Sunset Over Water
The best Bible verse on this subject is: 1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks unto Jehovah, for he is good; For his lovingkindness endures for ever. Our kindness and love seems to have limits, but God does not have limits. He is God, the creator of the heavens and earth and is full of energy.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me.
The big secret to confidence and peace of mind is trusting God no matter what “mountains” we face in life. This is easier said than done, of course, but we can learn to turn our up-and-down feelings over to God, and depend upon Him every day. God may, or may not bless what we do, but His strength, grace, and wisdom are always available for us to tap in to.
The Apostle Paul went through many trials and difficulties, but he learned the secret of trusting God and relying on His strength. Paul’s sufficiency was found in Jesus Christ!
This verse is a great encouraging Bible verse.
Ancient Olive Tree in Jerusalem, Israel
Hannah prayed this prayer in Shiloh, a city in Samaria, Israel.
God Answers Hannah’s Prayer
Verse 21, “Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.” Hannah named her son, Samuel. The name, Samuel, means, “Asked of God”. I would even say Hannah named Samuel after her prayer. I asked God for something and God answered my prayer. Samuel is his name, which means, “God answers prayer”.
Hannah Fulfills Her Vow to the Lord
After the child had been weaned, Hannah went on to say that she would bring him to appear in the presence of the Lord that he might abide there forever. In other words, Hannah kept her promise. In verse 23 we read that Hannah’s husband said, “And may the Lord establish His word.” Hannah had been praying that God would establish the words of Samuel. Then in I Samuel 1:26 Hannah said, “…Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.” She brought Samuel to the Lord and spoke to Eli. Verse 27, “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” In other words, Hannah gave him to the Lord and they worshipped the Lord.
Hannah’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
Hannah begins to pray. The whole prayer is quite good. I will not read the whole thing, just portions of it. I Samuel 1:27, “For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: 28 Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.” She really experienced the Lord being her Rock. If you read the psalms of David you will often see him talking about being on a Rock, meaning he is in a secure place with the Lord. When you are in God’s presence, you are really secure.
Hannah prayed this prayer in Shiloh, a city in Samaria, Israel.
Trunk of Ancient Olive Tree in Jerusalem, Israel
Picking up Hannah’s prayer again in I Samuel 2:3, “Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. 5 They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up. 7 The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. 8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and He hath set the world upon them. 9 He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.” Notice it’s not by might, but by prayer. Verse 10 ”The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto His king, and exalt the horn of His anointed.”
Hannah asked God for something and God answered her prayer. Samuel is his name, which means, “God answers prayer”.
There are many places in the Bible that talk about trees. Let’s start with the two most significant. This picture is one of the most beautiful trees I photographed while in Israel about two years ago. Over 100 Bible verses mention or use, the word “tree“.
Beautiful Tree in Israel, Near the Sea of Galilee
Psalms 52:8, But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.
Psalms 104:16, The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that He planted.
Isaiah 55:12, … shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Galatians 3:13, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—
The tree of life is first mentioned in Genesis chapter 2. Then the last mention is in the last book of the Bible, Revelation chapter 22. Genesis 2:9, And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; and the tree of life, in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Revelation 22:2, In the midst of its street, and of the river, on this side and on that side, the tree of life, producing twelve fruits, in each month yielding its fruit; and the leaves of the tree for healing of the nations.
The next passage I want to talk about is John 15:1-2, where the word “tree” is not mentioned, but John does use the word, “vine”. To me the words “tree” and “vine” are closely related. John 15:1-2. “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” John uses the words vine, vinedresser, branch and fruit.
To me the vine and tree indicates that God wants us to have an intimate close relationship with Him so that our Christan life flows out of His life. More about this later. But in John 15:7 is a great Bible verse on prayer, “If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will and it shall come to pass to you”.
John 15:16, You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and have set you that ye should go and that ye should bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide, that whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Notice the relationship between “tree“and “fruit” in Matthew. Matthew 12:33, Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
Here are some more great Bible verses which contain the word “tree“.
Revelation 22:19, And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Revelation 2:7, He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Two Beautiful Trees, Chorazin, Israel
The Bible verse is Matthew 6:33, But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Be not therefore anxious for the morrow:….
Pray and Seek the Kingdom – California Beach
John Calvin talks about “restraining excessive anxiety”. Of course, excessive anxiety can arise in many areas of life such as money, time, relationships, work or societal issues.
John Calvin says: But rather seek first the kingdom of God. This is another argument for restraining excessive anxiety about food. It argues a gross and indolent neglect of the soul, and of the heavenly life. Christ reminds us that there is the greatest inconsistency in men, who are born to a better life, being wholly employed about earthly objects. He who assigns the first rank to the kingdom of God, will not carry beyond moderation his anxiety about life. Nothing is better adapted to restrain the wantonness of the flesh from breaking out in the course of the present life, than meditation on the life of the heavens. The word righteousness may be either understood as applying to God, or to the kingdom: for we know that the kingdom of God consists in righteousness, ( Romans 14:17 ,) that is, in the newness of spiritual life. All other things shall be added. This means, that those things which relate to the present life are but favorable appendages, and ought to be reckoned greatly inferior to the kingdom of God. – from the John Calvin Commentary.
Remember God’s Promises – Two trees, lake and mountains in Idaho
The Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the Lord’s declaration — “plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Unfortunately God’s people at that time were not happy with God or themselves. They had no faith in God that He could deliver them. So they doubted God, and only had “evil” thoughts about God, His plan and His purpose.
God still remembers His plan, purpose and promises towards the nation of Israel. God’s plan had not changed, but their thoughts about God did. So let’s remember God’s promises.
Look at God’s promise in this Bible verse in Deuteronomy 30:1 “And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the Lord your God has driven you, 2 and return to the Lord your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the Lord your God has scattered you.
Trust in the Lord – lake in Montana
We trust in many things like food, our house, our job, our bank account, hard work, our family or society. When things do not work we sometimes drop all else and trust the Lord! But only because we have come to our end, at least we think our end. So now to try to trust the Lord everyday is a stretch for many of us. Our understanding of life and events is somewhat limited, so that’s why the verse says to not rely too much on our thinking or understanding. God knows better than us, even though we like to think we understand everything.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.
Look at the story of Joseph in the Bible. Joseph had a vision to be a governor in Egypt, yet God let him through all kinds of very difficult trials. If Joseph had not been Egypt’s prisoner, he could have never been Egypt’s governor.
Every difficulty we pass through prepares us for our future work for God. So right in the middle (but this is hard to do), we need to trust in the Lord.
Prayer and Supplication with Thanksgiving – Seagull, Cannon Beach, Oregon
Prayer starts with thanksgiving, thanking God for all He has done. Sometimes this is hard to do, but thanksgiving helps our prayer. But this verse starts by telling us to be careful for nothing, that is, don’t worry about anything, just pray. Then it says to just let God know what’s going on, just talk to God. Then after all these items, there is the peace of God that goes beyond what we think and feel. This peace guards our hearts by filling us with the peace of God.
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful about nothing; but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses every understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts by Christ Jesus.