Our Partner in Hardship

Scripture:
Grain offerings and drink offerings
    are cut off from the house of the Lord.
The priests are in mourning,
    those who minister before the Lord.
Joel 1:9

Observation: As Joel discusses a very real famine caused by locust attacks, several times he points out that the Lord himself will be impacted. Food and drink offerings will be cut off from the Lord, as there will not be grain for bread or grapes for wine. The Lord himself will participate in the outcome of this plague by having less celebration in his temple.

Application: I have on my calendar to tithe today, on the first of the month. Our giving will be down ... about 70 percent. God it taking a hit from my employment situation.

This is the sign of a true partner - that when you struggle they join you in that struggle. That is what God ALWAYS says he will do. He joins us, not fights us. He lifts us, not crushes us. He comes along side of us, not stands and idly watches. He is not passive or opposed, but active in both the hardship and future outcome.

Jesus truly suffered as part of his act of saving me. He suffered emotionally, spiritually, and physically. He experienced pain and hardship far beyond what I have. This was his act of love ... being God, he joined in my human experience as a man, including the lowest of lows, to meet me where I am. He knew someday I would be down, and Jesus was already there waiting for me, to help me back up.

I am sad that God's church will suffer with me and my family. But I thank God for being with me.

Prayer: Lord, please do not allow us to stay down much longer. I want to partner with you in the good times, as you are partnering with me in the bad. Your love is so great. May I again be able to do the little bit I can in your kingdom here on earth. Amen.