One pebble at a time

History repeats itself. Humans in the Bible were no different than you and me. They were human too. Just like our childhood heroes had trials and problems in their life, we also have trials and pain in our life. Quite often, we just like to focus on the good side of the stories from the Bible, but hardly ever look at their arduous journies. A sister from church shared this devotional thought last week, and I thought I would pass it along. Without further or due, I present to you some realizations from the Bible that our famous heroes had to go through.

Daniel and the Lion’s den

Daniel prayed. And I’m not saying he prayed like once a day. The Bible says Daniel prayed three times a day. Even after a decree stated people couldn’t worship anyone but the king, Daniel prayed, “…Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6: 10). An intriguing fact about Daniel is his gratitude toward God through his trials. He gave thanks to God even though he knew he would be going to the lion’s den for disobeying a decree. However, God’s faithfulness is everlasting and he never left Daniel’s side. 

David and the Giant

David trusted. David was the only Israelite who was brave enough to face Goliath, a giant. Forty days prior, nobody had the bravery to face the six cubits and a span giant. With only five pebbles, David trusted God through battle, literally. David told Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17: 45). David trusted God and God guided his hand.

Moses and the Sea

Moses led. Moses, the man who had trouble speaking in public, led the army of Israel out of Egpyt. Imagine being a stuttering man and God asking you to lead his people. Moses did that. Despite this, Moses faced problems. Pharaoh chased him and pretty soon the red sea faced the people of Israel. Moses needed to pass through, Pharah was behind him, and the Israelites were counting on him to lead them safely to the other side. Our unfailing God guided, “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided” (Exodus 14: 21). The Lord perfomed miracles for his people.

Joseph and the Well

Joseph dreamed. Joseph told his family his dreams, but his brothers dismissed him. Out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers put him in a well. He became stuck, literally. Not only did Joseph’s brothers betray him, but they also sold him as well. Regardless, Joseph prospered. The Bible says, “The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” (Genesis 39: 23). In the end, Joseph didn’t let a well stop him from putting his faith in God.

Closing remarks

Life is hard. It drains you physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Stormy days are inevitable, metaphorically and literally. However, nothing is permanent. Flowers come after the rain, stars come out in the dark, and rainbows come after the storm. You have to break in order to see the results. Pray like Daniel, trust like David, lead like Moses and dream like Joseph. No matter the lions, giants, seas, or wells of your life, God is always with you and he performs miracles. He performs indescribable miracles. The Bible says, “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 9:10). Never lose faith. He will shut the mouths of lions, he will give you the pebbles to fight your giants, he will part your seas and take you out of deep wells. Just have faith, because faith can move mountains.