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On July 11, 2013, I sent an email out to some friends and family, with a short note which said:

“This was what I read during my Quiet Time today and I feel I should share. You can find it, and everyday devotionals, at www.odb.org  – God bless you all – Ben Malm.”

The content was a devotional from Our Daily Bread entitled, “The Winding Road”, written by Marvin Williams, and based on Psalm 121. The key verse was ,

“He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:3)

This is what Marvin Williams wrote:

“In his book ‘A Sweet and Bitter Providence’, John Piper offers these thoughts about God’s providence and guidance: ‘Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. . . . God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.”

The Jews journeying to Jerusalem for the annual feasts (Deut. 16:16) had the assurance of knowing that the Lord was plotting their course and managing the winding and troubled roads for them. They expressed this assurance in Psalm 121, a pilgrim song. The question, ‘From whence comes my help?’ did not express doubt but affirmation in the Lord who rules supreme (vv.1-2). Unlike a guard who sometimes slumbered, or the god Baal who needed to be rustled out of his stupor (1 Kings 18:27), the Lord was fully alert and secured the journey of His people with providential care (vv.3-4). The Lord, who rescued Israel, would continue to help, preserve, and walk with His people.

Life is a winding road with unknown perils and troubles, but we can be certain of God’s providence, security, and care.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, sometimes life seems to be full of
perilous and winding roads. Thank You for giving
us the assurance that You have our course plotted
and are watching over our every step.

Troubles are unknown; God’s providence is certain.”

I got a couple of responses, but the one that touched me most was the one from my friend Sophia. It reads:

Hi Mr. Malm,

God bless you for the mail. Haven’t checked my mail in a while, am a bit down this morning and was reading scriptures to get encouragement. I decided to check my mail and read what you sent. I do not take it for granted as a coincidence, it was just what I needed, very re-assuring and what I was pondering over was again emphasized in the poem.

My regards to Wendy and the boys and the counseling team. Have a restful weekend.

Sophia

When I read the mail, I was very humbled, and at the same time excited, that God could use me to encourage someone.

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:9-19

“For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:9-19)  

Over the years, I have sent out exhortations like what I sent out on July 11, 2013, and received very touching responses. These motivate me to write, and also share, knowing they will encourage someone, answer someone’s questions, brighten someone’s day, or bring someone to Christ; through God’s word, and to the glory of God only.

Among other things, Paul told the church in Thessaloniki, in this concluding part of his first letter to them:

“Therefore, comfort each other and edify one another…warn those who are unruly(wayward), comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (vv 11, 14)

The world is becoming impenitently materialistic and self-centered, leaving a lot of people disenchanted, discouraged and losing hope. This makes it very important that we keep encouraging one another. Call someone, send a text or a note to someone, pray for them. Let them know you’ve thought about them, and prayed for them. It makes a lot of difference. Let us be one another’s keeper.

You need it, and I need it too.

MEMORY VERSE

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another…comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (1Thessalonians 5:11, 14)

QUESTIONS

1. Have you thought of some friends and family lately?  

2. Why not pray for them, and send them an encouraging word? Even telling them, “I just prayed for you,” is enough.

PRAYER TIP

Almighty Father, I pray for all my friends, my brothers and sisters in You, that you will comfort and encourage them today. Let them know it is well, and that You, Father, are with them. Please strengthen their faith, give them hope, and keep  them in your love. Amen.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

URGENT CALL

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Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance.

We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page. God bless you.

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