[image: Our Daily Bread] <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=11&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> [image: Our Story] <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=21&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> Our Daily Bread -- Test Match
July 25, 2016 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=11&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> Read: Psalm 35:17-28 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=8&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> Bible in a Year: Psalms 37-39; Acts 26 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=10&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=7&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions. —Psalm 35:17 <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=18&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> A test match in the game of cricket can be grueling. Competitors play from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with lunch and tea breaks, but the games can last up to five days. It’s a test of endurance as well as skill. The tests we face in life are sometimes intensified for a similar reason—they feel unending. The long search for a job, an unbroken season of loneliness, or a lengthy battle with cancer is made even more difficult by the fact that you wonder if it will ever end. Perhaps that is why the psalmist cried out, “How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions” (Ps. 35:17). Bible commentaries say that this was speaking of the long period in David’s life when he was pursued by Saul and slandered by the king’s advisors—a time of trial that lasted for years. Yet, in the end, David sang, “The Lord be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant” (v. 27). His testing drove him to deeper trust in God—a trust that we can also experience in our own long seasons of testing, hardship, or loss. —Bill Crowder *As time drags on and answers seem faraway, teach me, Father, to find my help in You and Your presence. Enable me to endure, and empower me to trust in You.* When your burdens overwhelm you, remember that God has His arms underneath you. *INSIGHT:* David found strength to endure his trial by reflecting on and trusting in the character of God (Ps. 35:9-10). Three young Hebrew captives in Babylon—Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, whose names were changed to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Dan. 3)—are other examples of trust during difficult circumstances. The Babylonian ruler commanded them to dishonor God by bowing before a giant idol. They faced this challenge with hope because their past experiences with God taught them that He was worthy of their trust and confidence. Dread and apprehension turned to sure confidence and expectation because God had shown Himself faithful. Adapted from *Hope: Choosing Faith Instead of Fear <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=22&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0>.* Share With Your Friends <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=16&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> Featured Video <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=9&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> [image: Our Daily Bread Ministries] <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=11&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> Our mission is to make the life-changing wisdom of the Bible understandable and accessible to all. Our vision is to see people of all nations experiencing a personal relationship with Christ, growing to be more like Him, and serving in a local body of His family. To read today's *Our Daily Bread* online visit www.odb.org <http://links.rbcministries.mkt6605.com/ctt?kn=13&ms=MjYwNTgwNzkS1&r=NzgyMDAzNDM0MjcS1&b=0&j=ODQzMzQ3NzMxS0&mt=1&rt=0> . Copyright © 2016, Our Daily Bread Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555 USA. Written permission must be obtained from Our Daily Bread Ministries for any further posting or distribution. Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved. -- -- USE INCREDIMAIL ONLY IN THIS GROUP NO NUDITY ALLOWED --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "fiftiesoldiesmusicgroup" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to fiftiesoldiesmusicgroup+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
