“He has the depths of the earth in His hand.” — Psalm 94:4
Krubera Voronya in Georgia is one of the deepest caves discovered so far on planet Earth. A team of researchers descended into the dark and scary labyrinths of a vertical cave, the depth of which reaches 2197 meters! There are about four hundred similar caves in other regions of the country and around the world. With the opening of new caves, new depths are recorded.
The mysteries of creation continue to unfold, deepening our understanding of the universe in which we live and awe-inspiring the infinite creativity of God in creating the earth we are to care for (Gen. 1:26-28). The psalmist calls us to joyfully glorify God’s majesty (Ps. 94:1). So, let’s reflect on God’s incredible work of creating everything visible and invisible. All that is in the world, whether revealed or not, prompts us to bow down in worship to God (v. 6).
He knows not only the boundless physical spaces of the universe, but also the secret depths of our hearts. Sometimes, as in the caves of Georgia, we have to go through dark and perhaps dangerous periods in life. However, we know that God keeps even those difficult times under His strong yet caring control. In the words of the psalmist, we are God’s people, “the flock of His hands” (v. 7).
How has God brought you through dark times in your life? In what place or in what way does He call you to trust Him?
God, help me to rely on Your care even in the darkest places!
“Forgetting what is behind and hastening to what is ahead, I chase.” — Philippians 3:13-14
While jogging in the forest, I tried to cut short and ran along an unfamiliar path. Wondering if I had suddenly gotten lost, I asked a runner running the other way if I was on the right track.
“Yes,” he answered confidently. However, seeing my confused look, he quickly added, “Don’t worry, I’ve already tried all the wrong ways! It’s okay, it’s part of running too.”
What a wonderful description of a spiritual journey! How many times have I drifted away from God, succumbing to temptation and being distracted by secondary things? However, God forgave me each time and helped me to move on, knowing that I would stumble again. God knows our tendency to go astray. However, He is always ready to forgive if we confess our sins and allow His Spirit to change us.
The apostle Paul also knew that all of this is part of the journey of faith. Fully aware of his own sinful past and present shortcomings, he still had to strive for Christlikeness (Phil. 3:12). “But only,” he added, “forgetting what is behind and hastening to what is ahead, I rush to the goal” (vv. 13-14). Stumbling is part of our journey with God; it is through our mistakes that He perfects us. His grace helps us, forgiven children, to persevere.
What mistakes can you confess to God today? How does His assurance of forgiveness help you persevere in your journey of faith?
God, thank you for your mercy. Help me to lead a life that pleases You, knowing that Your Spirit is working to make me like Your Son.
“But for whom do I care and deprive my soul of good?” — Ecclesiastes 4:8
In today’s world, more and more people feel lonely. Since 1990, the number of friendless Americans has quadrupled. In some European countries, the percentage of those who feel lonely has increased to 20, and in Japan, elderly people even resorted to committing crimes in order to have friends at least in prison.
To overcome the epidemic of loneliness, entrepreneurs invented a “solution” – renting a friend. A friend “rented” for an hour will meet you in a cafe to chat or accompany you to a party. One of such “friends” was asked who mostly orders such a service. “Single professionals from 30 to 40 years old who work a lot and don’t have time for friendly relations,” he answered.
In the 4th chapter of the book of Ecclesiastes, a person is described who is completely alone, without “son or brother”. And “there is no end” to her tireless work, however, the achieved success does not bring satisfaction (v. 8). “But for whom do I care?” she asks. It is much better to invest in relationships that will lighten the workload and provide support during times of difficulty (vv. 9-12). Because, after all, success without friendship is “vanity” (v. 8).
Ecclesiastes says that “the triple thread is not soon broken” (v. 12). However, it does not weave quickly. Since you don’t rent true friends, let’s invest time in developing friendships in which God is the third thread that holds us together.
How do you invest time in your friendships and make efforts to develop them? Who can you invite to your circle of friends?
Heavenly Father, help me to be a kind and faithful friend to others.
“I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them.” — Jeremiah 32:42
Sara lost her mother when she was just fourteen years old. She and her siblings lost their house soon after and became homeless. Years later, Sara wanted to provide her future children with an inheritance that could be passed down from generation to generation. She worked hard to purchase a house, giving her family the stable home she never had.
Investing in a home for future generations is an act of faith toward a future you don’t yet see. God told the prophet Jeremiah to purchase land just before the violent siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (Jeremiah 32:6–12). To the prophet, God’s instructions didn’t make a lot of sense. Soon all their property and belongings would be confiscated.
But God gave Jeremiah this promise: “As I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will give them all the prosperity I have promised them” (v. 42). The prophet’s investment in property was a physical sign of God’s faithfulness to someday restore the Israelites to their homeland. Even in the midst of a terrible attack, God promised His people that peace would come again—homes and property would be bought and sold again (vv. 43–44).
Today we can put our trust in God’s faithfulness and choose to “invest” in faith. Although we may not see an earthly restoration of every situation, we have the assurance that He’ll someday make everything right.
Reflect & Pray
What causes you to lose sight of God’s faithfulness? How can you “invest” in light of the restoration He promises?
Dear God, help me to invest today for the future I can’t yet see.
When our congregation built the first church building, people wrote words of thanks on the bare walls and concrete floor before the interior of the building was finished. If you remove the plasterboard from the walls, you will see these inscriptions there. We left there Bible verses and prayers of thanks, for example: “You are very good!” We left them as evidence for future generations that despite all the difficulties, God was good and cared about us.
We need to remember what God has done for us and tell others about it. The prophet Isaiah gave an example, writing: “I will remember the favors of the Lord, the praises of the Lord for all that the Lord has done for us” (Is. 63:7). Subsequently, the prophet mentions the manifestation of God’s compassion for His people throughout history, even saying that “in all their oppression He was also distressed” (v. 9). However, as you read the chapter further, you will notice that Israel is again in trouble, and the prophet pleads with God to intervene.
Memories of God’s goodness in the past help in a difficult period of life. Difficulties come and go, but God’s faithfulness remains the same. Turning to God with gratitude for all that He has done, we will again realize that He is worthy of our praise.
What kindness has God shown you in the past? How does praising Him for this kindness help you get through a difficult time?
Heavenly Father, You rule over all creation. I praise You because Your goodness is unchanging and You are always with me.
? 04/16/2023 10:01 a.m. #broadcast “Almost Like Jonah” has started on the Church of God’s Glory channel | Pastor Oleksandr Koltukov 04/16/2023: https://youtu.be/kAub1u8kyW0
“No one has greater love than the one who would lay down his life for his friends.” —John 15:13
Just a few days before Easter week, when Christians around the world remember the sacrifice of Jesus and celebrate his resurrection, a terrorist broke into a supermarket in southwestern France, opened fire and killed two people. After negotiations, the terrorist released all the hostages except one woman, using her as a cover for himself. Aware of the danger, police officer Arno Beltrame did the unthinkable. He voluntarily exchanged the hostage for himself. The criminal let the woman go, but Beltram was wounded during the fight and later died.
A minister who knew the police officer attributed his heroism to his faith in Jesus, pointing to the words of John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Christ spoke these words to the disciples after their last meal together. He urged His friends: “That you love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). The greatest manifestation of love is the sacrifice of one’s life for the sake of another (v. 13). This is exactly what Jesus did when he went to the cross for our salvation from sin. Only He could do that.
We may never have to emulate the heroism of Arnaud Beltrame. However, being in God’s love, we can serve others, sacrificing our plans and desires for the sake of witnessing His great love.
How do you react to stories like Arnaud Beltrame’s? How can you sacrificially serve someone today?
Dear Jesus, You died to give me eternal life. Help me live with gratitude for this gift and share it with those whom You send on my path.
“And be kind and merciful to one another, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
As a child, my sister and I often had conflicts, but I still remember one moment. After another portion of insulting words that we shouted at each other, my sister said something that at that moment seemed unforgivable. Watching the enmity between us grow, my grandmother reminded us of our duty to love one another. “God has given each of you one sister in life. And you should show a little leniency to each other,” she said. When we asked God to fill us with love and understanding, He helped us to realize how we had offended each other and to forgive.
It is very easy to hold on to bitterness and anger, but God desires for us a peace that can only come when we ask Him to help us let go of resentment (Eph. 4:31). Instead of hiding these feelings, let’s look at Christ’s example of forgiveness, the source of which is love and grace, the desire to be kind and merciful, “forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven [us]” (v. 32). If it is difficult for us to forgive, let us remember the grace that He shows us every day. No matter how many times we fall, His mercy never ends (Lamentations 3:22). God can help us get rid of bitterness in our hearts so that we can live in hope and accept His love.
When did someone offend you? What did you learn from that incident?
Heavenly Father, thank you for the people you have brought into my life. Help me to show love and forgiveness.
“Let him do to me what is good in his eyes.” — 2 Samuel 15:26
Nothing in life came easy to Christina Rossetti, poet and writer. She suffered from depression and various illnesses throughout her life and went through three breakups. She eventually died of cancer.
David entered the national consciousness of Israel as a victorious warrior. At the same time, he experienced difficulties all his life. At the end of David’s reign, his son opposed him; David’s trusted advisor and most of the country’s residents joined his rebellion (2 Sam. 15:1-12). Therefore, David took the priests Eviathar and Zadok and the sacred ark of God and fled from Jerusalem (vv. 14, 24).
However, after Abiathar offered a burnt offering to God, David said to the priest: “Bring the ark of God back to the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, and He brings me back, then I will see Him and His dwelling” (v. 25). Despite the uncertainty, David said: “And if [God] says this: I do not want you… let him do to me as is good in his eyes” (v. 26). He knew he could trust God.
Christina Rossetti also trusted God, and her life ended in hope. The road may indeed go downhill all the time, but it leads to the Heavenly Father, who awaits us with open arms.
How did it seem to you that the road of life went downhill? How to rely on God’s guidance on the road you are on?
Dear God, life seems so hard sometimes. However, I believe that You are doing everything right for me and for others. Help me to live in Your hope, waiting for the day when I will be with You.
“Sing to the Lord, His saints, and glorify the memory of His sanctuary.” — Psalm 29:5
Many years ago I took care of my mother while she was in hospice. I am grateful to God for the four months that He allowed me to serve her, and I asked Him to help me through the path of grief. It was often difficult for me to praise God while I was in emotional turmoil. When my mother took her last breath, I was overcome with strong sobs, and I whispered: “Hallelujah.” For a long time I felt guilty for praising God in that devastating moment, until years later I looked closely at Psalm 29.
In the “Song of Consecration of the House” David glorified God for His faithfulness and mercy (vv. 2-4). He called others: “Sing to the Lord” (v. 5). Then David looked at how God closely intertwines difficulties and hope (v. 6). He recognized that there are times of sorrow and joy, times of feeling safe and confused (vv. 7-8). His pleas for help are permeated with confidence in God (vv. 8-11). The echo of this praise is heard in the moment of crying and joy, grief and joy (v. 12). After all, David speaks of his undying devotion to God (v. 13).
We, like David, can sing: “Lord, my God, I will praise You forever!” (v. 13). God, in whatever condition we are, can help us express our trust in Him and lead us to worship Him with joyful shouts and tears of praise.
How has God helped you to trust Him even in the face of your emotional turmoil? How to praise Him in times of difficulty?
Dear God, please help me to trust You and praise You as I try to deal with my emotions.
![«Ибо [только] Я знаю намерения, какие имею о вас, говорит Господь, намерения во благо, а не на зло, чтобы дать вам будущность и надежду». (Иеремия 29:11)](https://glory.com.ua/wp-content/gallery/bible-verse-of-the-day/15747633_1375106259175442_6251451304579120409_n.jpg?t=1560167062 "«Ибо [только] Я знаю намерения, какие имею о вас, говорит Господь, намерения во благо, а не на зло, чтобы дать вам будущность и надежду». (Иеремия 29:11)")