Corona Devo 2043

I had a daughter-of-God visit me the other day.  She didn't have wings or a visible halo and I knew her name because we have been related for twenty-one years.  She's always gone the extra mile and been overly kind, but earlier this week, she was a daughter-of-God that encouraged and walked through the fire with me.    

Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”  

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”  

(25) He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”  ~Daniel 3:24-25 

This time, (for me), it was not a son of the gods, but a daughter of the One True God: my sister-in-law that was there for me, and who imparted God's peace and comfort and strength to me.  

I had a dental procedure being done that included some surgery.  While many people fear dentists, ever since 5th grade when I knocked my two front teeth out over the handle bars of my bike: I love dentists.  They have always helped me, and they still do.  But as I lay with numbed mouth in the dentist's chair, I could smell (my) blood, and hear big things happening.  

My sister-in-law is a hygienist (the best!) and she was there to observe the process, however in the early stages I felt her slip her hand into mine and give me a squeeze.  I believe a couple of hours passed during my dental procedures, and she never let go. 

I was never scared, and I knew that the processes were for my good and continued dental health, but it was a lot to go through.  And my sister-in-law knew that.  God also knew that.    

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  ~Deuteronomy 31:8

I realized in that dentist chair that sometimes when God says that he will never leave us...He (also) means that He will send His people to us as His representatives when we need Him.  God can (and does!) show up for us through His people.  

God Himself may not sit down next to us and grasp our hand (or He might!), but God does put people in our lives and paths as proof of His presence with us.   It is still God never leaving us nor forsaking us, and He can (also) do that through His people.  

He just did that for me through my beautiful sister-in-law, and it's amazing what a held-hand can do.  

God loves and cares for us through His people sometimes, and the Lord wants us to be those people to others sometimes.

Just as we have received from God--He wants us to give back to Him.

Have we ever had any encouragement from being united with Christ?  

Have we ever had any comfort from his love? 

Have we been with others and experienced a common sharing in the Spirit?  

If we have experienced any tenderness and compassion from the Lord...then we are prompted by Him to give it back to Him by giving it to others.  Just as my sister-in-law did to me.  She was right there for me, just as God has been right there for her.  And her kindness, tenderness and compassion in Christ makes me want to be like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 

This is what God wants, and having realized what a gift this is to receive...I now want to give it.  

And that is exactly God's plan: 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, (2) then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (4) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.  

(5) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus...  ~Philippians 2:1-5 

It's like this beautiful circle and cycle that continues on and on and on.  

We are encouraged from being united with Christ, and then He leads us in ways to encourage, comfort, to provide tenderness and compassion to others.  Let me be the first to tell you: it's a beautiful process, and it works.

I did not walk through my fire alone.  

He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”  ~Daniel 3:25

To me, she looked like a daughter-of-God, and guess what?:  I came out unbound and unharmed.

Everything went well, and everything went better because I had someone that loves me and loves God holding my hand.  I know that I also had the Big Someone Upstairs holding my hand through her.  

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

Do we not think that God can and does use His people to be His hands when we need Him?  He used my sister-in-law, and I pray (now) that He will use me and that He will use you.  

God loves and cares for us through His people sometimes, and the Lord wants us to be those people to others sometimes.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children (2) and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.  ~Ephesians 5:1-2

Blessings, 

Sarah 

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com

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