Daily Devotionals by Ardith Keef

Just think of all the moments that God's saints have endured that must have been preceeded by hours of dread.

Many have known their loved ones were going to be beaten, tortured, beheaded, or worse.

We have stories of saints who were on trial for months - even years.

Some have faced false accusers and all of His choicest servants have been confronted by misunderstanding and all kinds of unfairness.

Although we are caught by surprise in many things, some of the events listed above have been made very public, and for a long time.

I do not think for a minute that there has ever been an executed child of God who went to the stake or guillotine as though it were not happening. Although we have divine provision and protection, we were never intended to be untouched by these things - just unscathed. That is, no mark on the personality.

We go forward, trusting. In all situations and at all times.

Just because the hands shake and the mouth is dry doesn't mean the believer is not relying on God - it just means that this earthen vessel reflects what is going on.

The critical thing is that our mouths and our minds agree with God.

For most of us the little things like unpleasant phone calls, planned confrontations and like events bring a sense of dread and impending storms.

But the Lord said He would take care of the moment when the moment comes.

He always has, and He always will.