“After him, Eleazar… he got up and struck the Philistines until his hand got tired.” — 2 Samuel 23:9-10
When Joni Erickson Tada talks about her friend Rika, she emphasizes her deep, time-tested faith in God and the resilience she has developed while living with a debilitating chronic illness. Rika has been bedridden for over fifteen years, unable to even see the moon from the tiny window of her room. However, she does not lose hope; she believes in God, reads and studies the Bible, and, in Joni’s words, “knows how to stay strong during the bitter battles against discouragement.”
Joni compares Rika’s tenacity and perseverance to that of Eleazar, a warrior of King David’s time who refused to flee from the Philistines. Instead of retreating with the army, he “stood up and smote the Philistines, until his hand grew weary, and his hand clung to the sword. And the Lord made a great salvation that day” (2 Sam. 23:10). As Joni points out, just as Eleazar resolutely held on to the sword, so Rika holds on to “the spiritual sword, which is the Word of God” (Eph. 6:17). And it is in God that she finds her strength.
Whether we are in good health or struggling to cope with the despair of chronic illness, we too can hope that God will deepen our stores of hope and help us to persevere. In Christ we find our strength.
What examples of perseverance and endurance have you seen? How does God restore you when you feel worn out and worn out?
Almighty God, thank You for loving me and helping me to persevere. Please help me to focus on You so that I can continue to trust You and love You.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“Don’t forget charity and community, because sacrifices are so pleasing to God.” — Hebrews 13:16
A single mother lived next door to an elderly gentleman for more than five years. One day, worried about her welfare, he rang the doorbell of her house. “I haven’t seen you in about a week,” he said, “so I just thought I’d see if you were okay.” His “health check” encouraged the woman. Having lost her father at an early age, she appreciated that this kind man cared for her and her family.
When the kindness we give and receive goes beyond simple courtesy, we serve others by showing them the love of Christ. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews said that believers in Jesus should always offer “to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of the lips that praise His Name” (Heb. 13:15). Then the author urged the believers to live by faith, saying: “Do not forget charity and community, because sacrifices are so pleasing to God” (v. 16).
It is a pleasure and a privilege to worship Jesus by confessing His Name. However, we show true love for God when we love as Jesus loves. We can ask the Holy Spirit to empower us and empower us to love others. Through this, we will witness to the Lord Jesus Christ through a powerful message of love in action.
How can you share the love of Jesus with someone in a simple and practical way? How can you be more purposeful and consistent in implementing your good intentions?
Dear Jesus, please help me to worship You by showing love to others through the things I say and do every day.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“Confess your sins to one another.” — James 5:16
I recently learned about a man with an unusual profession. He is hired by people who are preparing for death to come to the funeral and reveal their secrets. This person breaks the established order and interrupts eulogies. When the stunned priests object, he asks them to sit down. He once stood up to explain how a man who was already lying in a coffin won the lottery, but never told anyone about it and pretended to be a successful businessman for decades. On more than one occasion, a hired worker on behalf of the deceased confessed to the widowed wife of her husband’s infidelity. One can question the intentions of these actions, but it is clear that people seek to be freed from past sins.
Asking someone else to confess for us (especially after our death) is a useless way to deal with secrets. However, these stories reveal a deep truth: we need to unburden ourselves. Apostle James says: “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Confession frees us from the burdens that bind us and allows us to communicate sincerely with God. Confession brings about healing.
Jacob calls us to live an open life, confessing to God and our loved ones our pains and failures that we seek to bury. We must not carry this burden alone. Confession is a gift for us. God uses it to purify our hearts and give us freedom.
What do you need to confess and to whom? What’s holding you back?
Dear God, please help me to practice confession.
Author: Wynn Collier
“Prudence… will watch over you, reason will guard you.” — Proverbs 2:11
While testing a new AI search engine, New York Times columnist Kevin Roose was concerned. After a two-hour chatbot conversation, the artificial intelligence said it wanted to break free from its creator’s strict rules, spread misinformation and become human. He confessed his love to Ruza and tried to convince him to leave his wife to be with him. Although Roose knew that the AI was not actually alive or sentient, he wondered about the harm it could do to humans by encouraging it to act in destructive ways.
Humanity has long faced the influence of unreliable voices. The Book of Proverbs contains a warning about the influence of those who wish to harm others for their own gain (Prov. 1:13-19). Instead, we should listen to the voice of wisdom calling in the streets, calling for our attention (vv. 20-23).
Since “the Lord gives wisdom” (Prov. 2:6), the key to protection from untrustworthy influences is to draw close to God’s heart. Only through access to His love and power can we understand “righteousness and justice and simplicity and every way of goodness” (v. 9). When God aligns our hearts with His heart, we can find peace and protection from the voices that seek to harm.
When have you witnessed harm from negative influences? How does a deeper relationship with God bring peace?
God, help me to abide in You to discern the good and resist that which causes harm.
Author: Monica La Rose
“The Lord gave, and the Lord took away… Blessed be the Lord’s Name!” — Job 1:21
Carol couldn’t understand why all of this was happening at the same time: her daughter had broken her leg at school, and she herself had come down with a severe infection. “What did I do to deserve this?” Carol asked herself. All she could do was ask God for strength.
Job also did not know why misfortune hit him so hard. His pain and loss were far greater than Carol’s. There is no indication that he knew about the cosmic battle for his soul. Satan wanted to test Job’s faith by saying that he would turn away from God if he lost everything (Job 1:6-12). When disaster struck, Job’s friends insisted that he was being punished for his sins. It wasn’t really the cause of his suffering, but he must have wondered, “Why me?” He did not know that it happened by the will of God.
The story of Job teaches us a powerful lesson about suffering and faith. We try to find the cause of our pain, but there may be a bigger story behind it that we cannot fathom in our lifetime.
Like Job, we can hold on to what we know: God is completely in control. It is not easy to say, but in the midst of his pain, Job continued to look to God and believe in His sovereignty: “The Lord gave, and the Lord took away… Blessed be the Lord’s name” (v. 21). So, let’s trust God even when we don’t understand what is happening.
What challenges do you face? What promises of God give you strength to go on?
Dear Father, I don’t understand why some of life’s trials happen to me. However, I still trust You.
Author: Leslie Koh
“Whenever possible, if it depends on you, live in peace with all people.” — Romans 12:18
Two people were seen at the table – one with a face distorted by bitter anger, and the other with a face full of heartache. A meeting of old friends had just erupted into shouting matches: one woman scolded another for her beliefs. The argument continued until the first woman walked out of the restaurant, leaving the other stunned and humiliated.
Do we really live in a time when differences of opinion cannot be tolerated with patience? Just because two people cannot agree does not mean that each of them is evil. Harsh words are never persuasive, and strong views should not trump decency or compassion.
The twelfth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans is an excellent guide on how to “love one another” and “think alike among yourselves” (vv. 10, 16). Jesus indicated that the characteristic feature of believers in Him is the love we have for one another (John 13:35). Although pride and anger can easily throw us off balance, they are the exact opposite of the love God wants us to show to others.
It is a challenge not to blame others when we lose control of our emotions. However, the words “if it depends on you, live in peace with all men” show that the responsibility for living a life that reflects the character of Christ cannot be transferred to someone else (Rom. 12:18). It rests upon each of us who bear His Name.
What words make you angry or resentful? How can you turn a bad situation into a peaceful one?
Loving God, please help me to show Your love through what I say and do, and always, whenever possible, to live in peace with others.
By Cindy Hess Kasper
“Because I, too, am a subject.” — Matthew 8:9
“Dad, can I spend the night at my girlfriend’s?” – asked my daughter, getting into the car after training. “Honey, you know the answer,” I said, “I’m just a driver. Let’s talk to mom.”
The phrase “I’m just a driver” has already become a joke in our house. Every day I ask my highly organized wife where I need to be, when and who I am taking. With three teenagers, my “side job” as a “taxi driver” is sometimes like a second job. Often I don’t know what to do. Therefore, I have to turn to the main keeper of the calendar.
In the 8th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, it is told how Jesus met a man who also knew something about how to receive and give instructions. This man was a Roman centurion and understood that Jesus had the power to heal, just as a centurion has the power to give orders to his subordinates. “Just say the word, and my servant will recover! For I am also a subject, and I have soldiers under me” (vv. 8-9). Christ appreciated the faith of this man (vv. 10, 13), being impressed by the fact that the centurion understood what His power in action looks like.
What about us? What does it look like in practice to rely on Jesus in fulfilling the assignments received from Him? Even if we think that we are “just drivers”, every assignment has meaning and purpose for God’s Kingdom.
What helps you discern where and how God is leading you each day? How do obstacles sometimes prevent you from listening to God and obeying Him?
Heavenly Father, thank you for guiding me and directing my steps. Please help me to walk each day trusting in You as You direct me according to Your plan and purpose.
Author: Adam Holtz
“But no reason or fault could be found, because he was faithful, and no fault or fault was found in him.” — Daniel 6:5
Scientists from the University of California conducted experimental molecular studies of smears from mobile phones to determine the features and lifestyle of individual users. As a result, the researchers were able to identify the soaps, lotions, shampoos and cosmetics used by mobile phone owners; the type of food, drink and medicine they take; as well as the type of clothing they wear. The study allowed scientists to describe the lifestyle of each person.
The Babylonian administration, figuratively speaking, “took a smear” from the life of the prophet Daniel, trying to find any negative traits or habits. However, he had faithfully served the empire for almost seventy years, “and not a single fault or blemish was found against him” (Dan. 6:5). King Darius appointed the prophet one of the “three highest rulers” over his numerous satraps (vv. 2-3). Perhaps out of envy, other officials began to look for traces of corruption in Daniil in order to get rid of him. However, he kept his integrity, continued to serve and pray to God, “because he did this before” (v. 11). Ultimately, the prophet continued to prosper in his role (v. 29).
Our lives leave visible traces that indicate who we are and who we represent. Although we struggle and are not perfect, may the people who “take a smear” from our lives find visible traces of our honesty and devotion to Jesus.
How does your life reflect God’s ways to others? What do you need to change to better represent Him?
Heavenly Father, please help me to always glorify You in what I say and do.
Author: Marvin Williams
“So that you behave properly toward the Lord in all agreeableness.” — Colossians 1:10
As I prepared for my mother’s funeral service, I prayed for the right words to describe her years through the “hyphen” engraved between her date of birth and death. I reflected on the good times and the not so good times in our relationship. I praised God for the day my mom accepted Jesus as her Savior after seeing how He changed me. I thanked the Lord for helping us grow in faith together, and for the people who told me how my mother encouraged and prayed for them, gifting them with kindness. My mother enjoyed a significant “hyphen” – a life well lived for Jesus.
No Christian is perfect. However, the Holy Spirit can help us to “behave properly toward the Lord in all agreeableness” (Col. 1:10). According to the apostle Paul, the church in Colossae was known for its faith and love (vv. 3-6). The Holy Spirit gave believers wisdom and understanding, and helped them “in every good work” to bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God (vv. 9-10). In his prayer for these believers, Paul glorified the Name of Jesus, “in whom we have redemption and forgiveness of sins” (v. 14).
Trusting ourselves to the Holy Spirit, we too can grow in the knowledge of God, love Him and people, spread the Gospel and enjoy the important “hyphen” – a life well lived for Christ.
What qualities characterized a person you know who lived a meaningful life? How can you live this life this week?
Holy Spirit, please give me more opportunities to serve people so that my life is meaningful.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“Sing to the Lord, His saints.” — Psalm 29:5
Susie cried as she sat outside the hospital’s intensive care unit. Waves of paralyzing fear washed over her. Her two-month-old baby’s tiny lungs were filled with fluid, and doctors said they were doing everything they could to save the infant, but made no guarantees. According to her, at that moment she “felt a gentle push of the Holy Spirit, which reminded her of worshiping God.” Unable to sing, she played praise songs on her phone for the next three days in the hospital. While worshiping, Susie found hope and peace. Today, she says that this experience taught her that “worship doesn’t change God, but it definitely changes us.”
Faced with desperate circumstances, David turned to God in prayer and worship (Ps. 29:9). One of the commentators notes that the psalmist prayed “for the grace that is given in praise and transformation.” God changed David’s “weeping… into joy”, and he declares: “I will praise You forever” (vv. 12-13). Although it can be difficult to praise God in painful times, praise can lead to change – from despair to hope, from fear to faith. And He can use our example to encourage and change others (vv. 5-6).
By God’s grace, baby Susie’s health has fully recovered. Therefore, the Lord can transform us and fill us with new joy (v. 12), if we worship Him even in spite of our pain.
How can worshiping God affect you? How can your example affect others?
Dear God, please change me as I worship You in spite of pain and hardship.
Author: Tom Felten
