in the desert

today's readings: Numbers 30:1-31:54, Luke 4:1-30, Psalm 63:1-11, Proverbs 11:20-21

we've all been there. in our desert. there are times when the clock seems to have stopped, and it seems like we haven't eaten in 40 days.

and that's when the temptation comes, isn't it? thanks be to God, Jesus was able to withstand that temptation. He was without sin, and was able to defeat sin and death and give us eternal life because of it.

but most of us aren't that strong. we fall. we fail. we sin. and when we do, thankfully God is willing to forgive us every time. it's hard to believe it sometimes, but He really is. the worst thing in the world is when someone gives up and stops trying. when they think they've finally done something or so many things that are wrong that they can't possibly ever come back to God. that's despair, and it is so sad when people fall into it... and it happens all of the time.

thank goodness God tells us over and over in the Bible that He loves us and forgives us. it gives us hope to try again.

and again.

God, thank you for defeating sin and death for us, and please help me to have abundant life, like you intend for me.