WHO DO YOU TRUST TO TAKE CARE OF YOU?

SCRIPTURE:
But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; 
I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.  
(Psalm 52:8)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever given thought to what it means to be owned by God?
When we believe in His Son, Jesus Christ, 
we become adopted members of the family of God.
This means that we have a place in His house.

It also means that we will flourish with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
(Who is given to believers from the day they are saved).
Just as God takes care of the olive trees, 
He will take care of those who belong to Him.
The Psalmist realized this and equated himself to an olive tree in God’s house.

As members of His family, there are some expectations of us.
First of all we need to believe that God truly loves us.
Secondly, we should place our trust in Him as an expression of our love.
Thirdly, we need to have faith that He will take care of us at all times.
That includes a lot of things and could be different for each person.
Why? Because He knows what each person needs, and since He is a God of 
dispensation, He gives to each person what is needed specifically for them.

Lastly, since we are members of His family, then we should 
plan on attending His house frequently to praise and worship Him.
When we fail to do that, 
we are stunting the growth of our relationship with Him.

We are also failing to encourage other members of His family.
How can we do that, you might ask?
It is discouraging when God’s family meets together 
and there are empty spaces where other family members should be seated. 

When we read God’s Word and see how we should meet together, it is not 
a suggestion from God, but rather an expectation of those who belong to Him. 
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and 
good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of 
doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the 
Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Joseph was surrounded by sin and intrigue in Egypt.
He was tested by imprisonment, but through it all 
he trusted in God and sought to know and do His will.
He stands today as a wonderful example of the keeping 
and strengthening power of God in the heart of a man who believed in Him.

ACTION:
Have you developed the faith and trust of a man like Joseph?
Instead of becoming discouraged by his problems and environment,
he chose to increase His faith and trust in God.
How could He do that?

He could do it because he believed that when God is involved, no matter what 
man devised to make his life miserable, God could turn it into something good.
When his brothers were concerned about Joseph taking revenge on them 
for selling him when he was young, look how he responded to them.
But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish 
what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:19-20)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I am thankful that You take care of those who belong 
to You. Help me to show my love and thankfulness to You through my 
praise, worship, and obedience to You. Forgive me for neglecting Your 
commands and failing to nourish my relationship with You. I pray that 
you will guide me from this day forward so that I will be more thankful 
and love You more each day. Remind me that whenever I have dark days, 
I can reach out my hand and You will be there.”