Many miracles are missed because we’re expecting them to happen differently than God intends. If God said He was going to bring water, we’d expect it to come from rain. Yet, in II Kings 3, we see Him send it in a different way. He told the Israelites to dig ditches and water would come. We also limit what God can do my setting our expectations too low. Once God sent the water, it filled the ditches that they dug in preparation to the depth in which they dug them. May our expectation be great, and our preparation be greater so that God can do abundantly, above, and beyond anything we ask or think.

If you've had any life experience, you've encountered pain. Even individuals we've placed our trust in, held dear, or assisted can introduce pain into our lives. At that juncture, David had the option to retreat into solitude, yet he made a deliberate decision to actively engage with the concept of community. It's important to recognize that feelings of loneliness and isolation are consistently employed as strategies by adversarial forces. These influences attempt to persuade us that we're solitary. Nonetheless, despite our uncertainty about future outcomes, of this we can be certain — we are never alone. God remains a constant, unwavering presence.

There are moments in our lives where everything seems to be dead. All of our surroundings, dreams, hopes, and desires appear finished. In the beginning, there is always such promise and excitement. But over time, the hype diminishes, life happens, and it can feel as if it’s over. However, no matter how done it may seem, God is not done. If He spoke something, He will complete it.

It’s generally not our desire to purposely enter a valley, especially when we’re safe and secure on either side of one. In I Samuel 17, the Israelites wanted to defeat the Philistines and advance, but they were frozen in fear on the opposite side of the valley. It wasn’t until David showed up and was willing to go into the valley, that victory was won. See, even though the valley is rarely, if ever, a desirable location; it’s important. Because it’s usually in the valley and through the valley, that God fulfills His perfect plan.

Life's journey can resemble a rollercoaster, filled with its ups and downs, peaks, and valleys. During those challenging moments in the valleys, it becomes arduous to grasp the notion that they are only temporary and won't linger indefinitely. The prospect of things turning around might seem idealistic and unattainable. Nevertheless, even in the depths of these lows, hope persists, for the power of God's restoration remains constant.

We tend to view dark moments in life as bad whenever they happen. We feel as if darkness is always bad — but it’s not always bad. Dark moments are scary, uncertain, and blinding; however, it is in the dark moments that we can experience God working His greatest plans. Don’t run from the shade, embrace it.

Momentary disappointment is a natural part of life, but God has a greater plan and perfect timing. Many times we go where God sends us and do what he says, but we don’t see what was promised. Even when things don't go as expected or dreams seem delayed, God remains faithful and true to His promises. In moments of doubt or uncertainty, it is comforting to know that God never forgets His promises. Just as He remembered His promises to the Israelites, He will remember His covenants with us. Trusting in God's plan and timing allows us to find hope and peace, knowing that He is working all things together for our ultimate good.

Jesus could have easily come down to earth from heaven and done what He wanted — He’s Jesus. But instead, He came down and did what His Father wanted. He chose to fulfill the will of the one who sent Him. Likewise, we all go through moments where we want to do our own thing. We have our plans, agendas, priorities. We have our responses to circumstances, our feelings, our emotions. And yet, in the end, it’s our following of His plan that leads to peace, fulfillment, and hope.

We often dismiss the extraordinary because it appears ordinary. We make things more complex than they should be. Jesus provides straightforward guidance, yet we underestimate it due to its simplicity. We even complicate the essence of the gospel. Jesus simply said, "follow me," but we have turned it into a set of rigid rules and regulations. Dress in this manner, pray in that manner, and only then will you reach heaven. We have needlessly overcomplicated what should be straightforward.