A Word of Encouragement

March 13, 2026

Smoke in the Sunset - Lolo Fire, MT - Aug 2017

Grace, Hope & Peace, Friend;

After David fled from Saul, he hid in the cave of Adullam. (1 Samuel 22:1) While there, he wrote,

Give heed to my cry, for I am brought very low; Deliver me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me.
	Psalm 142:6

Don't we all, at times, feel helpless? Caught in a situation beyond our control? Where do we turn for relief?

Jesus said, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

In Hebrews we read,

Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard.
	Hebrews 4:1-3

The reference is to the Children of Israel who listened to the ten spies when they brought back a fear filled report of what lay ahead. The people did not trust God to fulfill His promises and as a result, wandered in the desert for forty years - until everyone over 20 died - and never got to enjoy the promised land. (Numbers 13)

What is our response? When situations arise that are beyond our control, do we struggle against the odds? Or do we rest secure in His promises?

David ends his psalm with:

Free me from my prison. Then I will praise your name. Then the good people will surround me because you have taken care of me.
	Psalm 142:7 (ICB)

God is in control, the prison is our own imagination.

Adon HaShabbos - Lord of the Sabbath - give me the faith to rest in Your promises.

Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
	Hebrews 4:16

Rest secure in His promises,