Jesus sought the fruit of the fig tree and found none because it was not yet fig season. He cursed the tree and the next day the tree was dried up from its root. Peter, being surprised at the quick change in the status of the tree, called Jesus’ attention to it. Jesus encouraged Peter to have faith in God. He gave Peter (and His other disciples) a quick lesson on faith.

I know we all have our challenges, we all have our burdens. Notice I said burdens and not problems. But, whatever our burdens are – whether it be financial burdens, relationship burdens, family burdens, health burdens, job burdens, your seemingly inability to cope under all these burdens, the promise to you and me today is to cast our burden upon the Lord and He shall sustain us. Let us allow Him to carry them for us. He is much stronger than us anyway. He can deal with it. He will work it out. He will sustain us. He will never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Keep on praying. Keep on believing. Keep on reminding yourself of His promises and hold fast to them. He will come through. He knows the plans He has for you. Plans to prosper you - though you may be in hunger now; though your bills maybe piling up; though the way seems all black and you are hedged in – He will come through. Hold on a little longer. Don’t give up.

The blind men followed Jesus from one point to the next while calling out to Him to have mercy on them. They would never give up on their dream of sight. They wanted their sight: they kept going and kept asking. Others were following Jesus too, so the throng must have been hard to follow – but they kept going, they kept calling out to Him.

I experienced real depression some years ago when all I wanted to do was just to lie in bed and just be lazy. It was painful to dress for work, to smile, to concentrate on other things except myself; I was just going through the motions. I was not physically ill, nor was I suffering from the burnt-out syndrome. It was not physical tiredness or exhaustion. I allowed the crucibles I was facing to almost get the better of me.

So, if God’s blessings aren’t overtaking you as promised, you need to revisit your obedience to His commands. If economic recession has left you in an economic daze; if your bread basket is empty and the bills are piling up; if your enemies seems to be prevailing, it’s time for a introspect obedience check to God’s commands. Then like Nehemiah, cry out to God in confession and He will abundantly pardon. Speak His promises to Him in prayer.

God promised to answer when we call. He will be with us in trouble to deliver and honor us. David found God to be His refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. You can too. Just call Him. The recited prayer can’t do when you are in trouble. You need a prayer from your gut as you cry out to God for deliverance.

In your time of trouble, when all hope is gone, do not give upon speaking to your Lord in prayer. In your darkest hour, cry out to God. Even if you blame God for allowing the crucible, stay on your knees and pray on. I know it’s sometimes hard to pray when troubles comes. But like the children of Judah, keep your eyes on the Lord and pray. Only God can tear down mighty strongholds. Only God can keep the enemy ‘at bay’ and only God can give you rest from those who perplexed you. Like so many others, go to God in prayer and keep your eyes on Him. Be still! The battle is not yours, it’s the Lord’s.

Leah Jacob made the wise decision to pray instead of complaining. She sang and talked praises to God instead of scheming like her husband and father. She had no need to hide false gods when she left home because the God of Heaven was her Father, comforter and friend. Because of her praying heart, God turned her disappointments into triumphs, into appointments. He will do the same for you and me.