Straight From My Heart-STOMART

June 25, 2026

STOMART - Straight From My Heart

STOMART Daily Devotional

"He Knows What's Best"

By: Rev. A. Clementina Williams-Johnson, III

"When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." - Exodus 13:17 (NIV)

Often, we question God when things don't seem to support our feelings, attitudes, or decisions. If fact, most times, the question we pose to Him is indictment instead of a question to gain wisdom or understanding. It's alright, Yahweh knows what's best when it comes to you.

Yahweh's promise to deliver the children of Israel and give them the promised land. This promise was signed, sealed, and was about to be delivered. Knowing the minds of the Israelites and the intention of Pharaoh to still keep them under bo***ge, He did not take them through a shorter route but a longer one. He allowed they to pass through the Philistine country.

Why did Yahweh allow the children of Israel to travel through a longer route than the shorter one? Yahweh allowed them because He knew the shorter route had obstacles on the way. Such obstacle as war would have caused them to doubt Him, regret their decision, and return to Egypt since it would have been easier for them. The longer route may it harder for them to want to return after such a long distance covered. Yahweh knows what's best for you when He makes the decision on your behalf.

Remember that not every long distance or difficult time in your life is meant for evil. Most times, they are a journey of training and endurance to bring you to a place of realization and acknowledgement of who Yahweh is. His decisions are never a mistake or wrong.

Prayer
Help me, Yahweh, to always trust your decision concerning my life. May I get an understanding of your plans for my life. You oh Lord take the glory. Amen

Remain blessed always because of Christ.

June 23, 2026

STOMART - Straight From My Heart

STOMART Daily Devotional

"Your Appeal Is With God"

By: A. Clementina Williams-Johnson,III

"Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: "Why have you treated your servants this way?" - Exodus 5:15 (NIV)

Often, people usually go to the wrong places to seek refuge or help and to the wrong people. But have you ever wondered whether you are at the wrong destination or with the wrong person? Many, many years ago, when my dad was alive, he always wrote on my birthday card, "Not everything in life that glitters is gold." This is deep and true. What we may see on the surface is not actually the reality. Someone may profess to be something or do something but the intention is quite the opposite.

Moses and Aaron were on a mandate by God to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt because He had heard their cries. When King Pharaoh was informed, his first contention was he did not know the God they spoke of and the second was by what authority does this God have that he as a king have to listen and take instruction from someone he considered to be below him? He outrightly refused, and he became annoyed. He instructed his salves drivers and overseers to stop supplying the Israelites with straw to make the bricks, but they should produce the same quantity of blocks daily. The Israelites could not complete the required work. Pharaoh's salve drivers beat the Israelites overseers they had appointed because the task was not completed.

The Israelites' overseers went to complain to Pharaoh that the condition his salve drivers had given them was impossible to achieve, and they had hoped they would have gotten a proper redress. Little did they know that it was this same king who had given such a condition. They had taken their appeal to the wrong person instead of taking it to Yahweh. Pharaoh's response to them was that they were lazy people who only wanted to pray to their God without working.

Does this sound familiar? Yes. It's our fault that the power of prayer is questioned and the importance of serving Yahweh. Have you not heard that if you do not work, you won't eat, and there is dignity in labour. Yahweh has blessed you with skills and talents, but truly indeed, some people want to be lazy and depend on miracles for everything. It does not work like that. If you go to the wrong places and the wrong people, you will be taught a lesson you won't forget so easily. Your solution provider is Christ.

Prayer
O my Lord and my God, help me to remember who you are. Help me to remember to always reach out to you first when I don't understand or have an issue. May your grace and wisdom abide with me always. In Jesus' name, I have prayed with Thanksgiving. Amen.

Remain blessed always because of Christ.