Everything Happens For a Reason
Chin Up
Daily Devotion – January 25th, 2021
“They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.” – Psalm 105:40-41 ESV
From our perspective, Israel’s exodus from Egypt seems inevitable and even easy. But we know it was anything but easy. Everything about the journey was perilous. With overwhelming needs, they faced a constant stream of dangers and unknowns.
They must have had constant questions that needed answers. Moses might have given them promises from God, but they still had doubts. How would they escape the mighty Egyptian army? With no clear signposts, how would they know where to go? How would they find food and water in a barren wilderness?
Each of us has our versions of experiences like these – problems that seem impossible to solve, difficulties that seem too great, uncertainties, and questions. These are moments to remember all that God did for the Israelites.
Over and over, He did what seemed impossible. To people with no resources, He provided silver and gold. When there seemed to be no food, He fed them with quail. He didn’t just give them some bread, but an abundance. In a place without water, He provided water that gushed out of a rock, flowing “like a river.”
Why did God do these things? He was keeping His promises and the covenant He had established with Abraham.
Remember, nothing is impossible with God. You can trust Him. Stand on His Word. Believe that He will make a way for you even when there doesn’t seem to be a way.
Prayer
Father, I stand on Your Word. I believe nothing is impossible for You. I trust You for everything I need. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading
Psalm 105
Douglas Speaks: Trusting God
The Bible in a Year – Day 6 – Trust in the Lord
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 6: Trust in the Lord
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The Bible in a Year – Day 36 – Manna From Heaven
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 36: Manna from Heaven
Fr. Mike talks about how God trains the Israelites to trust him in the wilderness, and how we can grow in our own faithfulness to the Lord. Today we read Exodus 15-16, Leviticus 11, and Psalm 71.
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The Bible in a Year – Day 59 – Obligations to God
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 59: Obligations to God
As we read Numbers 8-9, Deuteronomy 8, and Psalm 93, Fr. Mike reflects on how the Israelites were expected to celebrate Passover in all circumstances, learned to trust that God would lead them to where they needed to go, and needed to remember God in times of abundance as well as darkness.
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The Bible in a Year – Day 62 – Spies Sent to Canaan
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Day 62: Spies Sent to Canaan
As we read Numbers 12 and 13, Deuteronomy 11, and Psalm 94, Fr. Mike reflects on the conflict between Aaron, Miriam, and Moses and explains why Miriam appears to be the only one punished. He also mentions the lack of trust the people continue to have in God, as they discover that the land of Canaan is occupied by a seemingly stronger force.
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The Bible in a Year – Day 81 – Israel Crosses the Jordan
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https://bibleinayear.fireside.fm/day-81
As we begin our reading of the book Joshua, Fr. Mike draws our attention to God’s power as he parts the waters of the Jordan river, allowing the Israelites to walk across on dry land. We learn that following God often requires great courage and trust. Today’s readings are Joshua 1-4, and Psalm 123.
The Bible in a Year – Day 133 – Persevering in Trust
Fr. Mike focuses on trust today, specifically trusting God in difficult times. Like David, we need to learn to trust God in the midst of the battle, not wait until it’s over. Today’s readings are 2 Samuel 15, 1 Chronicles 19-20, and Psalm 3.
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