Sustained by God
Do you need encouragement? In this study, Peter’s words offer joy and hope in times of trouble.
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“For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:16).
These words come from an amazing story of God’s intervention in one woman’s life.
God sustained a widow and her son throughout a drought that lasted three years with flour and oil that should have made only one more meal.
Because the woman believed Elijah when he told her the flour and oil would not run out and because she obeyed his instruction to make a cake of bread for him first, she experienced the limitless provision of God.
Lately the demands of life have caused my mental and emotional energy to be poured out continually. In these Old Testament words, I hear hope.
The God who was able to miraculously replenish the supply of flour and oil, is the same God who is able to sustain me. Though I feel used up and running dry, God is the One who can renew and refresh me.
I too must believe that God can and will care for me.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). All your needs: physical requirements, emotional needs, spiritual necessities; God will meet every one.
I also am called to obey. When there is nothing specific that God has asked me to do, I must walk in obedience to the things He has revealed to me – to love God, to love my neighbor, to be patient and kind, to be generous and faithful and self-controlled.
Though my faith be a small speck and my obedience faltering, I rest in the wonderful knowledge that God will carry me, He will provide for me, He alone will sustain me.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for sustaining me through all the troubles of life. Without you, I would not survive.
Questions: How has God sustained you? How does your focus change when you realize that it is not all up to you?
About the Author Suzanne Benner
Daily audio podcast: A second daily devotional, Hardhearted, today on the Men’s Devotional Blog
God meets my needs every day
My heart goes out to you women as you have shared the deep and painful wounds of your hearts.
God, I lift up Deborah to you. Thank you that You are able to sustain us in the midst of such pain. I pray that You would give Deborah a moment of joy with her daughter today. Strengthen her with Your love, fill her with Your presence, give her the knowledge of Your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding, provide the patience and endurance that she needs for today, because she does not have any of her own. Remind her that You have not forgotten her.
I pray also for Virginia, thank you for showing her the mission field that lives within her home. Help her to demonstrate Your love, Your gentleness, Your peace, Your patience, Your faithfulness to her husband regardless of how he acts. I pray that You would soften his heart and help him to see Your great love and his great need. Thank you for Sharon’s testimony to the truth that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Amen.
I know that this particular experience I’m mentioning is definately different than yours Deborah, however, I can tell you that God in all His Grace and mercy can and will sustain even in the very worst of times (situations you never dreamed possible!). From Thanksginvg Day 2006 through Dec. 21st 2006, my life literally turned upside down! First, on Thanksgiving Day we were told my 37 yr. old son-in-law (absolutely dream son-in-law), had a very rare incurable disease (amalydosis), and this was a very healthy kid who worked out, ate right etc. This was a real shock which was very difficult. Then on the evening of Dec. 21st, my beautiful 19 yr. old first grandaughter was instantly killed in an autombile accident. I can tell you there is not a more intense physical pain brought on by an emotional event, and if there is, I pray I never have to find out what it is! However, God is so very good and faithful, even when we do not understand and maybe even yell at Him! He has brought all of us through, and He has promised to “never leave or forsake”. I can also tell you that I went through a divorce many years ago and the Lord also brought me and my 5 girls through a very stressful time. God is so very faithful, and will guide you, as He has me!
I am waiting on God for His deliverance in an extremely debilitating marriage right now. My husband, whom I am comitted to, has shut down for the past six weeks and walked through our home as though I either didn’t exist or was a disgusting, foul varmint meant only to be stomped on and thrown aside. I have a precious two year old daughter who is dealing with all the emotions of her father being gone for days in a row, a mother who is trying so hard to meet her needs but whose focus is torn between her and the emotional devastation that comes with such times, and who is just needing some simple, free of sorrow playtime and loving. The situation continues to mount, and it seems we’ve reached a peak (and this after a year of high stress, abuse, and utter decay in our relationship); I pray that the Lord breaks my husband’s heart and brings him to his knees before God (he is not a Christian). I pray that God will cover my daughter with protection and heal her wounded young heart. I pray that God will give me strength to meet her needs, and will continue to fill me with His great love so that I can be who He created me to be to the fullest.
Blessings on all this day. There are many whose lives are being torn and turned upside down by abusive spouses (verbally, mentally, and physically), and I pray for the Lord’s comfort and deliverance for all who are experiencing that right now.