(February 10, 2025) Mama Lava, sharing from her heart, challenges us to trust our loving and caring God…

February! What a great month!

And what a perfect topic we have on the Back Porch: God is for us!

Initially I didn’t chose this topic on purpose. Last year, as I sat with the Lord, planning a 2025 roadmap through the topic of overcomimg anxiety, I did not realise how appropriate it would be to talk about God being for us during this month of love. But, my friends, that is how God works! He knew what He wished me to share this month— and His timing is perfect.

Is God Really for Us?
I’m sure some of you are shaking your heads right now. For many, valentine season is a reminder of lost, unrequited, and unsafe love. And from that standpoint, it is hard to believe God is for us.

If that is you, I am so happy you’re here, reading this blog. I know God has an especially soft spot in His heart for you today. He wants to meet you where you are… if you’ll let Him. And do read comforting scriptures such as—

• Psalm 34:18, ‘The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.’
• Psalm 147:3, ‘He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.’
• Matthew 5:3-4, ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’

But— I know… you’re probably still sthinking…

If God is for Us, why are Terrible Things Happening?
If Valentine’s Day doesn’t ruffle your feathers, what about the bad news? It’s been awful, hasn’t it? Planes crashing, mobs clashing, fires slashing… how are we to say God is for us? It makes us anxious just thinking about it.

When I asked God for insight, I realised that I felt unsure. I asked Him why and He was quick to show me that I had misplaced my focus.

It is hard to accept that God is for us, when we’re looking at our troubled world. Satan is the prince of this world. He’s made a mess of it, and his intention is for us to stumble over the chaos and never look up. But look up we must!

With eyes on our Saviour, in full view of His goodness, mercy, kindness, grace, and love, it is easy to see that He is for us. With Him, we overcome the world as 1John 4:4 encourages: ‘You, dear children, are from God and have overcome… because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.’

John further encourages: ‘We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true. And we are in Him who is true by being in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life’ (1John 5:19-20).

1) God is for His people!
Looking in scripture, we see evidence that God is for us in all kinds of difficulty.

I think of Ruth. Her husband died, along with her brother-in-law and father-in-law. Her sister-in-law left. Ruth would not have asked for this plight in life, but God was with her. In a foreign culture and with no support, she took responsibility for herself and her mother-in-law.

She acted with such integrity that she caught the attention of a Godly man and remarried. Their son, Obed, was the grandfather of King David and their family tree eventually included Jesus!

Speaking of David, as a teenage boy he had to run from King Saul’s murderous intentions. He hid and despaired. But God brought David through the long and dramatic ordeal with the character he needed to rule God’s people and earn the title ‘man after God’s own heart’ from God Himself (1Samuel 13:14).

2) God is for me!
Yes… God is definitely for me! He’s proven it time and again. Let me share a couple examples:

My car was stolen when my kids were small. I had three car seats in the back of that 2-door sedan. Not having my car created immediate hardship. It was a trial I would not have chosen for my life. But God provided nice weather so we could walk when it was possible, and friends who offered rides when we really needed them. When the car was finally found, stripped bare and a total loss, the insurance money was enough to buy a minivan. And that van was a much better fit for our still-growing young family!

More recently, I was notified that my job will be eliminated. It was unwelcome news that hit hard and drove me to my knees. But God faithfully met me there. Through a series of miracles, He has helped me discover a passion He had planted in me long ago. He’s shown me how He has prepared me for a new line of work, and suddenly, I’m excited for future possibilities.

3) God is for us!
We see this theme repeatedly. Life is unpredictable and hard. But God is for us!

If we doubt this truth, it is because we are looking to the wrong source. When we focus on tragedy and devastation, it overwhelms us. But if we look to the Lord, open His word, examine His work in our lives and focus on the miracles, they also overwhelm us. And… we’re reminded that God is indeed for us.

4) God is for you!
Does this declaration resonate with you? If not—

• What are you looking at?
• Who are you listening to?
• Why is it hard for you to believe that God is for you?

My friends, the world and its problems produce anxiety. But you get to choose who and what has your attention. When you choose to love the Lord, and seek His purpose, you will find that He is for you.

5) God is for Those who Know and Love Him!

Dear friends— do know that God is definitely for us!
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Mama Lava delights to share openly and honestly from her heart. She sincerely believes in making the big world a bit smaller through caringly connecting, that Jesus wants to remove our anxieties and give us His joy. In her encouragements, Mama Lava regularly tells of life experiences from an unapologetically Christian viewpoint. Link: Mama Lava’s Back Porch (Doses of Maternal Love).
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