DATE POSTED
Wednesday, April 30, 2025, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa at Hunter Road, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Read Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 in your Bible, or click it to read it online in The Voice (VOICE).

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
Earlier in my life, I lived in Highlands County, Florida. I remember asking a local resident why there was so much digging and dredging going on in and around the Kissimmee River that ran through that county. I was told that government authorities had decided that they needed to return the river back to its original twists and turns, as their earlier attempts to correct what God had designed, failed miserably! Now, mentioning this example is not intended to blast government officials who spent millions of dollars to try and make straight something God had deliberately made crooked, but it seems to fit today’s Scripture perfectly. Furthermore, government officials are made up of mankind, the same ones that practice this same error often throughout life. For just one quick example, think of the hairdresser who notices every week how those with curly hair, want it straight, and the same case in reverse all too often! We have heard it many times, that our God never makes ‘junk’, for He has our very best interest at heart for our entire lifetime. Often, it’s not until we intervene and try to correct His way, that we see failures and disappointments. Alternatively, Satan tempts us to compare ourselves to a friend and covet what they have, or a desire to change something about our appearance to hopefully achieve their looks/apparent beauty/apparent success. Think for a moment – we never answer all of our children’s questions, especially their many ‘why questions. all often for very good reasons! So, shouldn’t we expect there to be good reasons why God made us, and provided for us. certain circumstance in life that only He will understand the reasons why? Fortunately verse 14 goes on to further attract our thoughts and meditation, for it draws us to be reminded of the sovereignty of our awesome God. Most of us tend to live it up when times are good and the money is coming in like we want. We tend to recognize the goodness of God in providing abundantly for our good. But as soon as those funds dry up, or dwindle, we kind of question where did God go? In trying to develop a consistent spiritual viewpoint on life, it is important that we remind ourselves that ‘God is Good ALL the time‘, and not just when life is at its very best for us. God didn’t go anywhere when we became disappointed that we didn’t have the funds to buy the type car our neighbor gloats over every day. He wants us to be mindful of the car/house/spouse/child/life circumstances that we have. He intended them for our good, and knowing that He does all things for our good, we must be in a continual thankful attitude for ALL things. Let’s learn to praise Him in the sunshine and the rain, on payday and every day in between; in sickness and in good health; when life seems so, so challenging, and when circumstances seem to overwhelm us. Let’s remember, God is in control of all things at all times, so if we have committed our lives to Him and depend on Him daily, let’s praise Him daily in every circumstance of life. If things are rough today, there’s no need to worry, God knows what He’s doing and things will look brighter for us tomorrow, or the next day. A day with God, is always better than a day without Him, so let’s praise Him in light of, and in spite of, our earthly circumstances.

PRAYER
Thank You Jesus for watching out for us and guiding us through every circumstance of life. You designed us and You know every little itsy bitsy detail about every good thing we enjoy, and every challenge we face. Thank You for Your Word that we have proven true so many times in our life. Please Lord, prompt us to stay in Your Word every day for spiritual nourishment, encouragement, direction and strength. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In the good times, please encourage us to praise You for blessing us beyond anything we could imagine. In the challenging times, please remind us of where our strength and encouragement comes from. We KNOW precious Lord, that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, that You can’t handle or help us through. Please help us in our weak minds to always call on You. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. One of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals or subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you make every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!