I’ve been fortunate over the past couple of months to read some great books with inspiring stories and intriguing characters. People who have taken risks to help others or overcome tragic adversities. It’s made me wonder, what am I made of? Would I have the kind of courage it takes to harbor a Jewish child during the Holocaust or would I have shut myself off from the truth like so many others did? Could I have survived on a raft out on the Pacific for a month or would I have given myself over to the sharks?
I guess it comes down to something I read in my Bible study this morning. When facing adversity, how much will I try and do myself, and how much will I turn over to God? The Israelites were told to collect 2 omers of manna each morning, and somehow, every family gathered just enough for each day. If they tried to save it for another day, the manna would smell rotten and have maggots. Each day they walked outside their tents and gathered what God provided. It sustained them.
I hope that when I’m face with the trials of this life, I will do the same. Wake up every day seek God’s will. Open up my Bible and collect God’s mercy, which is new every morning, and use it to sustain myself. What am I saying? God didn’t promise to provide for his people on certain days, or when times were particularly tough. He promised to give them what they needed every day. And He promises the same to us. Life would be so much easier if I could learn to let go and let God provide.
So, true. Years & years ago, I went through a very difficult trial. Everyday I prayed, Lord get me through this. Lord just get me through this day. Many years later, I thought back on that time & realized, God had answered my prayer. He got me through each day. I was eternally grateful, and then I thought. I’m such an idiot. If I had known God was going answer my prayer, I should have asked him to make the problem go away!
That surely takes a lot of faith. It’s hard not to rely on myself and think that I’m in charge. Thanks for the reminder.
I find it more difficult when things are going well. It’s like I don’t want to “bother” God with my tiny problems. But that’s exactly what He wants. For me to rely on Him in ALL things, EVERY day. Oy vey, I hope I can take that lesson to heart and make it part of my life!
I read in a Bible study about Daniel that sometimes God saves us from the fire, sometimes He walks us through the fire, and sometimes He lets the fire consume us. You may have had to walk through that trial, I’m sure it made you a stronger person.
I really admire you and your beliefs. Everyone must have a true deity, who can understand life, such as you.