“I lie down and sleep and wake up because the Lord supports me.” — Psalm 3:6
Bad memories and remorse filled Sel’s mind. Fear filled the heart, and sweat stood out on the forehead. It was the night before his baptism, and he could not stop the onslaught of dark thoughts. Sel received salvation in Jesus and knew that his sins were forgiven, but the spiritual battle continued. Then his wife took his hand and prayed for him. In a moment, fear was replaced by peace in Sel’s heart. He stood up and wrote the words he wanted to share before his baptism, something he hadn’t been able to do before. After writing the text, he fell into a sweet sleep.
King David also knew what a restless night was like. Fleeing from his son Absalom, who wanted to seize his throne (2 Sam. 15-17), he knew that “ten thousand people…camped around [him]” (Ps. 3:7). David said with a groan: “How many are my enemies” (v. 2). Despite fear and doubts, he called out to God, to his “shield” (v. 4). However, later David realized and said: “I lie down and sleep… because the Lord supports me” (v. 6).
When fears and difficulties grip our minds, and rest turns to restlessness, we renew our hope if we turn to God in prayer. Even if we don’t immediately fall into a sweet sleep like Sel and David, in peace we will lie down and sleep… and live safely. God is with us and He will be our rest.
What oppresses your heart and mind? How to bring this burden to God in prayer?
Dear God, thank you that when I come to you in prayer, you fill my heart with hope and peace.
Author: Tom Felten
“He is the first of all, and all things stand by Him.” — Colossians 1:17
According to Discover magazine, there are about 700 quintillion (that’s the number 7 with 20 zeros) planets in the universe, but none of them are Earth-like. Astrophysicist Erik Zakrisson says that one of the requirements for a planet that can support life is that it orbit in a “golden zone” with the right temperature and possibility for water to exist. Of the 700 quintillion planets, Earth is the only planet where conditions are exactly like this. Zakrisson concluded that the planet Earth was somehow “very lucky”.
The Apostle Paul assured the believers in Colossae that the universe exists not because of “lady luck”, but because of the work of Jesus. The apostle presents Christ as the Creator of the world: “For by Him all things were created” (Col. 1:16). Jesus is not only the mighty Creator of the world, but also “by Him all things stand” (v. 17). It keeps the world at the proper temperature necessary for human existence. Jesus sustains the world by displaying perfect wisdom and infinite power.
Enjoying the beauty of the world and living in the midst of this beauty, let us pay attention not to a random coincidence of circumstances, but to the purposeful, sovereign, powerful and loving activity of the Lord Jesus Christ, in whom “all [God’s] fullness” is (v. 19).
What does it mean to you to know that Jesus is in control of the natural world and your personal world? What is your dependence on Him?
Dear Jesus, thank you for lovingly and wisely creating this world and sustaining it.
Author: Marvin Williams
“Two are better than one… and if they fall, one will pick up its friend.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Søren Solker has spent years photographing starlings and the fascinating spectacle of hundreds of thousands of birds moving smoothly through the sky as one unit. To observe this miracle is like sitting under a raging wave or under a massive brushstroke flowing into a kaleidoscope of patterns. In Denmark, this phenomenon is called the “black sun” (this is also the name of a stunning book with Solker’s photographs). The most impressive thing is how starlings instinctively follow their closest mate, flying so close that if one of them misses a beat, it will lead to mass disaster. However, starlings use murmurs to protect each other. When a hawk descends, these tiny creatures form a tight formation and move collectively, fending off a predator that could easily grab them if they were alone.
Together is better than alone. Ecclesiastes says: “Two are better than one… and if they fall, one will lift up his friend… Also, when two lie down, they will be warm” (Eccl. 4:9-11). Alone, we can become easy prey. We are vulnerable without the comfort and protection of other people.
However, with comrades we give and receive help. Ecclesiastes says: “And if someone attacks one, they will stand against him together, and the triple thread will not soon break” (v. 12). Together is better under God’s guidance.
Why are you more vulnerable when separated from each other? How do you approach others?
Dear God, please help me to be in community and show Your love.
Author: Wynn Collier
“You are no longer strangers and strangers, but fellow citizens of the saints, and at home for God.” — Ephesians 2:19
In the book All Sad is Untrue, Daniel Nyeri describes his harrowing escape with his mother and sister from persecution through a refugee camp to safety in the United States. The elderly couple agreed to take them under their care, although they did not know them. Years have passed, but Daniel still can’t come to his senses. He writes: “Can you believe it? They did it completely blindly. They never even saw us. If we turned out to be villains, they would have to pay for it. I can’t even imagine a more courageous, kind and desperate act.”
However, God wants us to show the same level of concern for others. He commanded Israel to be kind to foreigners. “You will love him as yourself, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Lev. 19:34). The Apostle Paul reminds the Gentiles who believe in Christ, that is, you and me, that once we “were without Christ… strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). Therefore, He commands all of us, former foreigners, Jews and Gentiles: “Do not forget to love the newcomers” (Heb. 13:2).
Now living with her own family, Daniel praises Jim and Jean Dosan, “who were true Christians in allowing a refugee family to live with them until they could find their own home.”
God welcomes strangers and encourages us to do the same.
Who is the outsider in your world? How do you invite these people into your space?
Lord Jesus, show me a stranger whom You want me to show love to.
Author: Mike Whittmer
“Clothe yourself… in sincere charity.” — Colossians 3:12
How does a person feel when they walk in the shoes of members of the royal family? Angela Kelly, the daughter of a longshoreman and a nurse, knows this first hand. She was the late Queen Elizabeth’s official wardrobe during the last two decades of the monarch’s life. One of her duties was to carry new shoes for the late queen as she walked around the palace in them. There was a reason for this: compassion for an elderly woman who sometimes had to stand for a long time at ceremonies. Because they wore the same shoe size, Kelly was able to save the queen from discomfort.
Kelly’s personal approach to Queen Elizabeth reminded me of the apostle Paul’s warm encouragement to the church in Colossae: “Clothe yourselves…with sincere charity, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12). If our lives are “built on” Jesus (Col. 2:7), we become “like God’s chosen, holy and beloved” (Col. 3:12). He helps us to put off the “old man” and “put on the new man” (vv. 9-10), to become those who love and forgive others, because God loved and forgave us (vv. 13-14).
All around us are those who need us to show them compassion in the daily difficulties of life. If we do this, then we are walking in the shoes of the King, Jesus, who always shows us compassion.
How has God shown you compassion? Who can you show His love to today?
Lord Jesus, thank you for your forgiveness and love. Help me not only to receive them from You, but also to give them to others.
Author: James Banks
“I have not closed the door to you.” —Revelation 3:8
When I moved to a new school near a big city, the head teacher assigned me to the lowest-performing English class. Before that, I worked at an inner-city school with great test scores, excellent grades, and even a principal’s writing award. However, the door to the “best” literature class in the new school was closed to me, because the headmaster decided that I was not suitable and not ready.
The church in ancient Philadelphia would have fully understood such failures. A small and modest community; her city has experienced earthquakes in recent years that have left behind great destruction. In addition, believers faced satanic opposition (Rev. 3:9). Such a neglected church had “little…power”, however, the resurrected Jesus said: “You have kept My Word, and you have not turned away from My Name” (v. 8). That is why God “did not close the door” to the church (v. 8). Indeed, “what He opens, no one will shut, what He shuts, no one will open” (v. 7).
The same applies to efforts in service. Some doors do not open. At the same time, God really opened the door for my literary activity for Him, allowing it to reach an international audience. A closed door will not hinder you, because Jesus said: “I am the door” (Jn. 10:9). So let us enter the door He opens and follow Him.
What doors has God opened for you? How is your ministry and life thriving while you wait for Him to open the door?
Dear God, if the door is closed to me, help me to turn to You and follow You.
Author: Patricia Raybon
“How long, Lord, will you forget me forever?” — Psalm 12:2
Great Britain is “full” of history. Everywhere you go, there are plaques commemorating historical figures and important events. At the same time, one of these monuments reflects the British sense of humor. A weathered memorial plaque near a small hotel in the town of Sandwich reads: “Nothing happened on this spot on September 5, 1782.”
Sometimes it seems to us that nothing happens after our prayers. We pray and pray, bringing our requests to Heavenly Father in the expectation that He will answer right now. The psalmist David expressed the same frustration when he prayed, “How long, O Lord, will you forget me forever, how long will you hide your face from me?” (Ps. 12:2). We may also have thoughts: “Lord, how long will we have to wait for You to answer?”
However, God is perfect not only in His wisdom, but also in terms of time. David was able to say: “I trust in Your mercy, my heart rejoices in Your salvation!” (v. 6). The book of Ecclesiastes 3:11 says: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” The word pregarny means “beautiful” or “pleasant”. God does not always answer prayers when we want him to, but He is always working to bring about His wise purposes. Therefore, let us not doubt that His answer will come exactly when it is right, good and beautiful.
When you prayed for something, did it seem like God ignored your requests? What did you learn while waiting?
Loving God, please help me to show in prayer the patience born of trust in You.
Author: Bill Crowder
“Always rejoice! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks for everything, because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
A colleague of mine once shared how her prayer life had improved because of our manager. I was amazed, thinking that perhaps our difficult leader shared some spiritual truths with her and influenced the way she prayed. However, I was wrong. My friend continued to explain, “Every time I see him coming, I start praying.” Her prayer life improved because she prayed more before every conversation with him. She knew that she needed God’s help in a difficult work relationship with her supervisor, so she began to turn to the Lord more.
I also adopted my colleague’s custom of praying in difficult times and during communication. This is also a biblical practice, which is mentioned in the 1st Epistle to the Thessalonians, where the Apostle Paul reminds Christians: “Pray without ceasing! Give thanks for everything” (1 Thess. 5:17-18). In all circumstances, prayer is always the best practice. It maintains our connection with God and invites His Spirit to guide us (Gal. 5:16). It helps us live in peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:13), even in the face of conflict.
Thanks to God’s help, we can rejoice in Him, pray for everything and give thanks often. All this will help us live in even greater harmony with our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
What relationships do you need to pray about more often? How does prayer help us follow God’s guidance and not be guided by human inclinations?
Heavenly Father, please help me to pray constantly in the pursuit of a harmonious life with other people.
Author: Katara Patton
“Before the mountains were born… from time immemorial and forever – You are God!” — Psalm 89:2
After another health problem, I felt fear of the unknown and uncontrollable. Once, while reading an article in the magazine “Forbes”, I learned that scientists had studied the increase in the “speed of rotation of the Earth” and declared that the Earth had “wobbled” and was “rotating faster.” They said that we “may need, for the first time in history, a second drop, that is, the official removal of a second from world time.” While a second doesn’t seem like much of a waste, realizing that the Earth’s rotation could change seemed like a big deal to me. Even a little instability can shake my faith. However, knowing that God is in control helps me to trust Him no matter how scary or shaky our circumstances may be.
In Psalm 89, Moses said: “Before the mountains were born, and while you created the earth and the world, you are God forever and ever!” (v. 2). Realizing God’s unlimited power, control, and authority over the entire world, Moses said that time cannot limit God (vv. 3-6).
As we seek to learn more about the Lord and the wonderful world He has created, we learn that He is still in perfect control of time and all creation. God can be trusted in everything that is unknown or new to us in life. All creation remains safe in God’s loving hands.
How does understanding that God is in control of time and all of creation help you trust Him when you face the unknown in life? How can you glorify God with the time He has given you?
Immutable Creator, thank you for keeping every second of my life in Your safe hands.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
“My strength is exercised in weakness.” — 2 Cor. 12:9
As a child, I considered adults to be wise and infallible. “They always know what to do. One day, when I become an adult, I will always know what to do too,” I thought. Well, that “day” came many years ago, but I still often don’t know what to do. Be it illness in the family, be it problems at work, be it conflict in a relationship – such moments shatter all illusions of personal control and power. And I have only one option left – to close my eyes and whisper: “Lord, help.”
The apostle Paul understood this feeling of helplessness. The “thorn” in his body, which could have been a physical ailment, caused him a lot of frustration and pain. However, it was through her that Paul felt God’s love, His promises and blessings, which are quite sufficient to endure and overcome his difficulties (2 Cor. 12:9). He realized that personal weakness and helplessness do not mean defeat. If they trust God, they become instruments for His work in these circumstances (vv. 9-10).
Just because we’re adults doesn’t really mean we know everything. Of course, we grow wiser with age, but our weaknesses often reveal how powerless we really are. Our real strength is in Christ: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (v. 10). To truly grow is to know, trust, and submit to the power that comes when we realize that we need God’s help.
What difficulties forced you to admit your own helplessness? How to obey God’s guidance?
Heavenly Father, thank you for being my help and strength.
Author: Karen Huang
