Soaring Above the Storm

Bible Reading:   Isaiah 40:25-31

Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.   Isaiah 40:31

Terry just got a D on his report card. Carlos was cut from the team. Shannon was back-stabbed by a friend. Situations like these can be heartbreaking. And for some the pain goes even deeper—like Melinda, whose mom and dad are going through a divorce. Or Suzanne, whose best friend was killed last month in a car accident. Or Corey, who was just diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.

Have you ever noticed that no one escapes hard times? Some of those times are life-and-death situations. Others are just frustrations or setbacks. But without exception, they all cause agonizing pain. They make us feel like our world is caving in. And at times like these there is nothing we need more than an eye-popping look at who God is. Think about this wonderful description in Isaiah 40:

• God is all-powerful. He created all of the universe—from the intricate design of the tiniest cell to the massive grandeur of the vast heavens. Nothing is too big or too difficult for him. Nothing is too tiny for his attention.

• God is entirely loving. Since God created all the stars and calls each burning ball of gas by name, how do you think God feels about you, his child created in his image? Jesus answered that question: “Look at the birds,” he said. “They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are” (Matthew 6:26). God loves you more than you can even imagine.

• God gives strength to the weak. You might feel bogged down and beat up by difficult circumstances in your life. But you can put your trust in the Lord and not give up. He sees your needs and will give you strength to keep going—even to run, take flight, and soar high above the pressures of life.

Ponder what it means that God is bothall-powerful and all-loving. If he were mighty but didn’t love, we would spend our life fearing his anger and judgment. If he were loving but weak, he couldn’t help us through our trials. The God we serve is both strong and kind, and that’s why we can trust in him!

TALK: What stormy situation have you faced in your life lately? Has God promised to give you strength to go through it?

PRAY: We praise you, God, because you love us enough to help us through our difficulties. And you are powerful enough to do it.

ACT: Build your trust in God today by memorizing Isaiah 40:31. And share that encouraging word with a friend.

 

 

Guessing Game

Bible Reading: Isaiah 46:3-10

To whom will you compare me? Who is my equal?   Isaiah 46:5

IN THE MOOD for a quick guessing game? Let’s try it.

You already know that a pattern is a form or a model that’s imitated in making something else. For example, you may use a pattern to make a dress. You may use a cookie cutter to make cookies in a certain “pattern.” Right? Well, let’s play a guessing game about different kinds of patterns. Circle the answers you think are correct.

1. The pattern for the shape of an airplane is

a. the shape of an ocean vessel.

b. the human body.

c. the body of a bird.

2. The pattern for a duck hunter’s decoy is

a. Donald Duck.

b. Daffy Duck.

c. a real duck.

3. The pattern for everything that is “good” and “right” is

a. individual opinion.

b. human tradition.

c. the nature and character of God.

You probably don’t have to be told that the shape of an airplane is patterned mostly after the body of a bird, and that the pattern for a duck hunter’s decoy is the shape and coloring of a real duck. Similarly, the pattern for everything that is “good” and “right” is the nature and character of God.

In other words, we should not compare our behavior to what our friends do to figure out whether we’re doing right or wrong. We shouldn’t compare our actions to what our government says is OK. God is the only true pattern for what’s right and what’s wrong. He is the one we should compare our beliefs and behavior to because his goodness and righteousness show us what is good and right.

It’s simple. If a thing’s like God, it’s right. If it’s not like God, it’s wrong. As long as God is your pattern for right and wrong, you can’t go wrong. Right? Right.

REFLECT: Have you ever tried to figure out right from wrong by using some pattern besides God? Have you ever tried to measure your behavior by your feelings? by what “everyone else” is doing? by what your friends or teachers say? by something else? How do those “patterns” measure up when compared to God?

PRAY: “Dear God, please help me to remember that you are the only true pattern for what’s good and right. Help me to always compare what I think and say and do to you and to become more and more like you every day, as your Spirit helps me.”