“And he put eternity in their hearts.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11
Monica hesitated. She had friends who believed in Jesus, and she respected the way they dealt with life’s challenges. She was even a little jealous of them. However, Monica believed that she could not live like them, because she thought that faith in Christ consisted in following the rules. In the end, a fellow student helped her understand that God does not want to ruin her life, on the contrary – He wants the best for her, despite her ups and downs. Realizing this, Monica was ready to trust Jesus as her Savior and accepted the wonderful truth about God’s love for her.
King Solomon expresses similar thoughts in the book of Ecclesiastes. He recognized that in this world there are sorrows and “for everything there is a time” (Eccl. 3:1). “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to sob and a time to dance” (v. 4). However, there is something more. God “put eternity in [people’s] hearts” (v. 11). Eternity means living in His presence.
Trusting in Jesus Christ, Monica received life, and received it “in abundance” (Jn. 10:10). At the same time, she received much more! Thanks to faith, “eternity” in her heart (Eccl. 3:11) became the promise of a future without any suffering in life (Isa. 65:17), a future in the glorious presence of God.
How have you experienced the fullness of life that Jesus offers? What are you thankful for in your life with Him?
Dear Jesus, Solomon was right. Life is changeable. Thank you for making this life worthwhile and worthwhile. And thank you for the eternal joys that lie ahead.
The sound of the drill scared the five-year-old Sarah. She jumped out of the dental chair and refused to go back. Then the dentist said to her father: “Please sit in the chair.” Jason thought he wanted to show his daughter how easy it was. But then the doctor turned to the girl and said: “Now sit on daddy’s lap.” When her father held her close, Sarah completely relaxed and the dentist was able to continue working.
Jason learned a wonderful lesson that day about the comforting presence of Heavenly Father. “Sometimes God chooses not to take on Himself what we have to go through,” said Jason. “But the Lord showed me, ‘I will be with you.'”
Psalm 90 speaks of God’s comforting presence and strength to help us overcome our trials. The realization that we can rest in His strong arms gives us great confidence, as does God’s promise to those who love Him: “If he calls to Me, I will answer him, I will be with him in adversity” (v. 15).
There are many inevitable challenges and trials in life, and we have to go through pain and suffering. However, in God’s comforting arms, we can endure our crises and life circumstances and allow Him to strengthen our faith through it.
What trials are you going through now? How to remind ourselves that God is always with us?
Merciful Father, thank you for your comforting presence in my circumstances. Please help me get through them, knowing that You are always with me.
“The gatekeeper opens to him, and the sheep listen to his voice.” — John 10:3
Baby Graham fussed and whimpered on his mother’s lap as doctors fitted him with his first hearing aid. Graham stopped crying moments after the doctor turned on the device. His eyes widened and he smiled as he heard his mother’s voice soothing him, encouraging him and calling his name.
Baby Graham could hear his mother talking to him, but he needed help learning to recognize her voice and understand the meaning of her words. The Lord Jesus invites people to such a learning process. Having accepted Christ as our Savior, we become sheep whom He knows well and whom He directs personally (Jn. 10:3). We can grow in trust and obedience to Him by listening to His voice (v. 4).
In the Old Testament, God spoke through prophets. In the New Testament, Jesus, God incarnate, spoke directly to people. Christians today have access to the power of the Holy Spirit, who helps us understand and obey God’s words, which He inspired and preserved in the Bible. We can communicate directly with Jesus through our prayers, and He speaks to us through the Holy Scriptures and through His people. When we learn to recognize God’s voice, which always corresponds to His words in the Bible, then we will be able to shout with grateful praise: “I hear You, God!”
How has God revealed Himself to you through the Scriptures this week? How to announce His wisdom to those who need comfort and encouragement today?
I hear You, God! Please help me to receive and share the truth and love that You reveal to me when I read the Bible.
“He will come down like rain, like drops that water the earth.” — Psalm 71:6
In July 2022, the Prime Minister of Great Britain was forced out of office after what many believed to be a breach of integrity (the newly appointed Prime Minister also resigned after just a few months!). This event was caused by the fact that the Minister of Health, having taken part in the annual prayer breakfast in Parliament, felt an inner conviction of the need to maintain integrity in public life and resigned. When other ministers also submitted their resignations, the prime minister realized that he too had to leave. It was a significant event, the beginning of which was laid at a prayer meeting.
Christians are called to pray for their political leaders (1 Tim. 2:1-2), and Psalm 71 is a good guide for this, being both a description of the ruler’s job and a prayer to help him do that job. The psalm describes an ideal leader (vv. 1-2) who protects the vulnerable (vv. 4), serves the needy (vv. 12-13), and opposes violence (v. 14). The time of such a leader in office is so refreshing that it seems as if it is the rains that “irrigate the earth” and bring it prosperity (vv. 3, 7, 16). Although only the Messiah can fulfill this role perfectly (v. 11).
The health of a country depends on the integrity of its rulers. Let’s look for the “leaders of Psalm 71” for our peoples and, praying for them, let’s help them to embody in life those traits that are spoken about in the psalm.
What traits do you want to see in a leader? How often do you pray for local and national leaders?
Heavenly Father, please help our leaders to be fair, honest and good people.
“Let us not abandon our congregation, as is the custom of some, but let us be encouraged.” — Hebrews 10:25
When I was in emotional and spiritual pain for a long time due to difficult life circumstances, it was easy for me to leave the church. Sometimes I really thought: “Why all this?” But I felt that I should continue to attend church every Sunday.
Although the circumstances remained the same for many years, worship and fellowship with other believers at worship services, prayer meetings, and small Bible study groups gave me the support I needed to persevere and not lose hope. Often, I received not only verbal encouragement, but also the comfort, listening, and hugs I needed from others.
In the Epistle to the Hebrews it is said: “Let us not forsake our congregation, as is the custom of some, but let us be encouraged, and all the more so as you see that day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). The author knew that in the case of life’s difficulties, we will need encouragement from others, just as others will need it from us. Therefore, the author reminded the readers of the need to keep “an unshakable confession of hope” and to encourage one another “to love and to good deeds” (vv. 23-24). And this is an essential component of encouragement. That is why God encourages us to continue meeting together. Someone needs your loving support, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you get in return.
When did you feel inspired after the service? For what reason? Who needs your support and encouragement?
Loving God, help me not to miss joint meetings with other believers, but to be filled with Your peace and love all together.
“He is not here, because he has risen, as he said. Come, look at the place where he was.” — Matthew 28:6
Before entering Cambridge University, Charles Simeon loved horses and clothes, spending huge sums of money each year on his outfit. However, as his studies required him to attend religious services regularly, he began to investigate what he believed. After reading books written by believers in Jesus Christ, he experienced an amazing conversion on Easter Sunday. Waking up early in the morning on April 4, 1779, he exclaimed: “Jesus Christ is risen! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!” Growing in faith in God, he devoted himself to Bible study, prayer, and attending chapel services.
On the first Easter, the lives of two women who came to the tomb of Jesus changed. They witnessed a great earthquake when the angel rolled away the stone. He told them: “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for the crucified Jesus. He is not here, because he has risen, as he said” (Mt. 28:5-6). Filled with joy, the women bowed to Jesus and ran back to tell their friends the good news.
The meeting with the resurrected Christ was not intended only for ancient times. He promises to meet us here and now. We can experience an extraordinary encounter, like the women at the tomb or like Charles Simeon. In whatever way Jesus reveals Himself to us, we can trust that He loves us.
How has God revealed Himself to you? How has your life changed since meeting Him?
Risen Jesus, thank You for coming and dying on the cross so that I may have eternal life. I worship You!
“He was punished for our peace, but with His wounds we are healed!” — Isaiah 53:5
Before James Caviezel played the role of Jesus in the film “The Passion of the Christ”, director Mel Gibson warned that the work would be extremely difficult and could negatively affect his career in Hollywood. Caviezel took on the role anyway, saying, “I think we should do it, even if it’s going to be difficult.”
During filming, Kevizel was struck by lightning, lost 20 kilograms, and was accidentally whipped during a whipping scene. After filming ended, he stated, “I didn’t want people to see me. I just wanted them to see Jesus. Because of that, conversion will happen.” The film had a profound effect on Kevizel himself and on the other participants of the filming, and only God knows how many of the millions of people who watched it changed their lives.
The Passion of the Christ is the time of Jesus’ greatest suffering, beginning with His glorious entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and ending with betrayal, mockery, scourging and crucifixion. Stories about this are contained in all four Gospels.
In the 53rd chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, His sufferings and their consequences are prophesied: “He was wounded for our sins, He was tormented for our transgressions, His punishment was for our peace, and with His wounds we are healed” (v. 5). “All of us have gone astray like those sheep” (v. 6). Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can have peace with God. His suffering made it possible for us to be with God.
What aspect of Christ’s life has the greatest impact on you? How does His suffering affect you?
Dear Savior, it is difficult to express how grateful I am that You suffered, died and rose again for me. Thank you!
“For Christ also suffered once for our sins, to bring us to God, the Righteous for the unrighteous, though dead in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” — 1 Peter 3:18
A wealthy twenty-year-old was drag racing with his friends and hit a pedestrian to death. Although the young man received three years in prison, some believe that the man who appeared in court (and who later served his sentence) was a hired “surrogate” for the driver who committed the crime. Similar things happen in some countries where people hire doppelgangers to avoid being held accountable for their crimes.
It may seem scandalous and outrageous, but more than two thousand years ago, Jesus became our substitute and “suffered for our sins… The righteous for the unrighteous” (1 Pet. 3:18). Having become God’s sinless sacrifice, Christ suffered and died once and for all (Heb. 10:10) for all who believe in Him. By His death on the cross, He bore the penalty for all our sins. Unlike the man who decided to take the place of a criminal in order to get some money, Christ’s substitutionary death gave us hope because He willingly gave His life for us (1 Peter 3:15, 18; John 10:15). The Lord Jesus did this to close the gap between us and God.
Let us rejoice, be comforted and reassure ourselves in this deep truth. Only through the vicarious death of Jesus can we needy sinners have a relationship with our loving God and full spiritual access to Him.
How has Christ’s substitutionary death changed your life? What does it mean to you to have access to God and eternal life through His death on the cross?
Dear Jesus, thank You for dying in my place so that I could have access to God.
“I give you a new commandment: Love one another!” —John 13:34
In a tradition that dates back to the thirteenth century, members of the royal family in Great Britain distribute gifts to the needy on Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday. This custom is rooted in the meaning of the word “pure”, which comes from the Latin mandatum, “order”. This is the fulfillment of the new commandment that Jesus gave to His friends on the night before his death: “Love one another! As I have loved you, so you also love one another” (Jn. 13:34).
The Lord Jesus was a leader who assumed the role of a servant by washing the feet of His disciples (v. 5). Then He called them to follow His example: “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (v. 15). Ultimately, He gave His life by dying on the cross (John 19:30). Because of His love and mercy, He gave Himself so that we could have the fullness of life.
The tradition of the British royal family to serve people in need continues as a symbol of following the great example of Jesus Christ. We may not have been born into a privileged place, but if we trust Jesus, we become members of His family. And we can also show our love by obeying His new commandment. Relying on God’s Spirit, Who changes us from the inside, we can reach out to others with care, support and grace.
Have you met leaders who serve others? How can you love one another today?
My Savior, how great is the gift of love given by You! Thank you for becoming a perfect Servant and giving your life for me.
Who knows whether it is not at such a time as this that you have attained royal dignity?
Who can I turn to now for help? Who can stop the war and is it even possible to do it? Who has the last word in what is happening today? There is an interesting book in the Bible that contains many analogies to what we see today. This is the book of Esther. In it, we read about the beginning of a miracle in the history of the people of Israel, but this was not visible at all at the beginning:
“…then in response, Mordecai ordered the following words to be delivered to Esther: Do not think that you, one of all the Jews, will be saved in the royal palace! After all, if you remain silent at such a time, then salvation and help for the Jews will come from another place, and you and your father’s family will perish. Besides, who knows whether it is not for such a time as this that you have achieved royal dignity?!
Go, gather all the Jews who are in Susa, and proclaim a fast for me – for three days do not eat or drink, neither night nor day; I, too, with my maids, will fast in the same way, after which I will go to the king, although this is also contrary to the law. So if I must die, I will die!” (ESTHER 4:13-14, 16 CUV)
What did you pay attention to in this small fragment? I see that with any problem we are always looking for a person who can help us solve this problem. If we have a toothache, we go to the dentist, if we have a leaky faucet, we call a plumber. And if it is a matter of life and death, then who do you turn to? When it comes to our health, we turn to doctors, but in this story it was a matter of life and death for the entire nation of Israel. It seemed, who can help in such a situation? But it only seemed that way, in fact, Mordechai needed acquaintances. His adopted daughter Esther was married not to anyone, but to King Ahasuerus himself. What else is needed – talk with her, arrange for her to order a word from her husband and have the necessary decree in your pocket. But not everything was so simple, and this is exactly what we read about in this short text.
The first problem was that it had been a month since the husband stopped paying attention to his wife. Not only did he not communicate with her much, she did not see him at all for a month, despite the fact that they lived in the same palace. No matter what you think, it says something, and if it didn’t even lead to a divorce, then probably one of the many royal concubines was able to capture the king’s heart and he completely forgot about his wife. If you think that this looks somehow unnatural, then remember the fate of Esther’s predecessor, Queen Vashta.
What to do here? These thoughts were running through Esther’s head, but there was no answer to them. To go to the king without an invitation is to violate the established law and fall completely into disfavor, and this is another problem. Not to go is to betray your named father Mordechai and leave your people to die.
And it was here that Esther remembered something. She remembered not only that she is the king’s wife and, in fact, the queen, but that she is the daughter of the Heavenly King who has no reception hours and who can give a way out where there is none at first glance. What did Esther decide to do? Before going to talk to the king, she offers to pray for 3 days. To pray herself and also asks Mordecai for the prayer of consent. That he would support her in fasting and also the entire Israeli people. It was this decision that became decisive in this story. God, who has the last word, intervened and overturned the sentence against His people. But neither Esther nor Mordechai knew anything about it at that moment. They simply began to pray and slowly a miracle came to the prayer.
And so, the question that Mordecai asked Esther in these verses is relevant for us today:
“Who knows if it was not for such a time as this that you achieved royal dignity?!” Who knows if this is not why you are in church today? Who knows if this is not why you are a son or daughter of the Heavenly King today? Who knows…?
