Be Still

Although Andrew enjoyed working as a deputy head in a secondary school, he felt God calling him into ordained ministry. After resigning his position, he needed to discern where to train. But then Covid hit.

He was inclined to barrel ahead with arrangements, but as he pondered Psalm 46, he sensed God inviting him to pause and trust Him: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). “I heard it as a definite command, yet there was a sense of release and relax in that,” he reflected.

Each time Andrew was tempted to organise the next steps, he was reminded of this verse. And each time he stopped and trusted. Eventually he was thrilled when God led him to just the right theological college, which has since been a blessing for him, his family and his church. The psalmist who wrote this song may have penned it for public worship, calling the people to remind themselves of God’s character in times of trouble. He urged them to surrender their all to God, He who is not only their rock and refuge, but who will be exalted by all the nations. Because God is mighty and because He loves us, we too can still ourselves before Him, trusting that He will be our ever-present help in times of trouble (v. 1) or change. We affirm that He is with us (v. 7). Amy Pye - Daily Bread

Delivering Help

When Heather’s job took her to Tim’s house to deliver his take-out meal, he asked her to help him untie the knot in the food bag. Tim had suffered a stroke a few years prior and no longer had the ability to untie the knot himself. Heather cheerfully obliged. Throughout the rest of her day, Heather’s thoughts frequently returned to Tim and she was inspired to assemble a care package for him. When Tim later found the hot cocoa and red blanket she’d left at his door with an encouraging note, he was moved to tears.

Heather’s delivery became much more significant than she originally anticipated. The same was true when Jesse sent his young son David to supply his brothers with food when the Israelites “drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:2). When David arrived with the bread and cheese, he learned Goliath had been instilling fear in God’s people with his daily taunting (vv. 8-10, 16, 24). David was incensed by Goliath’s defiance of “the armies of the living God” (v. 26) and was moved to respond, saying to King Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him” (v. 32). God sometimes uses the circumstances of our daily lives to put us in places where He wants to use us. Let’s keep our eyes (and hearts!) open to see where and how He might want us to serve someone. Kirsten Holmberg - Daily Bread

Persist in Praying

Mila, a baking assistant, felt too helpless to defend herself when her supervisor accused her of pilfering some raisin bread. The unfounded assertion and corresponding salary deduction were just two of many wrongful actions from her supervisor. “God, please help,” Mila prayed each day. “It’s so hard working under her, but I need this job.”

Jesus tells of a widow who also felt helpless and “sought justice against [her] adversary” (Luke 18:3). She turned to someone with the authority to resolve her case—a judge. Despite knowing that the judge was unjust, she persisted in approaching him. The judge’s eventual response (vv. 4-5) is infinitely different from that of our heavenly Father, who quickly responds with love and help. If persistence could cause an unjust judge to take up a widow’s case, how much more can and will God, who is the just Judge, do for us (vv. 7-8)? We can trust Him “to bring about justice for his chosen ones” (v. 7) and being persistent in praying is one way of showing our trust. We persist because we have faith that God will respond in perfect wisdom to our situation.

Eventually, Mila’s supervisor resigned after other employees complained about her behaviour. As we walk in obedience to God, let’s persist in praying, knowing the power of our prayers lies in the One who hears and helps us. Karen Huang - Daily Bread

A Handful of Rice

The state of Mizoram in northeast India is slowly climbing out of poverty. Despite their lack of income, since the gospel first came to this area, believers in Jesus have practiced a local tradition called “handful of rice.” Those preparing meals each day set aside a handful of uncooked rice and give it to the church. Mizoram churches, poor by the world’s standard, have given millions to missions and sent missionaries around the world. Many in their home state have come to Christ.

In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul describes a similarly challenged church. Believers in Macedonia were poor, but that didn’t keep them from giving joyfully and abundantly (vv. 1-2). They saw their giving as a privilege and gave “even beyond their ability” (v. 3) to partner with Paul. They understood they were merely stewards of God’s resources. Giving was a way to show their trust in Him, who provides for all our needs.

Paul used the Macedonians to encourage the Corinthians to have the same approach to giving. The Corinthians excelled “in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in . . . love.” Now they needed to “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7). Like the Macedonians and the believers in Mizoram, we too can reflect our Father’s generosity by giving generously out of what we have. Matt Lucas - Daily Bread