Manna for Your Morning

But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”  — Ruth 1:20-21 (NKJV) First, Naomi lost her husband, then her two sons died. In Ruth 1:13, she said, “the hand of the LORD has gone out against me!” Sometimes, our pain has a way of distorting our perspective of God. Despite the bitter life events you may face, remember that God is for you and He is with you. His Holy Spirit who dwells within us, is our comforter and helper. Naomi’s story is one of perseverance. Even though she returned to her home town empty, she had more than she realized. God was with her and her daughter-in-law, Ruth, stood by her side and listened to her instruction. As a result, Ruth married Boaz and bore a son, and Naomi was able to care for her grandchild. Then the women said to N...

But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. — Genesis 45:5 (NKJV) Perspective, “ how ” we choose to look at a situation is so important. Joseph could have looked at his brothers selling him into slavery as a betrayal and an attempt to destroy him. This perspective would have led to bitterness and unforgiveness. Instead, Joseph recognized that God used the events in his life to put him in the right position, to serve as a life preserver for His people. So don’t look at the troubles you can see now; rather, fix your gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things which are seen are temporary. (2 Corinthians 4:18). They will come to pass. However, when we fix our eyes on our mighty God, and His faithfulness and trust Him day by day, we will maintain a proper perspective. And He will get us in the right place at the right time, regardless of the circumstances that come and go.

And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” — 1 Kings 19:14 (NKJV) When you're on fire for God and doing all that He calls you to, the enemy will take notice. After the prophet Elijah had a great victory, Jezebel threatened to take his life. He hides in the wilderness, where he prayed that he might die (1 Kings 19:4). Elijah was in such a distressed state that he believed he was the only one left serving God. In reality God had reserved 7,000 loyal servants, in Israel (1 Kings 19:18). Don’t let the enemy give you the wrong perspective. You are never alone. Our awesome God is our constant companion and mighty King.

Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” — 1 Samuel 17:45 (NKJV) Goliath, the Philistine giant, challenged the armies of Israel for forty days. While the rest of the Israelites were dismayed and greatly afraid, David took a stand against his enemy. Instead of being fearful and intimidated, he activated his faith. He did not concern himself with the size of Goliath. David saw the situation from a higher viewpoint. He kept his eyes on God and trusted Him to deliver him from Goliath, just as God had delivered him in the past (1 Samuel 17:37). So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him (1 Samuel 17:50). If you want to conquer the giants in your life, adjust your line of sight. Instead of looking at the problem, shift your point of view. How you see the situa...