The word for this week is: Anchor.
The thought for this week is: God’s Word is an immovable anchor.
Having made the decision to have an intimate relationship with God and obey his commands, you will no doubt have times of uncertainty and difficulty in your life. Your walk with God becomes a journey of faith and there will be situations when your trust in him will be tested. As you are tossed about on the stormy seas of life and get carried away by the winds of adversity, what will you cling to?
Read Numbers 22:1-12. Why were King Balak and the Moabites afraid of the Israelites? Who was Balaam and what did the Moabites want from him? We learn that the Moabites feared Israel because they had already defeated the Amorites who were stronger so they had turned to Balaam to come and curse the Israelites. Note in verse 12 how Balaam responds. Now read Numbers 22:22-35. When Balaam disobeyed God, how did God get his attention? Why do you suppose God used such surprising methods? Finally, read Numbers 23: 16-23. Why do you think Balaam made the statement he made in verse 19?
We learn that God shielded Israel from harm even when the people did not know that they needed protection. He caused other nations to be afraid and even went to great lengths to keep them from being cursed. God was so powerful and convincing that even the pagan prophet Balaam had to say that “I have received a command to bless; He blessed, and I cannot reverse it” (23:20).
God’s word is absolute and true. We may not understand how God is going to bring about his promises but we do know that he is faithful in keeping every promise that he has ever made. What storms are you facing today? Are you disheartened or discouraged? He will never change his mind about the promises the he has made to you. Read God’s word daily and meditate upon it that you might be reminded of his love and comfort. That way, when trouble strikes like a tidal wave, God’s Word can be an anchor of strength, guidance and comfort. Pray through the following Scripture and strive to memorize Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire.”
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, praise be to your Holy Name. We thank you for the power of your word because you are true. Your word is our anchor in times of difficulty and the storms of life. Transform our lives that we might affect the world for your purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
By Rory Barneche