Have you ever faced a tough circumstance and wondered, God, where are you? Maybe you’re in one of those situations right now. I’ve had them too.
That was the situation with many of Jesus’ followers after He was crucified and buried. They had lost their hopes and dreams and didn’t know where to turn. Let’s take a look at one story.
The same day Peter and John discovered the empty tomb, two of the disciples were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As the sacred city lay behind them, so did their hopes and dreams. While discussing the tragic events of the past weekend, another man appeared and began to walk along side them.
“What are you talking about?” the man asked.
“Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know about what happened over the past few days?
“What things?” the man asked.
Then the two disciples gave the traveler a blow-by-blow account of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion, and disappearance from the tomb. Their eyes were blinded by despair and didn’t realize that hope was walking right alongside them. All they saw was the tragedy, but they missed seeing Jesus walking on the dusty road with them.
When they reached the village where they were going, they urged this “stranger” to join them for dinner. At the table, Jesus assumed the role of host and took the bread. He gave thanks, broke the loaf, and passed it to the men.
At that point, I am sure a flood of memories returned to the men…memories of another meal where Jesus broke bread with His followers. But perhaps what opened their eyes to this man’s true identity were the nail-scarred hands that held the bread.
Luke tells us, “Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight” (24:31 NIV).
Perhaps you’ve traveled down your own dusty road to Emmaus, with circumstances leaving you confused, troubled, and depressed. If so, remember this my friend: Just because we cannot see Jesus or sense His presence does not mean that He is not there. He is walking the path with us. Jesus assures us with these words: “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). He gave His word. He gave His life.
Dear Lord, I know that you are always with me. Forgive me when I whine about being all alone. Forgive me when I whine that nobody understands my problems. I know that You understand all things and that You are my hope Who is always walking right along the path with me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
How would the realization that Jesus is always walking along the path with you change your reaction to disappointments and broken dreams? Leave a comment and let’s share.
Digging Deeper
Sometimes life just doesn’t turn out like you hoped it would, and we have the scars to prove it. But our scars don’t have to be something we are ashamed of, no matter how we got them. Just as people recognized Jesus when they saw his scars, people will see Jesus when you share about yours…when you tell your story. Learn how to turn your pain into purpose, and your messes into your message. Release the power of your past and begin using what you’ve gone through for good with When You Don’t Like Your Story: What if Your Worst Chapters Could Become Your Greatest Victories.
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Comments 21
Thank you for this
This is so heart warming and I am renewed by it
My love is strong
Thank you
I’m traveling down my own dusty road to Emmaus, with circumstances leaving me confused, troubled, and depressed. I know God opened the way for my husband and I to leave our home in Kansas, our church home of 29 years, teaching a women’s Sunday school class (25) years, and a seniors Bible study at a nursing home, plus all my beloved family and friends, and move across country to Florida. Plus, right before we left for Florida, I had to let my furry friend of 14 years go because she was sick and wouldn’t make the trip. We’ve been here five weeks and sometimes feel like we may have made the wrong decision to move. It’s been lonely, dusty, and depressing. Plus, we’ve had a difficult time finding a church home. I know Jesus moved us here for an eternal purpose, and I know He is walking with us. Please pray for our broken hearts. Thank you
Praying for you. You will find another church home just keep praying. Try asking God for what church and church family you are looking for. I know God will answer your prayers. This is where we have to trust God and keep our faith that it’s all in His timing and plan. 🙏🙏🙏❤️
Hi, I’m not sure what part of Florida you are in but my friend Rhea Briscoe and her husband Dave just moved there a year ago and she does an online Bible Study and has a women’s ministry. Look into Snow Drop Ministries, Rhea Briscoe. She is a lovely, spirit filled leader and a beautiful person!! Praying you find your place! I know it’s hard!
Warmly with Blessings,
Becky
I’m praying for you sweet sister🤍 I am on the same road! I moved 10 months ago to be closer to my daughter after losing my husband of (39 years) He passed 3 years ago and this Saturday is/was our anniversary. I am trying to settle in a new area that is more rural than I’m used to, still looking for a church, trying to make friends, along with waiting for a buyer for the home I moved from of 20 years. Long, lonely, depressing dusty road! The enemy likes to have us question all of this, lose our focus. Roxie, I know He has put us where we are for a purpose! He has a plan for you and for me! Jeremiah 29:11
Hugs to you, CoCo
I will certainly pray for you! My husband and I sold our home in Maine and left friends and family and our church family of 35 years and came to Ocala FL in Aug.2022. We had barely got settled in our home when he had a massive stroke and died March 2023.. i became friends with a neighbor in mt community who also lived alone but he passed away last Oct. Then I had to let my 18 year old cat go home.
Oh Roxie I could never imagine picking up and moving away from everything like you did. I wish you the best and will pray for you.
Roxie, maybe God moved you because He has a less-than-perfect church for you to serve, helping the people see Jesus in you. Praying He directs your path.
Good morning, Sharon….
Of all the devotionals I read each morning, yours is the one that resonates the most with me… No matter what you’re writing about. I just want to thank you for helping me through the tough times understanding and realizing that God is always with me, no matter what. You are, truly, a blessing in my life!
Thank you so very much!
Knowing Jesus is with me, I would be hard-pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; struck down, but not destroyed.-2 Corinthians 4:8-12
Realizing that Jesus is walking with me will give me a sense of knowing that there is someone who will catch me when I fall and understand when I’m feeling inadequate and unworthy
This came right on time. I’ve been wrestling with this very thing for some time now. The message really puts everything into perspective.
I’ve had to pray for forgiveness as honestly this truth of Jesus always walking with us through disappointments and broken dreams has been a paradox for me. I have doubted and even been angry. Seeing God like a cold parent who sees and does nothing. Who could not possibly understand and therefore cannot help.
But those lies make God very very small and my circumstances very very big. And yet since it is true that God is so much bigger than anything we could ever face……why? Why the broken life and broken hearts? Why the hard roads and unrelenting issues?
And then I think of people like Jonie Eareckson Tada, Amy Carmichael, Gladys Aylward, Corrie Ten Boom, Anne Frank, Eric Liddell, Chris Norton, nomads in Africa, and so many others who live lives against the current in spite of their circumstances. If they can do it with God’s help for a purpose, then I need to adjust my perspective and pray to align my heart’s desires with His.
When my husband went to heaven….Jesus was and still is right here with me. Thank you Jesus!
Beautiful. I’ve been down this road too many times, and every time God has always been there. I can look back over my life and see His hand in it all.
Thank you for this! I have forgotten and this reminder of Jesus being with us throughout our life is a blessing. I needed this as I have felt burdened, overwhelmed, ignorant, and lost. My journey has been long, and being an only child, I have felt unsure, alone, and fearful of making mistakes that I will be unable to fix. I find that I have not truly surrendered to the Lord, but thought I had. Christ’s words are powerful and need to be remembered. I am holding onto these words, and strengthened by them. Thank You.
My simple comment is…AMEN!! God is sovereign and His love endures forever.
When we do not see or feel Him, remember He is working things out for our good.
Knowing that God is with me during the good & bad times. This message was right on time for me as I trust in God during my current financial & weight loss struggles. I know God never leaves me or forsake me. I put my trust & faith in God because he has never let me down. He has & continues to supply all my needs in every aspect of my life. So, as I know that faith is trusting in God for the seen & especially the unforeseen, I know God is working behind the scenes and working it all out for me. God will bless me with favor & for that I am forever grateful. Amen!!! 🙏🏾
Thank you for this sweet reminder.
Though His Promises are readily brought to mind. The heartbreak of decisions made by adult children can be overwhelming. Clinging to Proverbs 22:6.
Thank you and God bless you. Martha
Thank you Sharon for this beautiful reminder! Struggles in my marriage, choices that adult children have made.
But I know my Lord and Savior is always with me, even if I think He is far away!
Isaiah 41:10. The Lord gave me this scripture when my oldest son went to prison in 2002(long list of drug charges)
He served 15 yrs. He was released 2017
He came home and married and now they have my beautiful granddaughter Grace.
He has had off and on struggles with his addiction since being out, but is now 9 mos clean and trying to rebuild his life, and most importantly with Christ and his family. I can see God “restoring what the locusts have stolen” (Joel 2:25). (40 yrs of addiction).
I also love the poem “Footprints In The Sand”(too long to type)
God Bless you all and I am praying 🙏