MAY 31, Deuteronomy 8:2

When Bee Leng and Tze Seng came home from school, they found their mother sitting in the middle of the living room floor, surrounded by small piles of pictures. “You kids want to help organize these?” she asked. They eagerly agreed, and soon Tze Seng and Bee Leng were giggling about the pictures—some taken years ago. “Look at Mom in this one!” squealed Bee Leng. “She has a ponytail!” Tze Seng laughed. “Here’s Fiona when she was a tiny kitten,” he said. When Dad came home, he joined the twins on the floor. Soon all three were chuckling over a group of baby pictures.

Before opening the Bible for family devotions later that evening, Dad took two snapshots from his pocket. He showed them a picture of an old car. Mom laughed. “Oh, dear! Remember all the trouble we had with that old Mazda?” Dad smiled but looked thoughtful. “Yes. When I saw this picture, I remembered the time the transmission had to be replaced and we didn’t have the money. Remember how God provided the funds for it by allowing me to find that painting job?” Mom nodded.

Then Dad showed the second picture—a snapshot of Bee Leng in her bathrobe, looking very pale. “That was taken after my operation!” Bee Leng exclaimed, and the family talked about how her appendix had ruptured and the doctors had said she might die. “Wasn’t God good to us?” Dad asked. “He healed Bee Leng.”

Tze Seng was puzzled. “Dad, what do those two pictures have to do with having family devotions?” he asked thoughtfully. “Just this, Son,” Dad replied. “We have all been a little anxious lately, wondering if changes being made at my office will result in the loss of my job.”

“Oh yeah,” Tze Seng said quietly. “But I think God wants us to always remember what He has done for us in the past. Just like He was faithful then, He will continue to lead and help us in the future—no matter what changes take place.”

Thought: Are you worried about the future? Perhaps your dad needs a job. If so, trust God for He will provide.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, sometimes difficulties will come my way. Especially in those times, help me to trust in You. Even if there has been an illness or some other hardship in my family, remind me of what You have done for me in the past, for You are always faithful. This I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.