FATHER IS WITH US ALWAYS

(I missed writing last week due to a family funeral. Today's Message comes from one of my daily devotionals, Day By Day With Jesus.)         I read the newspaper almost every day and look forward to reading the comics. Perhaps you also get a daily paper, starting first with your favorite section. It’s a daily ritual for us to read the headline articles, the comics and then do the puzzles. We tried awhile going without a print copy, but we always come back to having a newspaper delivered.         In a recent “Family Circus” comic strip by Bil Keane, the father is reminding his growing little boy that he needs to know things will change. “You never know for sure what’s going to happen, Jeffy,” he tells him. Little Jeffy responds, “That’s okay, Dad, as long as YOU do.” Artist Bil Keane during his lifetime was a Christian and his artwork showed it.         Each day we are alive, we know there will be some kind of insecurity, perhaps a painful injury, a bump on the road of life, or even a major incident. We never know for sure what’s going to happen, but that’s okay because our Heavenly Father does.         God reminds us of this fact in His Word. Examples: “The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.” (2 Peter 2:9) Or, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.” (Psalm 50:15) On my computer monitor I have these words, “Be strong and courageous. do not be frightened, or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)         We’re in the season of Lent now, recalling the troubles Jesus had with the authorities and other enemies. This year, this week, maybe even this day, something will happen to remind you of the unexpected. But whatever happens, it will be okay, because God is with us. Little Jeffy’s words can be our prayer: “That’s okay, Father God, as long as YOU do.” Rev. Bob Tasler, www.bobtasler.com