"Do not sorrow over your trials, do not look upon them as misfortunes and calamities. They are black vessels, but they are loaded with gold. Your choicest mercies come to you disguised as your sharpest trials." -- Charles Spurgeon

Bible Gateway emails me a Bible verse every day. First thing in the morning, even before I leave the bed, I try to make it a practice to go to my phone to read it. Admittedly, this practice isn't always the best, for I'm often still half asleep when reading. ((chuckle))

That was the case this morning. As I came here to the forum to post a "Daily Quotation," a thought popped into my head. "Ahem....do you know what today's verse actually said?"

"Ummmm....[searching brain]....no."

You see, after getting up, I'd made my way to our office. Our window views are on that path. As I gazed out, I saw mist and fog among the trees. I love that look! Thank You, LORD! And, right now, it is raining, and there's a chill in the room. Thank You for the moisture, and thank You for the walls and roof that keep us protected from the elements!

Then, I went to my email to read today's verse again.

"Be glad, people of Zion,
rejoice in the Lord your God,
for he has given you the autumn rains
because he is faithful.
He sends you abundant showers,
both autumn and spring rains, as before." -- Joel 2:23 (NIV)

Several days ago, I heard a video (this one, I think) about how reliant Israel was (and is) on God providing water for them. I'd been watching it because the Feast of Tabernacles is coming up. In the video, it is mentioned that the Canaanites likely looked at the newcomers (Hebrews/Israel) and thought, "Here we are in the rainy season and going to our houses to protect us from the rain, but those crazy Hebrews are abandoning the shelter of their homes and going out into the rain to build little huts to stay in."

With the new moon's sighting, the first day of the 7th month on God's calendar started, which means it was the Feast of Trumpets/Shouts on Sunday. Next up is the Day of Atonement (10th day of the 7th month), then the 7-day Feast of Tabernacles starts on the 15th. Most think of the last appointed time as part of Tabernacles, so they say we have "seven festivals" in all. But, the weekly Sabbath is one of God's appointed times (listed in Leviticus 23 among His times to keep), as is the "8th Day." It is an interesting Bible study to see what happens on the day after waiting a period of "seven," circumcision being one of them. That 8th Day seems pretty important to God.

Taking care of His kids seems pretty important to Him, too. Thank You, Father, that we can rely on you, even as we do things in obedience to You that seems crazy to onlookers.

https://youtu.be/Bo1bjTOFbZA?si=L7Ie8i-BS3Vq46iu

"The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing." -- Hannah Whitall Smith