The Umbrella
There is an old story about a farming town in a long drought. The church called a prayer meeting to ask God for rain, and the whole town showed up. Only one little girl walked in carrying an umbrella. Everyone else came to pray for rain. She was the only one who came ready for it.
I think about that story a lot these days. We pray, and we should. But faith that expects God to move also gets ready to move with Him.
The Scripture
“But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.” Nehemiah 4:9 (NIV)
How I Understand This Scripture
Nehemiah and his people were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem while enemies threatened them. They did not choose between prayer and preparation. They did both. They prayed to God, and they posted a guard. To me, that is what mature faith looks like. Trust God completely, and do the work He puts in front of you.
My Reflection
The political temperature in our country is high right now. People are angry, afraid and divided. I recently watched Glenn Beck encourage people to prepare calmly for hard times, and his point stuck with me. Preparation is the opposite of panic.
Preparing does not mean fear. It means a few simple steps. Keep some water and extra food you already eat. Have your medicine, a flashlight, some cash and important phone numbers written down. Know your neighbors, especially the elderly and the ones living alone.
But preparation is only half of it. The other half is prayer. Pray for our nation. Pray for peace. Pray for our leaders, even the ones we disagree with. Pray that hearts would cool and truth would win. I am hoping and praying for the best outcome, and I believe God still hears His people.
So get ready like the girl with the umbrella, and pray like Nehemiah. Calm is what faith looks like from the outside.
A Prayer
Lord, our nation is restless and many hearts are anxious. Give us wisdom to prepare without fear and faith to trust You with what we cannot control. Bring peace to our land and calm to angry hearts. Guide our leaders and protect our families. Help us love our neighbors well, whatever comes. We put our hope in You, not in any man. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Join Me
If this encouraged you, visit http://www.christaff.net and join me there for more posts and books on standing strong in faith.
Please share this post with as many people as you can. Someone you love is anxious right now and needs this reminder to prepare with faith and pray with hope. Share it today.
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