“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
“We love Him because He first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19
When Elsa was diagnosed with cancer, she was ready to go to heaven to be with Jesus. However, the woman recovered, although the disease made her immobile. Elsie wondered why God had spared her life. “What good can I do? – she asked God. – I have neither money nor any special skills, and I cannot walk. What good am I?”
So she found small, simple ways to serve others, especially the cleaners in her house who were migrants. The woman would buy them food or give them a few dollars each time she saw them. These monetary gifts were small, but they greatly helped the workers to make ends meet. As she did this, Elsie felt that God cared for her, with friends and family giving her gifts and money, which enabled her to bless others in return.
As she shared her story, I couldn’t help but think of how Elsie truly lived out the call to love one another found in 1 John 4:11 and the truth that reminds us that it is “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Elsie gave because she received. However, for this she only needed a loving, grateful heart and a willingness to offer what she had, and God multiplied these gifts. So, let’s ask the Lord to give us a grateful and generous heart so that we can give according to His guidance!
What have you received from God? How can you encourage someone today in a simple yet meaningful way?
Dear Father, thank you for your gifts in my life. Please give me the heart to love others as You have loved me.
Author: Leslie Koh
“Even if you wash yourself… your guilt will be a stain before My face, says the Lord God.” — Jeremiah 2:22
“Oh, no!” – I exclaimed sadly, opening the dryer to get the laundry. My white shirt was covered in ink stains, like a leopard’s skin. I forgot to take the fountain pen out of my pocket, and now all the linen was hopelessly ruined.
In the Holy Scriptures, the word “stain” is often used to describe sin. It penetrates into the cloth and spoils it. This is how God, through the prophet Jeremiah, described sin, reminding His people that its stain cannot be cleansed: “Though you wash yourself with lye, and you heal yourself with soap, your guilt will be a stain before My face” (Jer. 2:22).
Fortunately, sin does not have the final say. In the Book of the prophet Isaiah, it is said about God’s promise that He can cleanse us from the stains of sin: “When your sins are like crimson, they will become white as snow; if they are red like crimson, they will become like wool!” (Is. 1:18).
Unfortunately, I was unable to remove the ink stains from my shirt. Likewise, I cannot remove the stains of my sin. Fortunately, God cleanses us in Christ, as we are promised in the text of the 1st Epistle of John 1:9: “When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
What has been the experience of forgiveness and cleansing from sin in your life? What “stain” do you perhaps need to bring to God?
Heavenly Father, please help me to keep the promise that in Christ there is forgiveness and purity, that I am washed and white as snow in Your eyes.
Author: Adam Holtz
“I will not leave you, nor will I depart from you!” — Hebrews 13:5
Thousands of people prayed for Pastor Ed Dobson when he was diagnosed with amyotrophic sclerosis in 2000. Many believed that when they prayed in faith for healing, God would answer immediately. After 12 years of battling a disease that had caused Ed’s muscles to gradually atrophy (and three years before his death), someone asked him why he thought God still hadn’t healed him. “I am not concerned with this issue,” he answered. His wife, Lorna, added: “If you’re only looking for answers, you can’t really live.”
Do you feel the reverence for God in Ed and Lorna’s words? They knew that God’s wisdom was greater than their own. Still, Ed admitted, “I find it almost impossible not to worry about tomorrow.” He understood that the disease would lead to even greater disability, and he did not know what new problem the next day might bring.
To focus on the present, Ed posted a scripture in his car, on his bathroom mirror and next to his bed: “[God] said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you!’ That is why we boldly say: “The Lord is my helper, and I will not be afraid of anyone”” (Heb. 13:5-6). Whenever Ed began to worry, he repeated these words.
No one knows what tomorrow will bring. Perhaps Ed’s practice can help us turn our anxieties into opportunities for trust.
What Bible verses help you focus on today and not worry about tomorrow? Where can you place them to help your faith grow?
Heavenly Father, help me to remember that You are God and I am human. Please teach me to trust You.
By Ann Sitas
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” — Proverbs 18:21
Leaders of educational institutions rarely admit their guilt when a tragedy occurs within their walls. However, a year after the suicide of a 17-year-old student, the prestigious school admitted that it “tragically failed to protect him.” The student was constantly bullied, and the school authorities, despite knowing about the abuse, did nothing to protect him. The school has now pledged to take significant action to tackle bullying and take better care of pupils’ mental health.
The damage caused by bullying is a prime example of the power of words. The book of Proverbs teaches us never to take lightly the influence of words, for “death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). What we say can uplift or crush another. In the worst case, cruel words can become a contributing factor to literal death.
How can we give life with the words we speak? Scripture teaches that our words come either from wisdom or from foolishness (Prov. 15:2). We find wisdom by drawing close to God, the source of life-giving wisdom (Prov. 3:13, 17-19).
We must take our words seriously and care and protect those who have been wronged by others. Harsh words can kill, but kind words can heal, becoming a “tree of life” (Prov. 15:4) to those around us.
When have you witnessed careless words causing harm? How can you show God’s mercy through what you say?
Loving God, please help me to never take words lightly. Teach me to rely on You and to speak only what brings life.
Author: Monica La Rose
