His Amazing Help

Hi, and thanks for joining us for this word of encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Today's reading is titled, His Amazing Help, and it was written by Patricia Rabin. The Sheriff marveled at the prayers, estimating hundreds of thousands or maybe millions of prayers were lifted to God for help as the east troublesome fire raged to the mountains of Colorado in the fall of 2020. Living up to its name, the blaze consumed 100,000 acres in 12 hours, roaring through tender dry forests, burning 300 homes to the ground, and threatening entire towns in its path. Then came the godsend, as one meteorologist called it. No, not rain. A timely snowfall.

It fell across the fire zone, arriving early for that time of year, dropping up to a foot or more of wet snow, slowing the fire and, in some places, stopping it. Such merciful help seemed too amazing to explain. Does God hear our prayers for snow and rain too? The Bible records His many answers, including after Elijah's hope for rain. A servant of great faith, Elijah understood God's sovereignty, including over the weather. As Psalm 147 says of God, He supplies the earth with rain. He spreads the snow like wool.

Who can withstand His icy blast? Elijah could hear the sound of a heavy rain before clouds even formed. Is our faith in His power that strong? God invites our trust, no matter His answer. We can look to Him for His amazing help.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Psalm 147, verses 8 through 17. He covers the sky with clouds. He supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. He provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call.

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior. The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love. Extol the Lord, Jerusalem.

Praise your God, Zion. He strengthens the bars of your gates and blesses your people within you. He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat. He sends His command to the earth. His word runs swiftly. He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes. He hurls down His hail like pebbles.

Who can withstand His icy blast? Let's pray. Amazing God, we bow at Your feet. You're humbled by Your merciful help whenever it comes. Thank You, God, for encouraging our faith with Your sovereign power throughout the earth. It's in Jesus' name we pray, amen. Thanks for listening. My name is Joyce Dinkins, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.