This story is told of the pioneer days in our country. A man was making his way west when he came to the Missouri River. It was winter and the ice covered the river from bank to bank. But how could the man be sure it would hold his weight? He knew people often drowned in that river when the ice broke. Yet he had to cross. He walked out a little way, then gripped with fear he crawled on his hands and knees. He looked back and saw how far the bank was now behind him and knew he would drown if the ice broke and the frigid water swallowed him up. To spread his weight even more, he lay out flat on his belly and slowly drew himself sliding across the river a few inches at time. All of a sudden from behind him he heard whistling. He whipped his head around and there saw a big man, a farmer, walking across the ice leading a team of horses drawing a heavy wooden sleigh full of hay. He was smiling and whistling and tipped his hat. The timid man stood and brushed off the ice crystals and managed a sheepish smile. That old farmer had crossed the ice many times and knew it could be trusted. When you decide to trust God, you may do it kind of fearfully, but when you step out on that “ice” for the first time and see that it holds…we see that God makes good on his promise to us that he will be with us and protect us and lead us. But we need to remind ourselves of our history with God and to read our Bible and see how he was faithful to the people who were faithful to him. A verse that I hold close to me and use a lot in my life is Psalm 56:3. It says “ But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” You need to “cross over” those rivers by faith, but that faith is emboldened and strengthened each time you see him honor your trust. So what is it that you fear today? Tell God that you are willing to trust him…and then do it. He loves you and wants you to know that you can count on him anytime fear raises its head in your life. When you are afraid, of anything, put your trust in him. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Psalms 56:3-4 NLT But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. (4) I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ
Psalms 56:3-4 NLT But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. (4) I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
Remember I’m praying for you…
PJ