Pocket Thoughts - 10/17/25

God * generously provides spiritual water, milk, and bread to those who thirst and hunger for Him * gives life to those who listen and come to Him * will accomplish what He desires and achieve His purpose for His Word – it will not return to Him empty.

*****

God’s miraculous provision of manna for the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land allowed the people to travel without concern for food. God’s special instructions for gathering the manna on the sixth day of every week gave the people a Sabbath rest – a day when no work would be necessary to gather the manna from the ground. The Lord desired that His people would always remember His tender care of them, so He instructed Moses to take an omer (about three pounds) of manna to preserve for the generations to come. Moses had Aaron place the manna in a jar to remind the people of God’s faithful provision. The human heart was created for worship. Having symbols that turn our hearts toward the Lord can serve as a good reminder of His work in us and in our world. The danger comes when we wrongly worship the symbol rather than the Lord. There’s nothing powerful in an object or a symbol. The power we need and crave comes from God, Who deserves our wholehearted worship. – TV

*****

The book of Ezra was written 48 years after King Nebuchadnezzar had overthrown Jerusalem and destroyed God’s Temple. Immediately, we see that God is going to use Cyrus, king of Persia, to bring a major change for the Jews living in Babylon. Persia overthrows Babylon after the death of King Nebuchadnezzar, placing Cyrus over the newly conquered nation. God “moved the heart of Cyrus” to be favorably disposed to the Jews. His policies were merciful toward conquered nations, with the motive being to gain the loyalty of the conquered people. He also desired the favor of the gods from all of the different cultures in the defeated nations. As part of that strategy, Cyrus was unwittingly used by God to return His people to their homeland to begin rebuilding His Temple. Cyrus gave permission for all Jews living in Babylon to go back to Jerusalem. In Cyrus’s mind, this all just made good political sense. What he couldn’t see was how God had orchestrated his coming to power for the good of God’s people. God wanted His exiled family to resettle in Jerusalem and to once again dwell among them in a newly constructed Temple. This was an unexpected and welcomed new beginning for the exiles. Hope sprung to life when God intervened! No matter what your situation or how hopeless your circumstances, know that God’s large-scale plans are always falling together for the good of His people. World leaders, forces of nature, everyday circumstances – ultimately, all are subject to Him. Nothing happens that He hasn’t ordained or allowed – all for our good and His glory. Your strand of thread is a part of the perfect weaving of God’s sovereign design. Don’t let your hope fade. Know that God uses everyone and everything to accomplish His perfect will. You are a part of His plan. – TV

*****

What is your greatest desire? David’s greatest desire was to live in the presence of the Lord. Many who claim to be believers prioritize and pursue a host of desires above their love for God. When trouble comes their way, they scramble to find His shelter and help. Because David practiced the habit of abiding in the Lord, there was no frantic search for God when difficulties arose. David was already resting under God’s wisdom and guidance. Why wait until trouble comes knocking to seek the Lord? Dwell in His presence every moment of every day, and you’ll be prepared for whatever He allows into your life. – TV

*****

God, I marvel at every detail, every thread, every corner where You’re found. There’s no space where You’re absent, no secret not known to You, no burden not felt by Your heart of compassion. The enemy would love nothing more than to convince me that You don’t know, You’re not here, You don’t care. But, Lord God, You know all things, You’re always with me, and You bow low to minister to me in every dark valley. There’s no place untouched by the hand of the God Who created it all, and there’s nothing so big, so terrible, so heavy that You, Lord, can’t overcome. I trust You, Lord. Help my trust to grow. I ask in the beautiful Name of Jesus, amen.

*****

“‘The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.’ (Proverbs 21:31) Get the horse ready for the day of battle, by all means, but don’t trust in the horse – trust in God. Or, Psalm 20:7. I’ll give you this one like my son used to. I have four sons and a daughter. My son Abraham was four once upon a time, and he looked like he was going to be my preacher. He would stand on a platform when he was four, and he would say, ‘Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.’ (Psalm 20:7) And he would leap off the platform. So, Abraham: Get your horses ready, and get your chariots ready, but son, don’t trust in the horses, and don’t trust in the chariots – trust in God.” – John Piper

*****

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6