NOVEMBER 22, Deuteronomy 31:8

Ryan helped his dad to straighten the canvas of the tent that lay on the ground. “I love to camp,” said Ryan. “Sleeping in a tent is so cool!”

Dad smiled. “I think so, too,” he agreed. “Okay, let’s get this one set up. Help me get the pegs through these tent loops. We’ll pound the pegs in about halfway at first and then secure them when they’re all in place.” Dad took one of the pegs and stuck it into a loop on the side of the tent. Ryan pounded it with the hammer. As Dad continued to put each of the pegs in place, Ryan pounded them down. Then, they put the poles together and raised the tent. “I can’t wait to go inside and get my sleeping bag rolled out!” exclaimed Ryan. “Well, don’t try going in yet,” said Dad. “It could collapse on you. We need to first pound the pegs deep into the ground, remember?” Ryan nodded, and they got to work. When the tent was finally secured, they put their sleeping bags inside.

“Cool!” said Ryan. “Now can we go fishing?” “You bet,” agreed Dad. Grabbing their fishing poles, they headed for the river. The fish were biting, so they had fried fish for supper! After roasting marshmallows and enjoying their campfire, Ryan and Dad settled down for the night.

Around midnight, Ryan woke to the sound of distant thunder. He saw that Dad was awake, too. “Our tent won’t blow down, will it?” asked Ryan. “The pegs will hold it in place, right?”

“Oh, I think so,” said Dad. “The wind is pretty gusty, but I don’t think it will be strong enough tonight to blow the tent away.” He was right. The wind soon died away, the storm had passed. Ryan and Dad went back to sleep. “I’m glad we pounded those tent pegs in good and tight,” said Ryan as they enjoyed a campfire breakfast the next morning. “Me, too,” agreed Dad. “They kept our tent right in place during the storm.” He grinned at Ryan. “Do you know who holds us steady through the storms of life?”

“Jesus does,” said Ryan promptly. “If the wind got stronger, the tent pegs might let go of the ground, but nothing could ever make Jesus let go of us, could it?” “No way,” said Dad. “No matter how many difficult things come into our lives, we can always count on Jesus to hold us steady and help us through them.”

Thought: Has your life been shaken up by some unhappy circumstance?

Prayer: Thank you, Heavenly Father, that You love me and will always stay with me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.