Walking With God Through Every Storm
Thursday, January 4
Job 1:21-22 (NKJV)
“And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.”
Devotion
As we raise a toast to a brand new year, the excitement of fresh beginnings mingles with the whispers of uncertainty. What will 2024 hold? Will it be a year of sunshine and calm seas, or will we face storms that test our resilience? Whatever the journey ahead may bring, let us find solace and strength in the unwavering promise of God, beautifully captured in the words of Job 1:21-22: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job, a man known for his righteousness, faced unimaginable suffering. He lost his wealth, his children, and even his health. Yet, amid this devastation, he uttered these words, not in bitterness but in acceptance and faith. He recognized that everything we have comes from God and that everything, even the painful things, can be returned to Him. This verse is a powerful reminder that our possessions, circumstances, and even our loved ones are not ours to keep. They are gifts from God, entrusted to us for a time. And when He chooses to take them away, it is not a sign of His displeasure but rather an opportunity for us to surrender fully to His will.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank You for all You did for me in 2023. I give You the praise that You so greatly deserve. I desire for 2024 to be a year of growing stronger in You. Please help me to walk in Your wisdom and strength this year more than ever before. I ask that You open my heart to Your whispers of love and guidance. I commit to listen to Your gentle promptings, I will follow You with every fiber of my being; body, mind, soul, and spirit. Your Word tells me in James 4:7 to draw close to You and You will draw close to me, and I am determined to draw close to You throughout this year. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
As we step into the unknown of the New Year, let us hold onto this truth. We may encounter storms, face challenges, and experience loss. But through it all, God walks with us. He is our anchor in the roughest seas, our compass in the thickest fog. He promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). So, let us walk into this New Year with open hearts. Let us release our anxieties and fears, knowing that God is in control. And when the storms come, be encouraged by the following scriptures;
- Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV), "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
- Romans 8:28 (NIV), "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
- Psalm 46:10 (NIV), "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
Resources:
- Build your life on the solid rock as you listen to the message, “Anchored”.
- Sign up for the Spring semester of School of Discipleship, and receive healing through our restoration and life courses.