God Alongside of Us

All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us. We have plenty of hard times that come from following the Messiah, but no more so than the good times of his healing comfort—we get a full measure of that, too. 1 Corinthians 1:3


The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd. Hebrews 11:1


In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So, don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?

                        My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline,

                                    But don’t be crushed by it either.

                        It’s the child he loves that he disciplines,

                                    The child he embraces, he also corrects.

God is educating you, that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you are in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Hebrews 12:5-6


I recently read Lori Snyder Sloan’s devotion book and take these words from there now:

            
The Lord will lead us through all the unsure, unclear, doubtful,

hesitant, and questioning moments that are mine as I search to

find the right way in which to go.


I need to realize others around the world are going through this pandemic with me, my family and my friends. Many have it much worse than we do. We are fortunate to be here in the Midwest with open areas to be outside. It is good to know there are good times ahead of us as stated in 1 Corinthians. He will comfort us until that time. He is watching us and he is loving us as his children. Sometimes I wonder what I am to learn in this time. What is he training me to do? I do believe we will all find out in due time. 


Prayer: Dear Lord, creator of all, please guide and direct our lives at this time. We place our lives in your hands. Please lead to the path that will deepen and strengthen our relationship with you. Use us Lord to help others after we have had your training. Help us to move ahead and not feel sorry for ourselves in this coronavirus pandemic. Amen.


Sandra Hilsabeck