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Broom Tree Inn

Have you ever achieved that long awaited goal—graduated from college, scored that promotion, bought your dream house, or celebrated a major victory—only to wake up next day feeling empty or exhausted? One moment you’re celebrating, and the next you’re wondering why your heart feels heavy. Elijah, one of the greatest prophets, walked through something very similar.

1 Kings 19:3-7 – Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba …while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.

[Note: King James Version says “juniper tree,” but the Hebrew “rotem” is actually a small desert broom tree, the only shrub giving shade in Israel’s wilderness. New King James Version refers to it as broom tree].

Depressing News

Elijah had just celebrated a huge victory on Mount Carmel. He watched God send fire from heaven. Most of us would call this moment unforgettable. But when he got home, there was a letter in the mailbox – a death sentence from Queen Jezebel. Elijah knew that she had the power and the resources to end his life. He was afraid, desperate, and feeling hopeless. He fled south to the desert of Beersheba, about 80–100 miles away.

Dry Broom Tree Inn

Exhausted and afraid, Elijah collapses under a broom tree. This is a small desert shrub. It’s not impressive and majestic like the cedars of Lebanon or the tall oak trees. It was a simple and often ignored little shrub. But it provided a little shade, and rest for the weary Elijah. In our world, “Broom Tree Inn” would get zero stars on a Google Review. It wasn’t a comfortable place, it didn’t have even the basic necessities. All it had was a little shade. But the broom tree has something other trees don’t: survival skills. Arborists (plant study experts) say that it survives because it develops deep root systems to tap into underground water sources.

God often meets us in small, quiet ways before great breakthroughs. Perhaps from the most unexpected places, you received a comforting word, song, or scripture that revives your spirit. Or a friend or family member who sends you a text with a verse that encouraged them. Don’t discount these as insignificant occurrences while you face tough situations in life. Perhaps those are the unexpected “broom trees” that God has provided for you to take a breath, and reflect back on the situations of life.

Depression to Divine Intervention

At his lowest, Elijah asked God to let him die. But God didn’t scold him. Instead, He sent an angel with breakfast at the Broom Tree Inn and simply said, “Get up and eat.” That moment shows God’s heart—He cares for our basic needs before calling us to anything big. Elijah was so drained that he ate and went right back to sleep. The angel returned again, reminding us how patient God is and how deeply He understands the exhausted and the overwhelmed.

Depression and desperation are hard to explain to anyone who hasn’t walked through them. They make you feel alone, rejected, and painfully lost. The enemy uses those moments to drag you into darker places and push you toward hopelessness. Elijah—who was destined to never taste death—was so crushed that he begged for it. That’s what depression can do.

But Psalms 34 says the Lord stays close to the brokenhearted and saves those crushed in spirit. The Holy Spirit who hovered over the empty, dark earth in creation is still near you today. He’s not just hovering—He’s right beside you, holding your hands, steadying you, comforting you.

The bread and water Elijah received weren’t just food. They pointed to Jesus, the Bread of Life and the source of Living Water (John 6:35; John 4:14). And just like the angel spoke to Elijah, Jesus still whispers to every weary soul today: Get up. Be nourished. Keep going—your journey isn’t over.

Destiny Emerging from Despair

After that simple meal under the broom tree, Elijah found the strength to walk 40 days to Mount Horeb. This was the very place where Moses once met God. It was also where Israel’s story was shaped. We would think that Elijah was wandering aimlessly. But instead it was God leading him, step by step, back to the place where divine purpose was revealed.

Elijah thought he had failed. He thought his story was over. But God was quietly positioning him for what came next. He would anoint a new king. Jehu was appointed for specific tasks. Elisha was called to continue the ministry. It seemed like rock bottom. In reality, it was the sculpturing process. The Master was creating something beautiful from a rock.

Divine works in Deserts

The desert is more than an empty, dry land. In Hebrew,”midbar” shares a root with “dabar”, meaning “to speak.” Oftentimes, when we are ripped out of our comfort zone, we are thrown into a seemingly hopeless place. We don’t understand that this place can also become where God speaks most clearly.

Moses was called into leadership in a desert.
Jacob wrestled with God in the night wilderness.
Hagar heard God in the desert of despair.
Philip met the Ethiopian eunuch in a deserted land.

The desert isn’t a sign that God has turned His back on you. I’ve learned that God often chooses these unlikely places to teach and meet with you. He speaks with you in ways you couldn’t hear anywhere else.

Life Application

Maybe you’re reading this right in the middle of your own “Broom Tree Inn” season. The days seem long and heavy. It could be a diagnosis you never imagined that keeps echoing in your mind. Or the job you counted on suddenly disappears. Or grief quietly sits in the corners of your home because someone you love is no longer there. Or when the hurtful words and actions of others make you feel small and unseen.

If that’s where you are, take heart. James 5:17 reminds us that Elijah was a man just like us. One of Scripture’s greatest prophets—yet the Bible doesn’t hide his exhaustion, fear, or desert moments. Elijah had his broom tree season too. But everything changed when he heard God’s gentle whisper. And remember this: we only whisper when we’re close. God wasn’t distant in Elijah’s despair—He was right beside him.

As our own family walks through our season of grief, we can honestly say: the Lord stays close to the brokenhearted. His steady presence lifts us. It carries us and gives us the strength to keep serving Him with renewed courage each day.

So, take heart. You are not forgotten. You are not lost. You are exactly where God is able to meet you. And like Elijah, you will rise again—not in your strength, but in His.

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Worrier to Warrior

Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, and William Carey are all names etched in hearts of people for being great men and women of God. But they all had one thing in common. They all went through the dark tunnels of life where they asked the question most of us ask: “Why, God, Why?” The Bible talks about one famous warrior who asked the same question – Gideon.

Judges 6:12-13 (NIV)– When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior. “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

God’s Call and Gideon’s Condition
If you and I were in God’s place we would’ve reserved title “mighty warrior” or “mighty man of valor” to the world’s most successful war survivor, or the captain of the United States Armed Forces. But when God called Gideon, he was indeed in sad condition, trying to bring some bread to his family before the Midianites came and ransacked everything.

God’s Call in God’s Timing
God’s call to Gideon was not exactly the right timing in our eyes. We would’ve waited for the most opportune time, such as after a major war was won, to bestow this medal of honor. But when God called Gideon, he was anything but a warrior. Scattered across the Bible are many such instances. Abram was called Abraham (father of nations) when he had no children; Moses was called to lead Israelites when he was most drained in life after being in Midian for 40 years. God often calls people to do his work, in God’s perfect timing.

God’s Call to an active Gideon
Often we hear people say that they will serve God when God tells them to serve. But we see when God called Gideon, he wasn’t just sitting idly waiting for God to suddenly appear out of the sky to appoint him. Gideon was doing the best he can do, improvising the situation, and trying to protect what belonged to him. He was aware of the enemy’s tactics and he was also aware of the enemy’s weaknesses. He knew that if he threshed wheat (which is supposed to be done in an open field) in a winepress (a low ground with sticky stuff all around), the enemy wouldn’t bother coming there. So in that sense, he was unknowingly being a warrior. If you want God to use you for a greater purpose, start with what you have already. Begin investing in the talents you have, work hard on serving God’s people in the smaller roles.

God’s Call that seemed sarcastic
The Angel of the Lord (which is interpreted by Bible scholars as Christ himself) coming and calling a scared, dejected and worn out Gideon a mighty warrior might seem sarcastic to us. Some may even consider it insulting. But Gideon understood that this was no ordinary man talking with him. Gideon’s response starts with “Pardon me, my Lord.” Gideon had the mindset even in his pain to understand the one talking with him was here for a purpose. If you are going through pain and the Lord comes to you with a gentle whisper, perhaps a word from the Bible, a thought in the night when your pillows are drenched with tears, don’t ignore Him. Allow the Lord to impart his divine plan into your life.

Gideon’s Response – A Cry of Desperation
Gideon’s response to God was not a statement of one who had no faith, or a statement of one trying to question God. Rather it was a cry of desperation from a man who was trying so hard to hold on God’s Word when everything around him was failing. His land was being ravaged, hope was fading, yet he still believed God was there—in that very moment and situation. He asked the honest, raw questions many of us carry deep inside. If you’re struggling too, know this: God isn’t angry at your doubts or questions. He’s listening, waiting to hear your heart. In fact,  the Lord came and sat next to you, just to hear you share your heart. Speak openly to Him and let the Holy Spirit guide you. The answers may not come all at once, or in the way you expect, but God is sovereign—and when He gives you direction, it’s always for your good.

Gideon’s Reaction – Jehovah Shalom
Judges 6:24 (NLT)- “And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”)”. Gideon named the place Jehovah Shalom— not after the battle was won, but after he had an encounter with God. This commonly known name of God was birthed in the midst of utter chaos and confusion by a man who was called a warrior when he was infact a worrier. One encounter with God changed his perspective on things and caused him to put on the armor of faith.

Hall of Fear to Hall of Faith
Gideon is mentioned in Hebrews 11, the famous “Hall of Faith” chapter, which highlights Old Testament figures who lived by faith and were used mightily by God — despite their flaws, fears, and failures.

Hebrews 11:34 “And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets—who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.”

Personal Story
Our dear daughter Hannah was an example of one who held on to her faith till the very end. Despite going through 9 years of physical ailments and sickness she loved the Lord, served her Master, until He called her home to her eternal rest at the tender age of 16.

Life Application
Gideon asked the question I’ve asked—maybe you have too: “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?” That wasn’t a complaint or something that questioned God’s existence. It was the kind of question that comes when your heart is in pieces and heaven feels silent. I don’t think God was offended by it. He didn’t correct Gideon. He didn’t even answer the “why.” Instead, He told him what to do next. “Go in the strength you have… Am I not sending you?” It wasn’t the answer Gideon asked for, but it was the one he needed. And somehow, that was enough for him to take a trembling step forward.

Maybe you’re asking “Why, God?” right now—I still do sometimes. And it doesn’t make you faithless. It makes you real. What I’m learning is this: God may not always explain the pain, but He’s still in it with us. He still speaks. And when He gives you even a whisper of what to do next, that’s your lifeline. You may not understand everything, but if you have His presence and one next step—you have enough. Take it. Not because you feel strong, but because He is stronger. Not because you know what’s ahead, but, as the song writer says, because you know that the One who holds tomorrow is the One who holds your hand.

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Leaving A Legacy: Tribute to Hannah

Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr.—names we remember not just for what they did, but for the legacy they left behind. For the most part, their lives were measured and honored after they were gone. But the Bible speaks of a man who evaluated his own life before the end came—Paul. Sitting in a Roman prison, he wrote with quiet confidence:

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” – 2 Timothy 4:7

One of the greatest stories of the Bible is about how Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle.  A man who was the murderer of Christians became the tool that God used to save many. Through shipwrecks, imprisonments, beatings, and rejection, he remained steadfast in his mission to preach Christ. His life was not easy—but it was poured out faithfully in service to his Savior. When Paul declared that he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, he wasn’t boasting—he was affirming that a life lived in faithful obedience, even through hardship, leaves a legacy that outlasts suffering.

A Reflection: One Year Without Hannah

June 4th marks one year since our dear Hannah went home to be with the Lord. And as we look back on the 16 years God gave her to us, we do so not only with tears but with deep gratitude. For nine years, Hannah faced a health condition that reduced her blood platelet count. Her journey included blood transfusions, hospital visits, and many sleepless nights—but she endured it all with quiet strength. Her  life was not long by earthly standards, but she ran her race well. Endowed with quiet strength, a strong faith, and a servant heart, she lived a life that is an example to all. She truly fought the good fight—not just through her health challenges but in how she chose to live, love, and serve in the face of them.

Her absence is felt every day. We miss her laughter, her gentle reminders, her thoughtful help in every area of life. But even more, we continue to witness her legacy. Her fingerprints are still on our ministries, her influence still shapes our home, and her example continues to inspire others.

Her Legacy: Lessons from Hannah’s Life

1. Serve Quietly but Faithfully

Many people knew Hannah for her role in AWANA ministry on Friday nights. But her true service began on Thursdays, typing up songs, planning details—and extended to Saturdays for the post AWANA management tasks of the week. Her consistency behind the scenes taught us this: legacy isn’t built in the spotlight but in faithfulness. If you’re looking to make an impact, don’t wait for a platform. Find where the ministries of the church need help, and start by serving quietly and wholeheartedly where you are.

2. Support Others with Encouragement

Hannah wasn’t just a daughter—she was an encourager. Whether proofreading devotionals for Dew Drops of Manna, helping record audio, translating content, or simply reminding us of God’s promises, she had a way of lifting others up.

Hannah’s gift of encouragement reached beyond her family and friends—it touched the halls of the public schools she attended. Her impact was so profound that, even four years after she left elementary school, her teachers still remembered her kindness and service. After her passing, the school created an award in her name to honor exemplary service, now given at every graduation. Among her peers, she was a quiet light. A classmate wrote us a heartfelt letter, sharing how Hannah had been a source of hope during a difficult time. If you want to leave a legacy, be someone who encourages—especially when others are going through hardships.

3. Prioritize God’s Word

Over 2,200 days. That’s how long her YouVersion Bible reading continuous streak ran at the time of her passing. She treasured God’s Word above all, making time for it every day, no matter how she felt. That’s a legacy anyone can build—no special skills required, just daily commitment.

In her room, we discovered a precious notebook, lovingly handwritten each Sunday. Page after page—75 in all—were filled with thoughtful and detailed notes she took from the Sunday morning sermons preached by various pastors. It’s a beautiful reflection of her hunger for God’s Word and the quiet faith she nurtured week after week.

In a world full of distractions, sufferings and life’s challenges: anchor your life in Scripture.

4. Care for Home and Family

Hannah’s ministry began at home. At times she helped cook and bake, helped with her sisters’ schoolwork, reviewed their Sunday school memory verses, and handled many household chores when we were busy with church ministries. Discipline and avoiding procrastination were hallmarks of her life.  If you want to be used by God, start in your own home.

5. Live Counter-Culturally

She wasn’t drawn to trends or social media. She understood that her worth didn’t come from fitting in but from walking faithfully with Jesus. Her courage to be different—even in a world that pressures conformity—is a reminder that Godliness is still beautiful. A legacy worth leaving is one that stands apart from the world and points to Christ.

6. Courage from the Lord

Hannah was also a woman of quiet courage. Naturally reserved and not one to seek the spotlight, she wasn’t someone you’d expect to lead from a stage. But when the AWANA ministry needed direction, she stepped up. Relying on the Lord for strength, she became a steady guide—even to the adult leaders. When asked about her boldness, she said simply, “I was afraid—but there was a need, and God gave me the strength.” Courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s trusting God enough to serve in spite of it. That’s the legacy Hannah left behind.

7. Served till the end.

Even in her final days, Hannah’s heart was fixed on serving. Sitting in her hospital bed with IV lines in both hands, she told the AWANA leaders she was ready to help with the upcoming anniversary event. Her body was weak, but her spirit was unwavering. After she passed, we found the last two notes on her iPhone—lists of preparation steps and tasks for the anniversary, written just three days before she went home to be with the Lord. Her life was a quiet, powerful testimony of faithfulness—right to the very end.

Life Application: Fight Your Good Fight

As we reflect on Paul’s words and remember Hannah’s life, we’re reminded that we all have a race to run. It won’t always be easy—life comes with trials, delays, and disappointments. But the goal isn’t to run fast—it’s to run faithfully. Hannah’s life showed us that even a short journey can leave a lasting impact when it’s lived with purpose and poured out for Christ. She served quietly, encouraged others, loved God deeply, and held fast to His Word—right to the end. Don’t wait for perfect conditions to be faithful. Start now. Pray steadfastly. Serve where you are. Encourage someone. Stay rooted in Scripture. Fight your good fight. Because one day, we’ll all reach the finish line—and what a joy it will be to echo Paul’s words: “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith.”

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Walking in Valley of Baca

Traveling for business or vacation has become more hectic, with flight cancellations, poor hotel rooms, and unexpected events like hurricanes often disrupting plans. The Bible likens our life to a journey, filled with both joyful moments and times of uncertainty. Psalm 84 offers a powerful outline of this life journey.

Psalm 84:5-7: Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. As they go through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion.

Psalm 84 is classified as a pilgrimage psalm, sung as praise by those who traveled to Jerusalem to worship.

Meaning of Baca
The Valley of Baca, derived from the Hebrew word “bakah,” meaning weeping, is often referred to as the Valley of Weeping. Pilgrims are said to pass through this valley on their journey, though scholars debate whether it’s a real location or a metaphor for a difficult phase in life. Regardless, they agree that Baca represents a challenging experience.

Strength before Baca.
Psalm 84:5 begins with, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you,” highlighting that before pilgrims reach the valley of Baca, they are strengthened by the Lord. This verse emphasizes that we are not meant to journey alone; God offers us a reliable source of strength, but we must choose to rely on it.

Passing Through Baca
Traversing this treacherous valley means enduring harsh, arid conditions that can leave travelers extremely thirsty. Some of the characteristics of Baca:

  • Dry land: Baca is a place of extreme, and sometimes extended periods of dryness. There will be times you feel hopeless like Hagar felt (Genesis 16).
  • Deserted land: Baca is also a deserted place where you feel there is no one to help. Walking on roads marked with rocks of uncertainty is certainly painful.
  • Distorted land: In Baca, it can feel like everything you’ve known and believed, and even your faith in God, becomes distorted and distant. Trying to navigate your way through this land may seem futile at times.

Baca to Berakah
The Psalmist reminds us that when we trust God, the Valley of Baca can transform into the Valley of Berakah, a place of blessings. Even in dry times, they discovered pools of water, and as they waited for relief, God’s power came through, bringing refreshing rain to their parched land.

Strength to Strength
Travel can often leave us weary—kids exhausted, adults drained, and spirits low by the time we collect our luggage. But in this journey, something extraordinary happens. The traveler who trusts in God doesn’t just endure; he rises above it all, feeling more rejuvenated and full of vigor than ever.

End of Journey
Verse 7 reassures us that everyone will reach their destiny: Zion. Despite the dryness of the desert, the scorching heat, and the long, desperate days waiting for rain, nothing could stop the travelers from arriving at their destination.

Personal story
This blog article is written from the depths of the worst Valley of Baca my family and I have ever experienced. On June 4, 2024, our beloved 16-year-old daughter, Hannah, was called to her eternal home. Her sudden passing plunged us into a deep valley of weeping. Hannah was not just a proofreader, translation assistant, and audio reviewer for this blog ministry—she was our greatest encourager. Her absence is deeply felt in our daily lives and in all the ministries we are part of.

Walking through this valley has been incredibly difficult, yet the Bible reminds us that God is close to the brokenhearted. In this valley, where noises of confusion and despair seem to overwhelm us, we still hear God’s gentle whispers of comfort. In moments when the weight of grief feels unbearable, we sense God’s eternal hands beneath us, holding us up. As waves of sadness bring rivers of tears, we feel His presence wiping them away, renewing our strength and giving us hope. We hold tightly to the promise of His Word, knowing that we will see her again on the other shore. But in the midst of our sorrow, we are encouraged by the legacy of our daughter’s life, which continues to produce new lives committed to serving the Lord.

Life Application
One thing we’ve learned through our own grief is that everyone walks through their valleys of Baca at some point. If life has led you through seasons of deep disappointment, heartbreaking loss, or overwhelming confusion, take heart—God has promised to be with you every step of the way. Even when the enemy whispers that it’s too much to bear, remember God’s unshakable promise: He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Let His promises nourish your soul, and allow His Word to strengthen your heart. The Psalmist reminds us, “O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you.” The same God who gave us strength before our valley, and walks with us through it now, is faithful to guide you through yours. One day, we will look back and see His faithfulness through it all. So even in grief, choose to find hope, for our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Side Note:
I began writing this article before Hannah went to her eternal home. It’s taken time and God’s strength to come back and finish it. My family and I would deeply appreciate your prayers as we continue to walk through this valley of grief.

Audio version: spoti.fi/3NCh0un

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Cast Your Cares

Have you ever experienced those restless nights, tangled in worries and uncertainties? Perhaps it is anxiety about your health, family or finances. My family and I have experienced our share of these challenges firsthand. But the Word of God gives us a solution for it: Cast it and rest.

1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Casting Your Load
The English term “casting” doesn’t quite capture the full impact of Peter’s message. In Greek, “casting” is translated as “epiripto,” derived from “epi” (meaning “on top of”) and “ripto” (to hurl, throw, or cast with force). This word conveys a powerful and forceful action, suggesting a vigorous and decisive throwing or flinging of something to be free from its burden. In our daily lives, it’s like tossing heavy luggage into the trunk of a car after carrying it a long way.

Casting to the Carer
The word for “he cares” in Greek is “melei”, which means to bestow careful thought upon, to give painful attention to, or to be earnestly interested in. Peter’s message to us is this: We have a God who gives utmost attention to the details of your anxieties, and is able and willing to help you when you unload your burdens on to Him. David tells us in Psalms 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.”

Casting With Both Hands
The imagery of this verse vividly portrays using both hands to lift a heavy burden off our shoulders. Similarly, we can use our hands of prayer and promises in God’s Word to cast our burdens.

Casting Helpers
Knowing that we are not able to bear the burdens ourselves, God has promised us helpers for our time of need:

  • Holy Spirit: When your head is spinning with the seemingly unending worries, and your heart is wounded with the taunting attacks of the enemy, there is a helper who is always by your side: the Holy Spirit of God. Romans 8:26 says: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
  • Jesus our High Priest: Jesus who tasted the pains and sufferings of mankind, is now glorified and sitting at the right hand of God, is our advocate in heaven. Hebrews 4:15–16 (ESV) says “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Casting Example
A perfect example of someone who truly trusted the Lord during his trial is Peter himself, the writer this verse! Acts 12:6 says “The night before Peter was to be placed on trial, he was asleep, fastened with two chains between two soldiers. Others stood guard at the prison gate.”
Herod had imprisoned Peter and his life was in danger but knowing that his life was secure in God’s hands, Peter slept well that night.

Life Application
Life often brings burdens that feel overwhelmingly heavy. But in the original Greek version, we’re encouraged to fling these worries and anxieties onto the Lord. Let Him carry them, for He genuinely cares about every part of our lives and our well-being. Hebrews 13:5 assures us that Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” When the enemy’s roar seems deafening, step forward and roar back with the voice of Jesus – the Lion of Judah ! Proclaim His promises over your pain, and you’ll find the peace of God that surpasses all understanding.

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Mom’s Miracle Moment

While we celebrate famous inventors like those behind electricity, telephones, cars, light bulbs, and airplanes, we are in awe of their inventions. Their names are etched into the Hall of Fame for the impact of their contributions. But the Bible introduces us to a seemingly ordinary woman, Jochebed, who invented a remarkable waterproof, crocodile-proof product.

Exodus 2:3: But when she could hide him no longer, she got a papyrus basket for him and coated it with tar and pitch. Then she placed the child in it and put it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile.

Extraordinary steps in excruciating times.
In the years following Joseph’s death, Israel resided in Egypt under Pharaoh’s rule. Pharaoh issued a decree ordering the killing of all male Hebrew infants under the age of two to curb the growth of the Israelite population. In this oppressive environment, Amram and Jochebed, a devout couple, anticipated the birth of their third child. When Pharaoh’s command to the midwives to kill Hebrew boys was disobeyed, he mandated that all Hebrew male infants be thrown into the River Nile.

By faith, not fate
Hebrews 11:23- By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
Moses’ parents noticed that their child was special and believed in God’s purpose for him. They chose to hide him for three months, taking a courageous stand for their faith in God. They did not rely on fate or check the daily horoscope to ensure the safety of their baby.

Preparing for a Miracle
Moses’ mother Jochebed did not have a smartphone to search for a solution for their crisis. But she had one thing: the word of God hidden in her heart.
There are few important lessons we can learn from Jochebed:

  • Remember past miracles: The Hebrew word for the basket she made is tēḇâ (tay-baw) which means “ark”. The only other place this word is used is in reference to Noah’s ark. She believed that just as God had a plan for Noah’s life and rescued him from the flood, He could also save her family from Pharaoh’s oppression. In this corrupt time, as lawlessness threatens our children, let’s reflect on God’s past deeds and find hope.
  • Remember to prepare: Jochebed coated the basket with tar and pitch, showing her faith combined with practical preparation for the miracle. Despite limited resources, she did her best! The tar and pitch symbolize reliance on the Word of God and prayer. In a world full of dangers, like crocodiles waiting to devour us, let’s remember to carefully prepare our own baskets.
  • Remember to rest: After taking every possible step, she placed her baby in a basket and entrusted him to God, and waited for the miracle. Jochebed didn’t anxiously pursue the basket using the latest GPS trackers. Rather she used the other GPS (God’s Protection System) that has sustained her all through her life. She even posted Miriam to be ready to approach Pharaoh’s daughter at the right time.

Extraordinary reward for extraordinary faith
In his divine plan, God orchestrated a reward for Jochebed that no one had ever seen before or even after this incident. Jochebed became the only mother in whole world, who was paid from the king’s palace, to nurse her own child! What a beautiful Mother’s Day gift for this godly mother!

Rewards multiplied
Not only did Jochebed get paid to take care of her child, she also got the opportunity to instill godly values in him as a little child. This paid off in a greater measure when Moses became older.
Hebrews 11:24-25 says “By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.”
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22 that if we train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not depart from it.

Life Application
Jochebed’s life is a powerful example of trusting God through trials. Despite the heart-wrenching act of placing her precious three-month-old baby in a basket in River Nile, she surrendered her fears to God, knowing He would take care of what she couldn’t handle. Her story demonstrates how God rewards those who wholeheartedly commit to Him. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of this world and are tempted to give up, take courage from Jochebed’s faith. Remember, God is always in control of our lives. So take heart in His unending love and protection—you are never alone.

Spanish version: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/spanish-pages-list/el-momento-milagroso-de-mama/
Hindi version: bit.ly/44Db2Bh

Tasting In Testing

Have you ever experienced a dangerous situation, where you felt the weight of danger lift off your shoulders at the last possible moment? Perhaps it was deliverance in a car accident, or maybe a medical breakthrough for your sickness. These moments of narrowly escaping disaster often leads us to thanking God for divine providence. The Bible tells us of many such events, but one person who has experienced this many times is: David.

Psalm 34:1,8 – I will praise the LORD at all times; my mouth will continually praise him. O taste and see that the LORD is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him.

Some of the most beautiful and reassuring verses in the Bible were not
penned by men of God in peaceful settings; rather, they emerged from their
crucibles of sufferings. Psalms 34 and 56, for instance, were born out of David’s moments of extreme trouble, facing threats from all sides with no way out. The experiences described in 1 Samuel 21 provide the backdrop for these powerful psalms.


Proud Moments to Peril
Not long before this, David had triumphed over the giant Goliath. However, his newfound fame led King Saul to pursue him relentlessly, deploying all his military and intelligence assets to capture and kill David. David found himself in danger, feeling betrayed by the very Israelites he had saved from Goliath.
In desperation David runs into the land of Gath. Gath was the hometown of Goliath. Perhaps he went there because he felt that would be one place that Saul would not come looking for him. But the people of Gath captured him and brought him to their King Achish.

Songs from David’s Soul
During this desperate and life-threatening moments, David’s soul turned to God in songs from his heart. Psalm 56 outlines the pain and his prayer: “Be merciful to me, my God, for my enemies are in hot pursuit; all day long they press their attack.”


Tasting God in the “I Scream” moments
In these perilous times, David captures the goodness of God in Psalm 34:8 with these words: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” David emphasizes that God’s goodness isn’t merely heard about, seen in others, or found online on social media—it must be experienced firsthand. Just as tasting a favorite food brings a unique satisfaction beyond words, encountering God’s goodness brings a depth of sweetness beyond description.

Despite his circumstances, David’s heart is steadfast and focused on the provision of God. God gave him a rescue plan that was unique and never again repeated in the Bible: pretend to be a madman in front of the hostile king!

The process of tasting God’s goodness isn’t like walking into an ice cream store and asking for samples. Rather these came in the “I SCREAM” moments of life. In this taste test, we may go through the most desperate, debilitating, discouraging, and downward spirals of life. When everything seems like it has hit rock-bottom, we will see the everlasting hands of Jesus our Rock of ages.

Personal story
In this first week of May, my wife and I celebrate 24 years of God’s faithfulness. Our journey is filled with stories of God turning impossibilities into blessings. After years of praying for a child and enduring pregnancy losses, we experienced the miracles of having 3 beautiful children. Through painful trials of sickness and even near-death situations, we have tasted His goodness firsthand. Our story is a testament to what only God can do.

Life Application
Amid life’s ups and downs, we experience joy, trials, and everything in between. Despite varying challenges, we find peace in knowing God orchestrates every detail. As Luke 12:7 reminds us, God’s intimate care extends even to the hairs on our heads. David closes Psalm 34 with a reassurance: “The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.” So take heart and let’s boldly counter confusion with confidence, proclaiming victory through Jesus in every circumstance.

Spanish: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/spanish-pages-list/degustacion-en-pruebas/
Hindi: https://tinyurl.com/3w2uap8e