God doesn’t reject or ignore us when we’re in a tough place. In Isaiah, we read these words: “I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them” (Isaiah 41:17). The Lord is present—listening to our prayers, feeling what we feel, and loving us when no one else seems to care.
God also sees the needs that other people might not notice. He’s aware “when the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst” (Isaiah 41:17). Water, food, clothing, companionship—God knows that we require these essentials.
He often uses others to sustain us little by little during difficult times. Sometimes He changes difficult seasons into secure times. He can create abundance in desolate places—“[filling] the desert with pools of water” (Isaiah 41:18).
Faith in God is a firm foundation. God’s heart for struggling people is evident throughout Scripture. He wants us to experience justice, hope, and joy (Psalm 9:18, 82:3; Isaiah 30:19). And the Lord is honored when we reach out to help the poor and disadvantaged—those in a tough place (Proverbs 14:31).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 3:1-15
More:
Read Leviticus 19:9-10 to understand how God wanted the Israelites to help others in need. Read James 2:14-17 to see the connection between faith and caring for the poor.
Next:
How might a person’s spiritual and emotional life be affected by being in a tough place? What can you do to help meet the needs of a hurting person you know?
Roxanne Robbins on April 13, 2014 at 5:17 am
Good reminder to love, serve, and spend time with people experiencing loneliness and grief.
Gary Shultz on April 13, 2014 at 6:50 am
I have to conclude that God watches closely how we treat those in need. One of our greatest acts of service is to meet those needs with what we have been blessed with. Thanks for your example, Jennifer and Roxanne.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 13, 2014 at 9:54 pm
Hi Roxanne and Gary,
This past week I came across the passage where Jesus says, “For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”
The disciples question him about this, and He says, “‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!” (Matthew 25:31-46).
These verses remind me that caring for others has a vertical component too…we’re doing it for the benefit of people, and we’re doing it to honor God as well!
frannytheframer on April 13, 2014 at 10:57 pm
This is a beautiful reminder that a person does not have to “look” like they are homeless or struggling. In this day and age it can happen so quickly and…in my case I went from owning a business to the verge of losing all in a matter of a couple of weeks. I am still struggling but I shall never forget my “season” of despair. This has been the worst winter of my existence, however, I believe that The Good Lord felt that I needed a wake up call on a few fronts. This experience did not kill me, but it has made me stronger and everyday presents a new challenge. I will tell you I did learn who my true friends were and my hope is that I can get to a place where I can share my experiences in order to assist others that are suddenly swept up in financial ruin. It is not easy to have to reach out. When I had to go and seek public assistance, I burst out crying when they needed to take my picture. A very kind office administrator shared with me that she and many of her co-workers were just one paycheck away from being in my position and that I needed to hold my head up. I hope someday to go back there and surprise that woman with something spontaneous and meaningful.
So it is kind souls like that who have really enabled me to start over and put myself on the line. It IS a cold cruel world and you must remember to BE KIND, hold your tongue, and “remember when”…cause it could happen to you…you just never know!
jennifer benson schuldt on April 15, 2014 at 10:50 am
Thank you for sharing your story. It is good to hear that you are still walking with God and looking for what He can do and what He can show you during this difficult time. Sometimes God works through the kindness of other people to lift us up when we need encouragement. It’s a good reminder to SPEAK up when we see people who need to be LIFTED up! 🙂
What you said is so true–we don’t know what tomorrow holds. Let each one of us walk forward trusting that no matter what tomorrow holds, God holds tomorrow. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5