Tag Archives: trouble

Bible Gleanings, devotions, Sermons

God Will Send His Ravens | Bible Gleanings – January 20-21, 2024

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A German boy and his mother were in a perilous predicament in the dead of winter. Their food and firewood were running out, leaving them famished and freezing. And suddenly, the woman’s son swiftly slung the door open, ushering in the suffocating cold air. “My son,” she gasped, “why are you opening the door on such a cold night?” The youngster, familiar with the biblical story of Elijah being miraculously fed by ravens, said with conviction, “Mother, it’s for the ravens.”

Do you remember that awe-inspiring account of God’s powerful provision? The Lord assured Elijah that He would meet his needs if he stepped out in faith to live in the wilderness east of the Jordan (1 Kings 17:2-4). The Lord promised that Elijah would drink from the brook and be fed by the ravens. And that’s precisely what occurred: “And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook” (1 Kings 17:6). The Lord of creation used winged birds to care for Elijah because he had taken refuge under His wings (Psalm 91:4). God rewarded Elijah’s firm faith with faithful provision. 

And the boy with childlike faith was likewise honored with miraculous provision. The mayor of the snowy village was walking around that frigid night to check on the residents, and he was shocked to see a little cottage with an open door. He went to investigate and the mother explained that they were waiting on God to send His ravens. The concerned mayor then remarked, “I will be your raven, both now and ever.” And he provided them with food and warmth.

Whether you are in dire straits like this German family or standing alone for the truth like Elijah, you can be certain that God will provide for you when you trust His word and remain faithful to it. When you devote yourself to the Lord—no matter how hard it may be—the ravens will always arrive on time. When you put the Lord first, He will meet your needs according to His riches in glory (Matt. 6:33; Phil. 4:19). The faithful are never forsaken. The holy are wholly cared for by the Lord.

And this is the trustworthy testimony of Scripture. As David exclaimed, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread” (Psalm 37:25). He also declared, “Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:9-10). “For the LORD God is a sun and shield,” proclaimed another psalmist, “the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). Will you open the door with arms of faith to let the ravens in?

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).

For more devotional entries like this, check out Brandon’s latest book, Bible Gleanings Volume II, which features 100 daily devotionals gleaned from God’s word:

Bible Gleanings, devotions

Fruit in the Ashes | Bible Gleanings – May 22-23, 2021

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Fruit in the Ashes

It turns out that grapes love volcanoes—specifically the ash that volcanoes emit. Vineyard farmers in Spain’s Canary Islands have discovered and capitalized on this strange situation. Eighty miles from the sandy beaches of Lanzarote lies a charcoal landscape formed by volcanic eruptions from the 1730’s. There are enough craters and jagged hills on the island to make you think you’re on the Moon. The only difference is that this Spanish terrain is engulfed in black ash, and there are undeniable signs of life—namely, hundreds of farmers picking over 2.6 million pounds of grapes annually.

How do grapes grow in such a sooty wasteland? According to Mónica R. Goya, a New York Times journalist who visited the island, the magic is in the dirt. The ash prevents erosion, retains moisture, and regulates ground temperature. It also has nourishing soil beneath it, and there are plenty of old cinders to make pits for the grapevines to protect them from violent winds. Incredibly, fruit can grow even in the ashes.

The Bible declares the same truth. The apostle James once wrote that the fruit of endurance grows best in the ashes of trials and tribulations:

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness [or endurance]. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).

Christian, do you feel like your life is in ashes? Perhaps the news of an unexpected diagnosis has left you feeling like your life is a dark and crumbling wasteland. Maybe the abrupt passing of a loved one has made you feel like a volcano of pain and grief erupted upon your once-joyful life. It may be that loneliness has buried your happiness and cheer, like ash concealing thousands of acres that used to be beautiful. You may feel like Job when he cried, “God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes” (Job 30:19).

Whatever volcanic trial has erupted in your life, the Lord promises that tribulation is the best soil for endurance. Sometimes He permits a volcano to rupture to plant you in the ideal place to trust Him and His plan for your life. God uses adversity to deepen your faith and strengthen your spiritual muscles. To be sure, troubles and trials aren’t pretty—they are painful. But God is cultivating the beautiful fruit of endurance in the midst of your afflictions, and that is reason to rejoice. As Paul stated, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance” (Romans 5:3).

Bible Gleanings is a widely-read weekend devotional column, written for the Murray Ledger & Times in Calloway County, Kentucky.

Brandon is the founder and main contributor to Brandon’s Desk, the blog with biblical resources from his ministry. He pastored the family of believers at Locust Grove Baptist Church in Murray, Kentucky for six years. He and his wife Dakota live there with their three dogs, Susie (Jack Russell), Aries (English Shepherd), and Dot (Bluetick Beagle).