t say that lightly. I struggle with fear, even more so…
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 Did you know that men can actually turn their brains off and think of absolutely nothing? When I first learned this fact, I was completely stunned.…
“Then Caleb quieted the people in the presence of Moses and said, ‘Let’s go up now and take possession of the land because we can certainly conquer it!’ But the men who had gone up with him responded, ‘We can’t attack the people because they are stronger than we are!’”…
“Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today … The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:13-14). As a child, I sometimes had scary dreams that caused me to call out for…
“And he knew it, and said, It is my son’s coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces” (Genesis 37:33 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible).
We’ve all been there. When we contemplate the worst case scenario and a feeling of dread overwhelms us. At least once a month I get caught in a serious case of worrying because my husband is not home as promptly as I think he should be. I can’t reach him on his cell phone and I start jumping to conclusions of what might have happened. Reading our devotional verse made me downright angry with Joseph’s brothers because of the grief they caused their father. Jacob surmised what could have happened to Joseph when he saw the bloody coat. Don’t jump to conclusions when it comes to your children. Reading the story of Joseph’s life, we understand how God protected and promoted him despite all odds. This gives me hope that God has everything in His control!
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for all the parents who are genuinely concerned about their children. May this story serve as a reminder not to give up even though the situation looks hopeless. Only God knows how many more chapters are ahead.
Devotion by Kaye Singleton