It’s easy to be consumed with coping. We do well to stop, acknowledge God’s blessing, and find a concrete way to thank him for what he’s done.

We’re learning how to give. After all, we’re caregivers. But today’s Bible story leads us to ponder if we’ve yet been called upon to give as much as Hannah did.

We may have as many questions as conclusions about the remarkable story in today’s text. Read Judges 7 and ponder what God did—and why.

It’s almost shocking that the ancient Israelites turned away from God. But then I look at myself, and I begin to understand.

Throughout Scripture we see the riveting examples of what God did only after those following him took just one step.

Not only did the angels proclaim peace at the time of his birth, but Jesus promised peace just before his death.

Just as Jesus couldn’t get his cross to its resting place without help, he needs us to bring rest to our loved ones, disoriented and diminished by their disease.

Weren’t these men reasonable? And didn’t they all agree? What was so wrong with believing the troubling report they brought from the land God wanted them to own?

If our first reaction to the Ten Commandments is a definite ho-hum, maybe we owe it to ourselves to stop and ponder them again.

“No one can do this as well as I can.” We actually believe this, but today’s Bible story reminds us it may not be true.

Like the ancient Israelites, we don’t want to be hungry. And just as they had trouble trusting God for sustenance, we sometimes wonder if we’ll have what it takes to get to tomorrow.

Moses was afraid to look at God, and sometimes we are unwilling to face the tasks God has laid at our feet. But we can take strength from the same presence God promised Moses at the burning bush.

In this moment, Joseph had all the power. And he used it for God. God has given us power, too, to cope this week in ways that please him.

Perhaps his trip to Egypt was the world’s first “unchosen journey.”

The person you’re caring for has changed so much that you may have forgotten what attracted you to them the first time.

Abram’s life turned out as he never imagined it, just as ours has. But we can’t imagine what he may do with our submission to what he’s given us today.

Today I’m celebrating new fruit from a relationship that began many years ago.

Satan points us to our problems, but God comes beside us with comfort and provision and strength for each new step.