“And you will remember the Lord, your God.” — Deuteronomy 8:18
On January 15, 1919, a large molasses tank exploded in Boston. A five-meter wave of 8 million liters rushed through the streets of the city at a speed of more than 50 km per hour, sweeping away wagons, houses, people and animals in its path. Molasses seemed completely harmless, but that day it turned out to be deadly: 21 people died and more than 150 were injured.
Sometimes even good things can surprise us unexpectedly. Before the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Moses warned the people not to ascribe to themselves the benefits that they will receive: “So that when you eat and are satisfied, and you build good houses, and you dwell in them, and your cattle, large and small, multiply, and silver and gold multiply for you… so that your heart does not become proud, and that you do not forget Lord, your God.” The people were not to attribute wealth to their own strength or their own abilities. Moses said: “And you will remember the Lord, your God, because He is the One who gives you the strength to acquire strength” (Deuteronomy 8:12-14, 17-18).
All good things, including physical health and the skills necessary to earn a living, are blessings from the hand of a loving God. Even if we are able to work hard, it is only possible with God’s support. Let’s be grateful for the blessings received and praise God for His goodness to us!
What manifestation of God’s goodness are you grateful for today? With whom can you share the blessings you have received?
Heavenly Father, thank you for supporting me every moment. Please help me to realize Your goodness and share it with others.
For the liberation of the occupied territories from the enemy, for God’s protection from missile attacks and the restoration of Ukraine’s energy system.
For God’s protection on our military. For peace throughout the territory of Ukraine.
For insight and repentance of the Russian people. For God’s judgment on the Russian government.
For spiritual awakening and humility before God of Ukrainian society.
For wisdom for our political and military leadership.
For the influence and service of the church in this difficult time.
For the restoration and healing of our land, for orphans, widows, refugees and the wounded, for release from captivity.
“They will run – and not get tired, they will walk – and not suffer.” — Isaiah 40:31
“I don’t think I can do it again,” my friend said with tears in her eyes, talking about the sense of helplessness she felt while working as a caregiver. “I know God called me to this job, but I’m depressed and emotionally drained.” Understanding her exhaustion, I replied, “I know you feel helpless right now, but ask God to give you the guidance you seek and the strength you need.” A friend decided to seek God in prayer. She soon gained a new sense of purpose. With God’s help, she was able not only to continue her work, but also to expand the circle of people she served by visiting various hospitals in the country.
We, believers in Jesus Christ, can always rely on God’s help and support, because “He does not grow weary or grow weary” (Is. 40:28). The prophet Isaiah says that our Heavenly Father “gives strength to the afflicted, and strength to the powerless” (v. 29). God’s power is limitless. However, He knows that we will inevitably have days when we feel physically and emotionally exhausted (v. 30). However, if we rely on God’s strength and do not try to cope with life’s difficulties on our own, He will restore our strength and help us move forward with faith.
When have you tried to cope with difficult situations on your own? How to rely on God’s help?
Dear God, thank you for helping me when life’s challenges seem insurmountable.
“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with courage to receive mercy and find grace for timely help.” — Hebrews 4:16
When the Perseverance rover landed on the red planet on February 18, 2021, the workers watching its arrival experienced “seven minutes of terror.” At the end of its space journey of 470 million kilometers, the rover went through the difficult process of landing. Signals from Mars reach Earth with a delay of several minutes, so NASA employees were not in contact with the rover at the moment of its landing. The lack of communication scared the team.
Sometimes we also feel fear when we pray and do not receive answers. In the Holy Scriptures, we see both those who quickly received answers to their prayers (see Dan. 9:20-23), and those who waited for answers for a long time (see the story of Anna in 1 Sam. 1:10-20). Perhaps the most striking example of a delayed response is the story of how Martha and Mary asked Jesus to come and help their sick brother Lazarus (John 11:3). Jesus’ delay probably filled the hearts of the sisters with terror. The Lord delayed, and their brother died (vv. 6-7, 14-15). However, after four days, Jesus finally answered by resurrecting Lazarus (vv. 43-44).
It is difficult to expect God’s answers to our prayers. However, God can comfort us and help us if we approach “with boldness to [His] throne of grace, to receive mercy and to find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).
What have you been praying for that still hasn’t been answered? How can God strengthen your faith while you wait on Him?
Loving God, You know what is in my heart. Please help me to trust You as I wait for Your answer.
“Let everyone give as his heart desires… for God loves the one who gives with joy!” — 2 Corinthians 9:7
Brenda was walking to the exit of the shopping center, when suddenly her attention was drawn to the pink color that was visible behind the glass of the window. She came closer and stopped, admiring the “caramel-colored cotton coat.” Oh, Holly would love that! Her friend, a single mother, had financial difficulties. Brenda knew Holly needed a warm coat, but she could never afford to pay that much for one. After some thought, Brenda smiled, took out her purse, and ordered the coat to be delivered to Holly’s house. To this gift, she added an anonymous card: “You are loved a lot!” Brenda was literally jumping for joy as she walked back to her car.
Giving at God’s prompting brings joy. The Apostle Paul, urging the Corinthians to show generosity, said: “Let everyone give as his heart desires – not in sorrow and not under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7). He also noted: “He who sows generously will also reap generously” (v. 6).
Sometimes we put money in the donation plate. Sometimes we make online donations for a specific ministry. And sometimes God prompts us to show His love by caring for the needs of our friends. We give a bag of groceries, pay for a gas station… or buy a pink coat as a gift.
Who can you show God’s love to today? How can being generous fill you with joy?
Loving Father, You gave us Your Son, and we also want to sacrifice for others. Help us to respond to Your prompting to meet the needs of our neighbor.
“He is not always hostile to us, and he does not hide his anger forever.” — Psalm 102:9
One of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic was the docking of cruise ships and the quarantine of passengers. “The Wall Street Journal” published an article containing interviews with tourists. Commenting on how the quarantine provided more opportunities for communication, one passenger joked that his wife, who has a great memory, remembered every one of his misdeeds and she thought she hadn’t remembered everything yet!
Stories like these make us smile, remind us of our human nature, and serve as a warning to see if we’re holding on to things we should let go of. However, what helps us to be kind to those who have offended us? The character of our great God as stated in Psalm 102:8-12.
In verses 8-10 it is beautifully said: “The Lord is generous and merciful, long-suffering and merciful. He is not always hostile to us, and he does not hide his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, and repays us not according to our transgressions.” Prayerfully reading the Holy Scriptures and asking for God’s help can prompt us to reconsider our intentions to take revenge on someone or punish someone. It can also lead us to pray for ourselves and for those we want to hurt by refusing to show grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
Who did you want to hurt in return for the pain they caused you? Who can you turn to for prayer support?
God of mercy, kindness and forgiveness, please help me to show grace and mercy to those who have hurt me.
“Bear with one another, and forgive.” — Colossians 3:13
Eighty years in marriage! On May 31, 2021, Pat and Ruth, my husband’s great-grandparents, celebrated this milestone. After a chance meeting in 1941, when Ruth was still in college, the young people fell in love so much that they married the day after graduation. Pat and Ruth believe that God brought them together and guided them all these years.
Reflecting on their eight decades of marriage, Pat and Ruth agree that one of the main aspects of their strong relationship is their willingness to forgive. In a healthy relationship, everyone understands that we all constantly need forgiveness for the pain we cause each other: whether it’s because of an unkind word, or because of a broken promise or task.
The Apostle Paul, seeking to help Christians live in unity, speaks of the important role of forgiveness. After urging readers to choose “sincere mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering” (Col. 3:12), Paul adds: “Forgive… if anyone has a complaint against someone” (v. 13). And what is most important – all relationships should be in love (v. 14).
A relationship that reflects the traits described by the apostle Paul is a blessing. May God help us all to develop healthy relationships characterized by love and forgiveness.
How did you experience healing when you forgave or were forgiven? How do forgiveness and accountability help strengthen relationships?
Lord Jesus, help me to forgive others as You have forgiven me.
“Teach a young man to his way, and when he grows old, he will not deviate from it.” — Proverbs 22:6
In the 1960s TV series The Andy Griffith Show, a man tells Andy that he should let his son Opie decide for himself how to live his life. But Andy disagrees: “You can’t let a young man make life’s decisions on his own. He’ll grab the first bright thing with shiny ribbons on it. Then he’ll find a hook, but it will be too late. The wrong ideas have such a strong influence that it will be difficult to convince a young man that there is something better.” Andy says it’s important for parents to model good behavior and “keep kids away from temptation.”
These words resonate with the wisdom expressed in the Book of Proverbs: “Teach a young man his way, and when he grows old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). This verse is a guiding principle, although many read it as a promise. All of us are called to make a personal decision to believe in Jesus. However, with our love for God and the Scriptures, we can help lay a biblical foundation. We can also pray that our children, growing up under our care, accept Christ as their Savior and walk in His ways, and not be “in the way of the wicked” (v. 5).
Our victory over “bright things”, won with the help of the Holy Spirit, also serves as a strong testimony. The Spirit of Jesus helps us resist temptation and makes our lives a worthy example to follow.
Why is it important to remember that Proverbs 22:6 is not a promise, but a wise principle? Who can you help in “learning”?
Dear Father, help me teach Your values to the children You have given into my life.
“The Kingdom of Heaven is like… to… a treasure.” — Matthew 13:44
My friend Ruel attended a reunion of school graduates, which was held at the house of one of his classmates. The mansion on the coast near Manila Bay could hold up to two hundred people, and Ruel felt insignificant.
“I served as a pastor in remote country churches for many years,” Ruel told me, “and I was filled with envy because of the material well-being of my classmate. I began to think how different my life would be if I had become a businessman and had the appropriate degree.”
“However, later I reminded myself that there is really nothing to envy,” he continued with a smile. “I have dedicated my life to serving God, and the consequences of this will be eternal.” I will always remember the calm look on his face when he said those words.
Ruel drew his peace from Jesus’ parables in Matthew 13:44-46. He knew that the greatest treasure is God’s Kingdom. Living for the Kingdom can take many forms. For some, it may mean full-time service, for others, a pious life in a secular context. Regardless of how God chooses to use us, we can trust Him and rely on His guidance, realizing the value of the imperishable treasure we have been given. Nothing in this world can compare to what we have received in following God (1 Pet. 1:4-5).
Our life in God’s hands can bear eternal fruit.
What have you sacrificed to follow God? How does the Gospel passage from Matthew 13:44-46 inspire you?
Heavenly Father, may every day of my life be filled with joy because of the treasure I have found in You.
