read to feed the soul

Written by FBJ Women for Women

March 4, 2021

by: Amanda Slack

Trust

We turned the calendar to 2021 with high hopes that a new year would bring us some peace, some calm, and some normalcy. Then 2021 arrived and brought with it national unrest, new strains of COVID, and now a winter storm for the ages. Where is this “easy” year we had been counting on?
As believers in Jesus we can have a peace that surpasses all understanding, no matter the circumstances. Does that mean all will go smoothly? No. But it does mean that we can trust God to see us through days that have more clouds than sunshine.

In the Bible we are given numerous examples of women who trusted God when they faced difficult days. Here is a look at a few of them.

When Jochebed heard of Pharaoh’s command that every male Hebrew child was to be killed, can you imagine the fear in her heart? But she placed her trust in God and placed her precious son in a basket to be sent down the river. God had an amazing plan for that baby who went on to lead His children out of Egypt. (Genesis 2)

When Ruth found herself a widow who had lost everything, she never lost sight of what it looks like to persevere. She stayed by the side of her mother-in-law, a woman who felt such bitterness that she asked her name be changed to the Hebrew word for bitter. In order to have food to eat, Ruth gleaned fields for scraps of grain that had been left behind. Life could not have been easy for Ruth. But she was loyal to her family and to her God, and this led to her being in the lineage of Jesus. (Book of Ruth)

When Elizabeth saw her hair begin to gray and her skin begin to wrinkle, she was keenly aware of the fact that she was not getting any younger. Her days of childbearing were long behind her. However, Elizabeth led a life of dedication to God that was called “righteous and blameless”. And in God’s perfect timing she became the mother of John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. (Luke 1)

So as we continue through days where we have a sense of never knowing what’s coming next may we find inspiration in these women who loved God and never lost sight of His plans for their lives.

Dear Father, help us rest in the fact that you love us, see us, and you have us in the palm of your hand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.