Show Notes
Read: Psalm 121; Isaiah 41:10
“Wow, Dad! Did you see those fish?” Maya’s eyes sparkled as she lifted her face out of the water and adjusted her snorkeling mask.
“I sure did!” Dad said. “Those little blue ones look like some they have in aquariums at the pet store.”
“And I almost touched one of those black-and-yellow-striped ones!” Maya was bubbling with excitement.
Dad looked at the setting sun. “Well, it’s getting late. We’d better start swimming back to shore. Are you ready?”
“So soon? Well, okay. Bet I can beat you back!” They started toward shore, but it was farther away than Maya had realized. “Dad, can we rest a minute?” she called out after a while.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Dad said as he swam up beside her. “If we do, this current may take us too far off shore. Here—” Dad stretched out his hand. “I’ll pull you along.” Soon they reached shore, tired but safe.
When they got home, Maya told her mother about their afternoon. “It’s a good thing Dad was there to tow me in to shore,” she said. “I was really tired!”
Mom smiled. “You know, I needed a little towing myself this afternoon.”
Maya looked at her in surprise. “You did?”
Mom nodded. “I was preparing the lesson I have to teach at church this week, and I felt like quitting. God used a phone call from a friend and some verses I read in the Bible to encourage me. It’s like I was towed back to a better attitude.”
“Sometimes Christians can get a little weary of doing things we know are right,” said Dad. “There are times when we need encouragement and help to move us along.”
“I know where I’d go for encouragement and help,” said Maya. “You and Mom!”
Dad chuckled. “Good. We’ll help as much as we can. God often uses other Christians to help us when we struggle against the current of temptation or difficult circumstances. But there’s an even better source of help we can run to—Jesus Himself. He saved us, and we need to learn to depend on Him in every circumstance. He’s always there to encourage us and pull us along.”
–Richard S. Maffeo
How about you? Do you sometimes get discouraged in living the Christian life? Do you struggle with temptation or get made fun of for doing what’s right? When you need help and encouragement, turn to Jesus. He may use a Bible verse or another Christian to encourage you. Whenever you’re feeling down, trust Him to be with you and give you the help you need.
Today’s key verse: I [God] am with you…I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)
Today’s key thought: Look to Jesus for help