In God’s Hands

Bible Reading: Psalm 56:3-4, 8-11

Dylan grinned as his sister lay back on her inflatable raft. “I’m going to pop your float,” he told her. “You’ll sink.”

Gabrielle smiled, unfazed. “My life jacket will hold me up.”

“What if I take the life jacket?” Dylan asked.

Gabrielle shrugged. “It still won’t matter. This is the shallow end, and the water only reaches up to my waist.”

“Well then, maybe I’ll just pick you up and dunk you under,” said Dylan.

Gabrielle grinned and pointed to Mom sitting at the side of the pool. “With Mom there, I’ll be just fine.”

A while later, Mom’s phone rang. “I’m going to go pick Dad up from work,” she said after she hung up. “He just called to say he feels really sick, so I’m going to take him to the emergency room.”

Gabrielle and Dylan gave each other worried looks. “Okay, Mom,” Dylan said.

Mom was gone quite a while, and when she returned home, Dad wasn’t with her. “What’s wrong with Dad?” asked Gabrielle anxiously.

“We don’t know for sure yet, but they admitted him as a patient at the hospital,” replied Mom. “Hopefully it’s nothing serious.”

Dylan felt nervous too. “What if it is really serious?” he asked. “Aren’t you scared, Mom?”

“Of course I am,” said Mom, “but I’m thankful to know that God is in control, and that no matter what happens, Dad—and each of us—will be okay because we’re in God’s hands. We’ll pray for Dad, and we need to trust God to take care of him.”

“But what if something’s really wrong with Dad?” asked Dylan. “How could that ever be okay?”

“Earlier today, I heard you teasing your sister in the pool,” Mom told him, “but Gabrielle knew that no matter what you did, she’d be okay because I was there and would take care of her. Well, we can have absolute confidence that no matter what happens, we’ll be okay, because Jesus died to save us and give us eternal life. He will always be with us and take care of us—even if the worst were to happen. We’re safe in His hands.”

– Nance E. Keyes

How About You?

Has something happened that makes you feel sad or scared? Is someone you love sick? Has one of your parents lost a job? Did your parents get divorced? Whatever your troubles are, Jesus knows all about them. He loves you so much He died to save you, and He’s right there with you. Trust Him to watch over you, no matter what happens.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 56:3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Trust Jesus to care for you