Scripture for Today:  II Corinthians 1:5  “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”

We are having an abundant harvest here in Alsace.  Squash of all sorts are making their appearance.  Our fertile plain fed by the Rhine River makes for some very rich farmland.  I love how many of the farms and even private residences will put out stands of their fresh produce.  For me, pumpkins represent an abundant harvest.

Our verse for today also talks about abundance; the abundance of suffering and the abundance of comfort.  Because of sin and our fallen world, there will be suffering for the believer.  Whether it is loss of health, income, or loss of loved ones, the Christian is not exempt.  But for the believer there is with the abundant suffering, comfort from Him that is just as abundant.

When I see others go through very difficult suffering, I wonder how they do it.  This verse gives me the answer.  They get through it by drawing on the abundant comfort He promises.  He is the God of all comfort (verse 3).

The future looms ahead of me with all sorts of potential suffering.  There will be age-related sufferings as the body breaks down.  There will be the deaths of older family members and friends.  Whatever suffering is in store, I can trust the Lord to come through for me.  His comfort will make all of it bearable.  I do not have to worry ahead of time or imagine the unimaginable.  When it is needed, His comfort will be there.

The abundant life of John 10:10 is not an easy painless life.  It is abundant because HE is there!  Thank you, Lord, that I can trust You to be the abundant comfort I need.

Scripture for Today:  Mark 10:24b-25 “Children, how hard it is for them that trust riches to enter into the kingdom of God.  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

Back in December, 1999 our family visited Cairo, Egypt.  What an experience it was to bring in the new millennium there!  Our whole family enjoyed a camel ride at the base of the pyramids.  Thankfully, none of the camels dumped us over or spit on us!

Camels are amazing in that they can carry 200 extra pounds and travel 20 miles a day.  They can drink 40 gallons of water at a time and can eat anything without injuring their mouths.  Camels can close their nostrils against wind and sand, and they store energy in their humps in the form of fat.  But one thing they are unable to do is go through the eye of a needle.

I love how God’s Word teaches through images!  In our verse for today, I can picture the shock of the disciples at this one!  He had just challenged the rich young ruler to sell all he had to follow Him.  The man felt unable to do it.  Jesus explained that those who trust in their riches were at a huge disadvantage.  They would not feel their need for a Savior.

Riches are often a blessing coming directly from God’s hand.  The problem comes when I place my confidence in my own resources rather than in Him.  Riches are uncertain (I Timothy 6:17) but the Lord is worthy of my trust.  He wants me in a place of dependance on Him.  As it turns out, knowing and loving Him is the best kind of riches!

Scripture for Today: I Corinthians 16:13  “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

There are days like this.  There are weeks like this!  I think I am fine and then suddenly I am face down in the dirt.  What happened?  Out of nowhere something unseen trips me up and I do not even have time to break my fall.

I will never forget slipping on a crowded city street in Orlèans.  I fell squarely on my bottom, but I did not care about that.  I cared more who saw me fall!  I fell because I was inattentive and distracted, just not paying attention.

In the spiritual realm, I can be just as inattentive.  I am lulled by routine.  When things are going smoothly, I am not necessarily looking ahead.  I do not see the pitfall to my faith that is just around the corner.  But there is plenty of occasion to fall.  Our verse for today tells me to be on the alert, watching.

For what am I to be watching?  The answer would be anything that could weaken my faith.  It could be worry over a family member or a health problem.  It could be financial concerns.  It could be loss of a loved one.  Everyday has the potential to weaken faith.  We are tempted to think God does not care.  We begin to doubt His love or His goodness.  Instead of standing firm, we sway and even fall.

Today’s verse sounds like a pep talk!  Thankfully, I am not left on my own.  When I look ahead He reassures my heart about the unknown future.  When I lose courage, He is there.  When I begin to sway, He reaches out His arm to steady me.  Thank you, Lord, for helping me stand firm!

Scripture for Today: James 1:5-6  “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

My husband and I had the privilege of touring the Holy Land  with a group of French pastors in the mid nineties.  Part of that tour involved crossing the Sea of Galilee by boat.  We thought it strange to experience a sudden squall much like the disciples and Jesus did in Matthiew 8:23-27.  Thankfully, our storm was small, although it did toss us about a bit.  The wind was so strong and seemed to come up out of nowhere.

Our verse for today is a promise.  God promises wisdom to those who ask Him in faith.  He never reproaches.  He is generous and gives to everyone liberally.  The condition is that one asks in faith without any doubting.

The one who doubts is described as surf or waves tossed by the wind.  There is hesitation, uncertainty, and wavering.  The one doubting is unstable, first going in one direction and then another.  Those who doubt are at the mercy of the wind.

Asking anything of Him without faith makes no sense.  Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.  Hebrews 11:6 tells us that to approach Him at all one must believe that He is there and that He will reward those who diligently seek Him.

His wisdom makes me stable and resolute.  His wisdom makes me single-minded and focused.  How much better it is to ask for His wisdom than be tossed by doubts!  Thank you, Lord, that with You there is no wavering!