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2 Corinthians 4:8-9, "We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."
Recently, Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana with winds of up to 150 mph. No hurricane since 1856 has hit Louisiana with the same strength. In the hardest-hit parishes, no home or business was left untouched by the powerful gusts that snapped electric poles and uprooted massive trees. After the storm, however, people were amazed to find a few small things right where the homeowners left them!
The plastic trashcan in its place outside a building; crepe myrtle trees still standing; a home by the coast had significant damage, but a seashell placed on a post remained untouched and unharmed. These objects weren't immune to the storm's power, which certainly pushed at them from every angle, yet they were not destroyed.
What storm are you facing today? What forces are pressing against you? You are not alone! Though you may be hard-pressed, you will not be crushed. You may be perplexed by what's ahead, but you're not without hope! Persecution may come, but God will not abandon you.
Like a seashell unmoved by a hurricane, you can remain steady in every season because God goes before you and will be with you through it all.
Think back to a difficult time in your life. How did God guide you through it? Let that be a reminder of His faithfulness to you today!
Father, I put my hope and trust in You. I acknowledge that You're never overwhelmed, that nothing's too hard for You. Continue to grow my faith. And I pray for my friends struggling with significant trials. Open the door for me to show them Your love today. Amen.