“As the young man rejoices in his bride, so will your God rejoice in you.” — Isaiah 62:5
Brendan and Katie beamed as they looked at each other. Watching the genuine joy on their faces, you’d never guess that many of their wedding plans have been canceled due to the restrictions associated with COVID-19. Although only twenty-five family members were present at the wedding, the newlyweds radiated joy and peace as they said their vows, because they loved each other and were grateful for God’s love for them.
The image of the bridegroom and the bride rejoicing in each other is the image that the prophet Isaiah used to depict God’s joy and love for His people. In a beautiful poetic description of God’s promised salvation, Isaiah reminded readers that the salvation God offers brings comfort to the brokenhearted, joy to those who mourn, and provision for the needs of His people (Isa. 61:1-3). God will help the people, because He will “rejoice” with them, as the bridegroom and the bride rejoice in each other (Is. 62:5).
It is an amazing truth that God delights in us and wants to have a relationship with us. Even in spite of the difficulties we experience living in a sinful world, we have a God who loves us with an everlasting love (Ps. 135:1).
What images remind you of God’s love? How does His joyful love fill you with joy?
Loving God, thank you for delighting in me.
Author: Lisa Samra
“The Lord is with me – I am not afraid of anyone.” — Psalm 117:6
Many years ago, a friend told me how she was afraid to cross a street that had several other roads running through it. “I had never seen anything like it; the rules of crossing the street I had been taught didn’t seem effective. I was so scared that I just stood on the street corner, waited for the bus and asked the driver to help me cross the street. It took a long time before I learned how to successfully cross the street as a pedestrian and later as a driver.”
Coping with life’s difficulties is much more difficult than driving through a dangerous traffic junction. We do not know the life circumstances of the author of Psalm 117, but we understand that they were difficult and needed prayer. “I cried out to the Lord in my distress,” exclaimed the psalmist (v. 5). His confidence in God was unequivocal: “The Lord is with me – I am not afraid of anyone… The Lord is among those who help me” (vv. 6-7).
It is not surprising that we are afraid when we have to change jobs, schools or homes. Deteriorating health, problems in relationships and lack of money cause anxiety. However, these difficulties do not mean that God has abandoned us. If it is difficult for us, let us seek His presence in prayer.
What difficulties brought you closer to God? Who can you tell about how He has helped you?
Gracious Father, if I am struggling, please help me to trust You.
Author: Arthur Jackson
“This is written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” —John 20:31
When Doris Kearns Goodwin decided to write a book about Abraham Lincoln, she was frightened by the fact that about fourteen thousand books had already been written about America’s sixteenth president. What else could be said about the beloved leader? However, this did not stop Goodwin, and the result of her work was the book “A Team of Rivals: The Political Talent of Abraham Lincoln”. A fresh look at Lincoln’s leadership style made her book very popular.
Apostle John faced another problem when he wrote the story about the ministry and suffering of the Lord Jesus. In the final verse of the Gospel of John, it is said: “There are many other things that Jesus did. But I think that if I were to write about all that in particular about each one, the world itself would not contain the books that were written” (John 21:25). Ivan had more material than he could use!
Therefore, the strategy of the apostle John was to focus attention on only a few selected miracles (signs) that confirmed the statement of Jesus: “I am…”. This strategy also had an eternal purpose: “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, you may have life in His Name” (Jn. 20:31). Out of the multitude of evidences, John provided many reasons for believing in Jesus. Who can you tell about Him today?
What do you think of the biblical evidence for Jesus and His claims? What does believing in Him mean to you?
Heavenly Father, please strengthen my faith with strong evidence so that I can truly live for Jesus Christ.
Author: Bill Crowder
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, the first of whom is me.” — 1 Timothy 1:15
Recently, I was surprised to receive a gift from a friend. I didn’t think I deserved such a wonderful gift from her. She sent it when she found out I was stressed at work. Although she herself was under much more stress than I was, given the condition of her elderly parents, the difficult ages of her children, problems at work and a strained marital relationship. I just couldn’t believe that my friend thought more about me than about herself; her gift brought me to tears.
In reality, we are all recipients of a gift that we can never earn. Apostle Paul says: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first” (1 Tim. 1:15). Although he “was a blasphemer, and an oppressor, and an attacker… the grace of the Lord increased greatly in [him]” (vv. 13-14). The resurrected Jesus Christ gave Paul a deep understanding of the gift of grace. As a result, he learned what it means to be an undeserved recipient of this gift: he became a powerful instrument of God’s love and told many people about what God had done for him.
It is only through God’s grace that we receive love and not condemnation, mercy and not judgment. Let’s rejoice in the undeserved grace given by God and look for ways to show that grace to others.
How have you lost sight of the amazing gift of grace? How can grace motivate you again?
Dear God, help me to better understand what it means to show your gift of grace to others.
Author: Karen Pimpo
“He will say to the Lord: “My protection and my fortress, my God”, – I hope in Him.” — Psalm 90:2
One evening while jogging near a construction site in our area, I saw a thin and dirty kitten that purred piteously and ran after me to my house. Now Mickey is a healthy, beautiful adult cat who spends a comfortable life in our house. He is a favorite of our family. Every time I run down the road where I found the cat, I say, “Thank you, God. Mickey was saved from life on the streets. Now he has a home.”
In the 90th Psalm, it is said about those who “live under the protection of the Most High” (v. 1). The Hebrew term translated by the word “to live” means “to remain, to be constantly.” If we abide in God, He helps us to live with His wisdom and to love Him above all else (v. 14; John 15:10). God promises us the comfort of eternal life with Him and His constant presence with us in our difficulties of life. Despite any problems, we can rely on God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and love, and on His promises to protect and save us.
If God is our refuge, then we live “in the shadow of the Almighty” (Ps. 90:1). No calamity will touch us unless God, in His infinite wisdom and love, allows it. God is our safe home.
What does it mean to have a home in God? What will be your response to difficulties if you dwell in the shelter of the Most High?
Heavenly Father, thank you for the home I have in You.
Author: Karen Huang
“He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” —John 14:9
Leo was four months old, but he had never seen his parents. He was born with a rare disease that deprived him of his normal vision. For him, everything around was as if in a thick fog. So, doctors designed special glasses for him.
Leo’s father posted a video of his mother putting on his new glasses for the first time. Leo’s gaze slowly comes into focus, a wide smile spreading across his face as he truly sees his mother for the first time. Priceless. At that moment, little Leo could see clearly.
Apostle John describes the conversation of Jesus with His disciples. Philip asked Him: “Show us the Father” (John 14:8). Even after spending so much time together, the disciples still did not understand who Jesus was. In response, the Lord said: “Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me?” (v. 10). Before that, Jesus said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (v. 6). This is the sixth of Jesus’ seven “I” statements. He invites us to look at Him through the lens of these statements and see Who He really is – God.
We are similar to students in many ways. During the period of difficulties, our vision deteriorates. We cannot focus on what God has already done and can still do. When little Leo was fitted with glasses, he was able to see his parents clearly. Perhaps we too need to put on God’s glasses to see clearly Who Jesus really is.
What might cloud your view of Jesus? How to look at Him again with clear vision?
Lord Jesus, please help me to focus on You. Show me clearly Your way for me.
By: Kenneth Petersen (guest)
“When we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us.” — 1 John 1:9
Looking at the phone, I frowned and sighed. My friend and I had a serious disagreement about our children, and I knew I should have called back and apologized. I didn’t want to do it, because we still haven’t come to an agreement, but I knew that during our last conversation I was far from kind and humble.
While waiting for the call, I thought: “What if she doesn’t forgive me or doesn’t want to continue being friends?” I remembered the words of the song, which brought me back to the moment when I confessed my sin to God. I felt relieved because I knew that God had forgiven me and freed me from guilt.
We cannot control people’s reactions to our attempts to solve relationship problems. If we humbly ask for forgiveness and make the necessary changes, we allow God to heal the relationship. Even if we feel pain from unresolved problems in relationships with people, peace with God is always possible. God’s arms are open and He wants to show us the grace and mercy we need. “When we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
How does forgiveness create peace? With God’s help, what steps will you take this week to reconcile with another person?
Dear God, remind me of Your infinite grace. Help me to be more humble and trust You in all my relationships.
Author: Jennifer Benson
“As a shepherd looks over his flock… so I will look over My flock.” — Ezekiel 34:12
When Pastor Warren heard that a man in his church had left his wife and family, he asked God to help him meet the man by chance so they could talk. And the Lord helped! When Warren arrived at the restaurant one day, he noticed the man at the table. “Will there be room for one more hungry man?” – he asked, approaching a member of the church. Soon they were talking openly and praying together.
Pastor Warren acted like a true shepherd, following the example of God who said through the prophet Ezekiel that he would care for his flock. God promised to find His scattered sheep, save them, and gather them together again (Ezek. 34:12-13). He will feed them in a good pasture: “I will find the lost sheep, and I will bring back the lost sheep, and I will bind up the wounded, and I will strengthen the sick” (vv. 14-16). In each of these images we see a manifestation of God’s love for His people. Ezekiel’s prophecy reflects the eternal heart of God and the Shepherd, Who will one day reveal Himself in the Person of Jesus.
Whatever our circumstances, God touches each of us, seeking to save and shelter us in good pastures. He wants us to follow Him, the Good Shepherd, Who lays down His life for His sheep (see John 10:14-15).
How does Jesus, the Good Shepherd, care about you? How can you trust Him to heal any wound or strengthen any weakness?
Dear God, You love me even if I drift away from You and wander somewhere. Help me to always be in Your fold to receive Your love and care.
By Amy Buescher Pye
“And he was tried there in that prison house. And the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy.” — Genesis 39:20-21
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin left the space module and became the first people to set foot on the surface of the moon. However, we often forget about the third member of the crew – Michael Collins, who remained on board the main ship, waiting for the return of his comrades.
As the rest of the crew descended to the lunar surface, Collins waited for them alone on the far side of the moon. He had nothing to do with Neal and Buzz, or anyone on earth. NASA commented on it as follows: “No one since the time of Adam has been in such complete solitude as Michael Collins.”
Sometimes we feel completely alone. Imagine, for example, how Joseph, son of Jacob, felt when he was taken to Egypt (Genesis 37:23-28). He felt even more lonely when he was thrown into prison on false charges (Genesis 39:19-20).
How did Joseph survive in prison in a foreign land, even without any of his family by his side? Listen: “And he tried there in that prison house. And the Lord was with Joseph” (vv. 20-21). Genesis 39 reminds us of this truth four times.
Do you feel lonely and isolated from others? Rely on the truth of God’s presence, promised by Jesus Himself: “I will be with you daily” (Mt. 28:20). With the Savior Jesus you will never be alone.
When do you feel most alone? How does God remind you that He is with you in times of loneliness?
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to know that You are with me just as You were with Joseph.
Author: David Brenon
“And the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return again to God who gave it.” — Ecclesiastes 12:7
I sat down in the church pew behind my friend. The worship group has just started singing the song “I Can Only Imagine”. Raising my hands, I praised God. The sweet soprano of Louise, my friend, sounded in harmony with my voice. Later, she told me about her health problems and we decided to pray together for her cancer treatment.
A few months later, Louise said she was afraid of dying. Leaning over her bed, I put my head next to hers, whispered a prayer and softly sang our song. I can only imagine how, just a few days later, Louise was already worshiping Jesus in His direct presence.
The apostle Paul comforted his readers who were facing death (2 Cor. 5:1). Suffering on this side of eternity can cause sadness, but our hope is rooted in heavenly life, in an eternal stay with Jesus Christ (vv. 2-4). Although God created us with a desire for eternal life with Him (vv. 5-6), His promises are to affect our life for Him now (vv. 7-10).
Living for Jesus and waiting for His coming or for our call to return home, let us rejoice in the peace of His constant presence. What will we feel the moment we leave our earthly bodies and enter eternity with Jesus? We can only imagine!
When have you felt overwhelmed by the death or loss of a loved one? How are you encouraged by God’s promise of eternal life?
Loving God, thank you for your promise to be with me on earth and in eternity.
Author: Sosheel Dixon
