Manna for Your Morning

“But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned.” — Job 35:13 (NLT) In the midst of affliction and adversity, it may seem like God has abandoned you, or that your cries for help are falling on deaf ears. However, Psalms 34:15 (LSB) says: The eyes of Yahweh are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry for help. You can be assured that our Heavenly Father is always listening to the pleas of His children, and He will answer. In addition, 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) says to cast all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].  From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. — Psalms 61:2 (NKJV)

Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. — Isaiah 30:21 (NLT) In the midst of adversity and affliction, may we look unto Jesus, our Champion and listen for His voice. Jesus said, His sheep recognize His voice and they follow Him because they know His voice. They won't follow a stranger because they don’t know his voice. (John 10:3-5) Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 4:6)  When we give attention to God, He leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. In the Messiah, in Christ, God leads us from place to place in one perpetual victory parade. (2 Corinthians 2:14 MSG) Choose life. Choose to follow Jesus, in good times and bad, through the storms and in the fiery furnace, knowing you are on your way to a glorious place.

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. — Job 1:20 (NKJV) After being told that all his livestock were gone, his servants killed, and his ten children were dead Job fell to the ground and worshiped God. Job 1:22 says, in all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. After being struck with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head (Job 2:7), Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2:10) When faced with trials and adversity may we continue to draw near to God and worship Him. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. (Psalm 95:6) Never let the schemes of the enemy draw you away from our heavenly Father. He is our strength and refuge in time of trouble. May we worship Almighty G...

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. — James 1:2 (NLT) The Message Bible says, t o consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides (James 1:2). When faced with adversity, it is an opportunity to learn that we should not trust in ourselves but in God. In 2 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV), the Apostle Paul said, “ Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. ” Troubles present an opportunity for our faith and trust in God to grow and be strengthened. They draw us closer to our heavenly Father. Let us see challenges as a set-up for our great big God to show Himself strong and mighty. We can be confident that God will cause all things to work together for good. We can also take joy in knowing that in Jesus we have already overcome!

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. — 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NLT) In the midst of adversity, we do not lose heart. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV). When we get pressed, let’s press on! Press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us (Philippians 3:14 NLT). Press on knowing that God always leads us in triumph in Christ… (2 Corinthians 2:14 NKJV)!

“For I am the LORD, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.” — Malachi 3:6 (NKJV) Through the LORD’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-23). When the LORD is at the foundation of our lives, we are building on solid ground, because He does not change. We can count on Him to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His compassions never fail. His faithfulness and amazing love continues through the good times and through times of adversity. The LORD is good and He does good, always!

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find out nothing that will come after him. — Ecclesiastes 7:14 (NKJV) Regardless of the circumstances, this is the day the LORD has made. All of our days were written in His book before one of them came to be, so let us make the most of every moment. The present is what we have been given to work with. We cannot change the past and we do not know what tomorrow will bring. Therefore, seize every opportunity to follow God's purpose and plan for your life.

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, — Psalm 16:8-9 (NIV) When we keep our eyes on the LORD, our hearts are made glad, regardless of current circumstances. He is our strength in stormy seasons and enables us to overcome difficulties. We will not be moved by the harsh winds of adversity. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken (Psalm 62:6 NIV). Set the LORD always before you (Psalm 16:8 NKJV).

You let people ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance. — Psalm 66:12 (NIV) No matter how deep the troubled waters get or how hot the flames of adversity become, God promises to be with us. He will bring us through. He will not leave us, nor abandon us. Isaiah 43:2 says, when you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you (AMP). And once we have gone through, God brings us to a place of great abundance and rich fulfillment. Amen!

My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude — Psalm 62:7-8 (NLT) God is our safe place. He is our Rock of unyielding strength (Psalm 62:7b AMP). When the winds of adversity come, lean on the LORD. No matter what the doctor’s report says trust in the LORD and put your confidence in His Word. No matter how much negative news invades your atmosphere, completely rely on God! He is able to deliver you from all your troubles.

David answered ... “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, — 2 Samuel 4:9  (NKJV) God delivered David out of all his troubles. So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him (2 Samuel 5:10). I believe the secret to David’s success was that he habitually inquired of the LORD (2 Samuel 2:1, 5:19, 5:23, 21:1). Then he followed through and did as the LORD commanded him (2 Samuel 5:25). As we abide in God, we too can go from adversity to advancement. Keep seeking God's will in every situation and the setbacks you experience in life will eventually propel you forward into the glorious destiny God has for you!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. — Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV) God did not say we would never go through anything, but He does promise to be with us through it all. Our heavenly Father is faithful and He will not allow more than we can bear. We may go through fire and through water; but God will bring us out to rich fulfillment (Psalm 66:12b, NKJV). Even in the midst of the flames and in the floodwaters of adversity, we can find fulfillment of joy and peace in Him.

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face evermore! — Psalm 105:4 (NKJV) When you face various challenges, look to the LORD and His strength. Expectantly watch for Him to perform marvelous works in your midst. Seek His face at all times. In His Presence mountains melt like wax (Psalm 97:5). In Him, we have power to overcome adversity. As we abide in the LORD, His grace enables us to live victoriously. We overcome because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Hallelujah!

Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity, until the [inevitable] pit of corruption is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off nor spurn His people, neither will He abandon His heritage. — Psalm 94:12-14 (AMP) The fact that our great God will never abandon us or reject us gives us power to keep ourselves calm in the midst of adversity and troubling times. May the center of our being remain in perfect peace, no matter how challenging the circumstances appear. As you keep calm, listen for and follow the direction of the Lord.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;” — Isaiah 43:1-3 (NKJV) Let us be confident that our God stands by our side and He will see us through the storms. At times, it may seem that we are in over our heads, but He will not allow us to drown or be burned. If we continue to put one foot in front of the other, we will eventually pass through the difficult waters and through the flames of adversity. Rely on God to give you the strength and He will bring you through!

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. — 1 Timothy 1:19 (NLT) Avoid shipwreck! Keep your conscience clear and tightly hold on to your faith in Christ. He is our Life Preserver. Don't be moved by the winds of adversity nor tossed to and fro by violent waves. If we keep the faith and remember that we have the victory in Jesus, we can weather any storm and keep sailing on course, to our desired destination.

“For everyone will be seasoned with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.” — Mark 9:49-50 (NKJV) As we give ourselves to God, as living sacrifices, we will all experience the fire of adversity. It takes the fire to burn out impurities. However, once we get through it, we are well-seasoned with salt. And salt is good, it gives flavor and distinction. Let us be all about the things that will outlast the fire: sharing the love of God, forgiving others, preserving peace and living in harmony with one another.

You will keep him in perfect peace, w hose mind is stayed on You, b ecause he trusts in You.  — Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV) The LORD is our shelter from the storms of life. When the harsh winds of adversity blow and the floodwaters rise, He is our protection. Our heavenly Father is a place of peace. He will calm the storm of anxiety and fear within, and lead you to green pastures and still waters. Trust in and fix your thoughts on the LORD and He will keep you in perfect peace, even in the midst of the storm.

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore will I hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him. The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word].  — Lamentations 3:24-25 (AMP) Let your hope in the Lord serve as an anchor for your soul, keeping you steady when the winds of adversity blow. For if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance (Romans 8:25). Diligently seek the Lord and His will. Wait hopefully and expectantly to see His deliverance and the fulfillment of the wonderful plans He has for you!

And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the  LORD  gave Job twice as much as he had before. — Job 42:10 (NKJV) Job lost everything and greatly suffered with painful boils, all over his body. But Job persevered through the adversity and prayed for his friends, who had made many accusations against him. Then, God restored him. The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part (Job 42:12). After his troubles, Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations (Job 42:16). In the midst of whatever circumstances come our way, may we remember to take our eyes off of ourselves and pray for our friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc.