Beauty and Bands
As I mentioned before, with our upcoming ladies' meetings on the horizon, I've been knee-deep in fairy tale themes and decorations. I confess that even during my quiet time with the Lord this morning, my mind was still swirling with images of glass slippers and enchanted roses. So when I opened my Bible to Zechariah 11 and read about Beauty and Bands, I couldn't help but smile at God's sense of humor.
"And I took unto me two staves; the one I called Beauty, and the other I called Bands; and I fed the flock." (Zechariah 11:7)
Beauty and Bands. It immediately transported me to the beloved tale of Beauty and the Beast. You know the story—a beautiful young woman, a cursed prince, a magical rose, and the power of true love. But as I continued reading, I realized God wasn't telling me a fairy tale. He was revealing something far more profound.
The Comfort of God’s Everlasting Arms
Have you ever noticed how parents instinctively position themselves to catch their children? Whether teaching a toddler to walk or spotting a child learning to ride a bike, their arms are always underneath, ready to catch their precious ones when they fall. It's a natural response—one born of love and an intense desire to protect.
This morning, as I was reading in Deuteronomy, a familiar verse caught my attention in a new way. "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). I've read this verse countless times, but today, that word "underneath" jumped off the page and grabbed my heart.
Why underneath? Of all the ways God could have positioned His arms—around us, beside us, or even above us—He specifically tells us His everlasting arms are underneath.
Partridges, Promises, and Peace
I never thought I'd write a devotion about partridges, but here we are. You see, I'd always pictured partridges as elegant birds, similar to doves. But when I saw a couple in my yard the other day, I was in for a surprise. These birds were round, more like a bowling ball than a dove. It got me thinking about how often our expectations don't match reality.
Consider the story of Sarah and Abraham, a tale of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Despite their old age and childlessness, God promised them a son. Sarah, in her disbelief, even laughed at the news. Yet, God kept His promise, and they were blessed with a son, Isaac. It wasn’t what they expected, but it was far better than they could have imagined.
Even If He Doesn’t
Once upon a fiery furnace, there were three men with unpronounceable names, and their story is a blazing example of faith even when it appears perplexing. The heat was on, and I don't mean a scorching summer day. King Nebuchadnezzar had ordered Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to bow down and worship an image of gold. The price for non-compliance? A one-way ticket to the fiery furnace. Yikes!
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. - Daniel 3:16-17 (emphasis mine)
God’s Rescuing Hand
Last week, we received a long-awaited response from the UK government concerning the appeal set forth by our sponsors. The news wasn't good. The request was denied, and our sponsors' license was revoked. What does this mean for us? From the time of that decision, we have 60 days to set up a new sponsorship and get a new visa or leave the country. You know those rollercoaster rides at amusement parks? Yep, that's exactly how our emotions have been taking us for a spin lately. Anxiety, stress, and frustration have been our not-so-friendly companions during this journey.
Resting in the Word of the King
The situation was dire. Resistance seemed futile. Hope was hanging by a thread. Yet, in the midst of what appeared to be complete destruction, the people rested themselves in the words of the king. On the eve of battle, Hezekiah gave a compelling speech, reminding the people who was fighting with them and for them. Sure, Sennacherib had a big army and a bully attitude, but Judah had God on their side. And with that reassurance, the people stopped shaking in their boots and found peace in the situation.