3/17/07
Encouragement for Today
“Jehovah-Jireh” – Part 2
Susanne Scheppmann, Co-editor of Online Daily Devotions, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/speaker_susanne.htm
Key Verse:
Psalm 126:6, “He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (NIV)
Devotion:
In yesterday’s devotion, we learned about my friend, Monika, and the troubles she experienced within a short period of time — a move to a new state, the loss of her faithful dog, the death of her beloved husband. Unbelievably, yet another crisis lurked around the corner. Within a year, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. The destructive cancer dictated aggressive treatments: surgery, chemo and radiation.
She struggled with physical pain. However, in her heart she knew her God, Jehovah-Jireh, provided and cared for her. The pain in her body could not dampen the comfort in her soul. She no longer questioned God’s trustworthiness in her life. Her heart now cried out to Him, “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10, NIV)
Even though she felt like Job in the Old Testament, who lost everything including her health, Monika also knew that in the end God blessed him. For Scriptures states, “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.” (Job 42:12, NIV)
Now Monika didn’t receive fourteen thousand sheep. (Of which she is very grateful!) But the Jehovah-Jireh did pour out a few surprise blessings.
She fully recovered physically. No trace of cancer lingers in her body after four years. She feels wonderful physically, mentally and spiritually. Monika bubbles enthusiasm for life and boasts in the trustworthy hand of Jehovah-Jireh.
But wait there is more. Her youngest son, unbeknownst to her, entered her name in a national horse food contest. Can you guess who won the grand prize of a two-week equestrian vacation to the countryside of
Then she wrote an essay about cancer survivors, which won her a three-day trip to an ultra exclusive spa in
You see, despite the trouble and crisis that hit Monika’s life, God never left her. He stood beside her in the darkest of moments. Then He changed her tears of sorrow, to the joy of laughter.
And now, she wants to share that joyful knowledge with other people whose lives are hit with a tidal wave of despair. She is the living fulfillment of 2 Corinthians 1:3-5:
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. (NIV)
Take heart my friend, Jehovah-Jireh, our God, is there to provide for you no matter how dark your days may be. Take heart joy will come again. Take heart and share with other’s how God’ provides for you.
My Prayer for Today:
Lord, I thank You that You are always by my side to comfort me. Allow me the privilege to share Your goodness with others. Give me the correct words to comfort the hurting people that I meet. Thank You for the joy that comes after the weeping. I love You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Journal your thoughts about the different sorrows and joys you have encountered in your life. If you know someone who is going through a similar circumstance, give him or her a call to encourage or to rejoice with them. Remind them that God will provide in their time of heartache and their times of joy.
Reflection Points:
Can you think of different times God has surprised you with a blessing?
Did you recognize them from the hand of God?
Do you share with others the provision of Jehovah-Jireh in your life?
Power Verses:
John 14:18, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (KJV)
Psalm 51:12, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (NIV)
Acts 2:28, “‘You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'” (NIV)
Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (NIV)
Psalm 31:2-3, “Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Coming Out of the Dark, by Mary Southerland
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_outDark.htm
Intimate Moments with God, by select authors
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_intimateMoments.htm
Message of the Month Club
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/resourceMessage.htm
Originally published Friday, 17 March 2006.
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