And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad.
1 Samuel 11:9
Father, I am glad today. I have had some rough days of late, wrestling with all the problems coming my way, I am thankful that You have sent a glimmer of hope to me, reminding me that help is on the way.
As I read this verse I am reminded that Saul is the one who said it, a flawed and broken leader, who would be so consumed with himself and what he was trying to build that he misses what You are trying to do in him in the moment. He was not fully that help, his help only being temporary. Even his successor, David, who loved You and was declared a man after Your own heart, would not fully bring the help, flawed too by his own brokenness. It would not be until his son, Solomon, whose name means peace, that they would find rest from their enemies. And even that rest was temporary!
Yet, today, my heart rejoices because You sent the true Prince of Peace to be my sure help! In every way in which the previous help has failed, He has made up the difference. And His help is a lasting, eternal help! And the good news for my soul is that though I must endure helpers that will fail me and let me down, and though I will have to go through battles and fights, You shall never disappoint me! Yes, I will have to continue to have rough days, but You have promised not to leave me.
So today, I keep looking up. No longer discouraged and downcast, I look to You for the help that I need, not depending upon any person coming my way. They are messengers of encouragement, not the encouragement. It is You. Thank You for this sure reminder. I will keep looking up. Amen.