Jan 23, 2026 – Mirror
Wintry weather is predicted for the next few days or so across a broad stretch of the eastern half of our country. Plans everywhere are being altered or even canceled, but plans do change even when weather isn’t a consideration. Flexibility, resourcefulness, and resilience (especially when they are based on faith) are not just helpful characteristics to have; they are pretty vital in minimizing stress to the body and mind.
Prevail #23 – Larson writes today about Moses’ giftedness and favor and how he “was so humbly confident in God that nobody could steal his thunder…. He reveled in a rich and personal relationship with God…. Clearly, the favor on Moses’ public life came as a result of his faithful private life. Something beautiful happens when we’re secure in God’s love and assured of our place in the kingdom story…. The Lord Jesus offers the precious gift of intimacy and assurance to each and every one of us.”
Power – Matthew 6:28, 30 NLT – “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow…. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Joyce reminds us that, “…God doesn’t want us to live in fear of losing what we have or being without what we need…. We should compliment Him by believing He is good and by expecting Him to meet our needs according to the promises in His Word.” Instead of wondering and worrying, we should go to the One who knows; and, ask for wisdom and discernment (and probably patience too).
Max encourages us writing, “A precise prayer gives Christ the opportunity to remove all doubt about his love and interest. Your problem becomes his pathway…. Believe that Jesus is king of each and every situation.” See Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart….”
Streams – Cowman starts with the question in Psalm 10:1 – “Why, O Lord, do you stand far?” She draws the answer from Daily Devotional Commentary, “’God is…an ever-present help in trouble’ (Ps. 46:1). But He allows trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, so we may be brought to the end of ourselves…. We may be sure that He who allows the suffering is with us throughout it…. Although His presence is veiled, once we begin to speak to Jesus as if He were literally present, an answering voice comes to show us He is in the shadow, keeping watch over His own.”
JC – It’s all right to be human. When your mind wanders while you are praying, don’t be surprised or upset. Simply return your attention to Me…. Whisper My Name in loving contentment, assured that I will never leave you or forsake you.” See Deuteronomy 31:6.
Utmost – Chambers bases his thoughts today on 2 Corinthians 3:18 as he writes, “The outstanding characteristic of a Christian is this unveiled frankness before God so that the life becomes a mirror for other lives…. Beware of anything which would sully that mirror in you…. The golden rule for your life and mine is this concentrated keeping of the life open towards God. Let everything else – work, clothes, food, everything on earth [like weather and worry] – go by the board…. Let other things come and go as they may…but never allow anything to obscure the life that is hid with Christ in God. Never be hurried out of the relationship of abiding in Him.”
So, be wise and prepared for bad weather (and the storms of life) [and, in case the power goes out – get groceries that don’t need refrigeration or heating, freeze extra ice packs to put in the fridge, gather blankets, bring in wood/check gas logs, cover outside faucets, bring pets inside, have a sleepover in one room with doors closed to preserve heat, check on loved ones…] but, for sure, trust Him before, during, and after.
