You Can't Take It With You - Psalm 49:16-17

Jesus, Sun of Righteousness - Matthew 27:45

Today, Bill and I stood in darkness for about two minutes.
All was still. No vehicles were heard. Tree frogs and insects could be heard as the dusk to dawn light came on. As we stood in total darkness at 1:15 P.M., we wondered if this is what it was like the day Jesus was crucified.

Matthew wrote that the land was in darkness from noon until three.
It wasn't an eclipse that day because Jesus was crucified during the full moon. However, other writers than the biblical ones also recorded that a supernatural darkness occurred on the day Jesus was crucified.

The only cause of this was the interposing power of God - furnishing testimony to the dignity of the sufferer, and causing the elements to sympathize with the pains of his dying Son. 

It was also especially proper to furnish this testimony when the "Sun of righteousness"was withdrawing his beams for a time, and the Redeemer of men was expiring.

A thick darkness, shutting out the light of day, and clothing every object with the gloom of midnight, was the appropriate drapery with which the world should be clad when the Son of God expired. 

This darkness was noticed by one at least of the pagan writers. Phlegon, a Roman astronomer, speaking of the 14th year of the reign of Tiberius, which is supposed to be that in which our Saviour died, says "that the greatest eclipse of the sun that was ever known happened then, for the day was so turned into night that the stars appeared. 

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Rescued and Redeemed - Psalm 105:28

Psalm 105 was speaking of the plague that God sent so the Egyptian pharaoh would release the Israelites from bondage. 

Matthew Henry wrote this about Psalm 105:24-45:

As the believer commonly thrives best in his soul when under the cross; so the church also flourishes most in true holiness, and increases in number, while under persecution. 

• Yet instruments shall be raised up for their deliverance, and plagues may be expected by persecutors. 
• And see the special care God took of his people in the wilderness. 

All the benefits bestowed on Israel as a nation, were shadows of spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in Christ Jesus. 

• Having redeemed us with his blood, restored our souls to holiness, and set us at liberty from Satan's bondage, he guides and guards us all the way. 
• He satisfies our souls with the bread of heaven, and the water of life from the Rock of salvation, and will bring us safely to heaven. 
• He redeems his servants from all iniquity, and purifies them unto himself, to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Adapted from Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary

Nothing to Prove

Matt. 4:3-4 and Deut. 8:3 The tempter came to him and said," If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.' " Satan wanted Jesus to prove he was the Son of God by doing a miracle. Jesus wasn't about to do anything for Satan! Instead he answered the request with scripture from Deuteronomy 8:3. Remember, you do not have to show people you belong to the God. You just need to live by every word that comes from the mouth of God. For me, every word from the mouth of God means my Bible. I need to live a bible-based life.

Give and Receive Comfort - 2 Corinthians 3-4

Photo by Sallee Bonham April 2017

As a self-centered addict,
I had to learn to reach out to others and work the steps of recovery with them in order to maintain my own sobriety.
One of the helpful recovery sayings that stresses the need to focus on others is:

"You have to give it away to keep it."

In my walk with Jesus I can also apply this spiritual axiom to comfort.
Here is an example of how I can give away the comfort that I received from God. As a new widow, I was given comfort from the Lord in the form of people, bible lessons, and personal revelations from studying my Bible.

Today, I can use those experiences and give comfort to another new widow because I truly know what it is like to lose your spouse. It doesn't matter how terrible my trouble was or is, I can take the comfort that I am given and give it to others who need the same comfort that I have received.

Power and Strength is Yours - Psalm 68:35

Troubles? God Will Help You

No matter what trials or struggles you are going through,God will give you the power and strength you need because of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. Through Jesus, you will be given the same power and strength that Jesus received from God. 

However, there are three things that you should do as one of his people. 

1. Give God the glory for all that you do - praise him and tell others what he has done for you. 
2. Humbly thank Him for enabling you to do all things - thank Him for giving you the power and strength that you need to make it through your trouble, trial, or struggle. 
3. Accept the work of God's hands in you - be willing to be shaped and molded according to God's plan. 

To sum this up, give praise with thanks and be willing to accept the change that God's hands will bring as you face each challenge with his power and strength. 

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