As the people of Israel faced apparent disaster, the prophet Jahaziel declared, “Fear not, be not dismayed, for the battle is not yours but God’s, and the Lord will be with you.” The people moved forward in faith, giving thanks to God even before a victory, and found deliverance. The story

Even when it seems that our troubles are insurmountable and that God is absent, we are called to persist in faith, for God is at work and will provide.

These have been “stormy times” in American politics! Many people are unhappy with both major party presidential candidates. What are people of faith to do when the nation’s leaders are flawed? We receive helpful and sound guidance in the Biblical prophets.

If we feel overwhelmed by the world’s troubles and our own shortcomings, the answer is not despair but faith. As we look to God, we can find new direction and vision.

In the book of Genesis, God granted Jacob a new name. God’s name is then part of Jacob’s new name, “Isra-el”. For the rest of his life, he will be carrying that name with him. When we allow God into our lives, we too are challenged to remember what a great responsibility it is to live up

Life can take us through some pretty rough times. One of the most harrowing voyages in the Bible took place as Paul was on a ship destined for Rome. It is a story of how God is at work—often in spite of present appearances!—to bring the faithful through the storm.