devotional – Inspirational Messages of God’s Greatness And Compassion

Sustainment Without Sustenance

I reflect on the beginning of the 2020 pandemic when most recreational events were starting to close and I asked myself how am I going to keep my sanity when the very things that keep me going are no longer in existence? As bad as I thought my situation was, I saw others that had it much worse. Businesses in all industries had to close leaving employees suddenly without jobs. I’m sure it was devastating to think how they were going to sustain their families and housing without any income. When what we are depending on to keep us is gone we ask; how do I sustain something with no sustenance?

I’ve seen so many instances and wonder how was that possible when it wasn’t possible. How you walk through a dangerous neighborhood often and not be attacked? How do you continue to live in a place in spite of not being able to pay rent? Why your body didn’t break down when pharmacy ran out of medicine? Why you don’t feel lonely even though you are alone? And so on. How is sustainment without sustenance possible? Jesus gave us the answer in Mark 10:27, basically what’s not possible with man is possible with God.

And God sustained me in 2020 and beyond. He showed me new ways to relax and clear my mind outside of the typical activities. I saw His other sustenance at work like giving business owners new ways to make sales via delivery apps. The government assisted people with income and rental assistance to sustain their families and so on. My lesson learned was that it wasn’t those activities that were sustaining my mind. It was God’s grace and mercy. He renewed them daily by sustaining me.

Scripture references:

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Psalms 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

It’s God’s Will

If faced with accepting tragedies or difficult outcomes

At what point do you keep praying for a favorable outcome

Or, realize this situation is God’s will and accept the unfortunate situation?

I’ve seen situations where I thought folks should just say it’s God’s will

A good example is praying for a person who is terminally ill

I would factor in science, like the age of a person, overall health, etc.

And based on science and reality, it’s unlikely they are going to recover

And I be tempted to tell them this

But I say nothing because, one, it would hurt them deeply

Two, It may backfire on me in terms of our relationship

Three, I’m not God and don’t know if He really will do a miracle

The reality is sometimes no matter how hard you pray, things won’t change

And we have to accept the unfavorable because it’s God’s will

Job said we won’t receive just good at God’s hands ¹

Some may argue you are not getting your prayers answered

Because your faith isn’t strong enough

After all, God said delight yourself in Him and He will give the desires of your heart²

And the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much ³

But, when is it realistic to stop praying and accept God’s will?

There is no answer, But God can make you comfortable regardless what state you are in

And God will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding.⁴

Scripture references:

¹ Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

² Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

³ James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

⁴ Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Rejected Or Not Wanted

What is a more hurtful emotional feeling than the one of being rejected or not wanted?

It may leave you angry, but likely to leave you sad or dejected

It hurts deeply, and is difficult to overcome

And the feelings may last years or even a lifetime

And they may sever relationships and associations

And these feelings could happen in any setting

Work – rejected for promotion

Home – not feeling loved or wanted by family member(s)

Relationship – rejected by someone you had interest in

Friend – not getting an invitation to their important event

Or not being notified of something important in their lives

At some point in our lives, many of us will experience some type of rejection

And it may leave us with a lot of questions

Like are we good enough? What did we do to deserve this?

There’s no definitive answer.
The fact is no matter who you are

Everyone is not going to like you

But it would lessen the problem if there was more love amongst people

Like the Bible says in Chapter 1 John 4:7-9.

Scripture references:

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.