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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. — Psalm 46:1 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Where can we go when it seems as if all our walls have fallen, all the protection we have has vanished, and our hearts feel as if all hope is lost? We can go to the eternal God, who is also our Abba Father ( Romans 8:15-17 ). He preserved ancient Israel miraculously through their most difficult times in their history, protected the Scriptures from hordes of those who tried to eradicate them, and has led his Church victoriously through all her troubles, trials, and triumphs throughout the centuries. He will do the same with us until he brings us home to himself. For "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." My Prayer... My Rock, My Hope and My Protector, I thank you for preserving my life. I thank you for hearing my cries for help and healing. I thank you for guiding my feet into ways that have been a blessing. Please, O God, stay close by as ...

Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. — Luke 12:6-7 Thoughts on Today's Verse... In a universe so vast, what is our little planet? On a planet so diverse and so full of life, what are simple, ordinary, and everyday people? Among all the billions of people alive and all those who have lived before us, what significance do I have among so many others? Jesus reminds us that our significance is great-not because we are so important, but because we are known personally by God, who created us, has known us, and has had a purpose for us from the time of our conception ( Psalm 139:13-16 ). We don't have to be afraid; we are known and loved by the One who is and who was and who is to come! As born-of-God believers, we are God’s precious children ( John 1:11-13 , 3:3-7 ). He will never leave us or forsake us ( Hebrews 13:5-6 ; Ro...

For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. — Psalm 149:4 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Jesus left heaven and made himself a servant. No wonder God could say to him, "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" ( Luke 3:22 ). God expressed his delight to his Son as he lived as an example of a servant ( Mark 10:45 ). He did so to enable the last of this world to be counted as first in the Kingdom of God ( Matthew 20:16 ). Jesus declared that the servant of others is greater than those who are served ( Luke 22:25-27 ). Jesus demonstrated that those often considered the least important in our world are the most important to him ( Matthew 25:40, 45 ). The arrogant, the abusive, and the parading powerful have found it easy to reject the call of Christ for centuries - after all, Jesus died for the sinful and the weak. They consider themselves "important" and feel that they do not need a Savior. However, those who are hum...

The LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us. — Isaiah 33:22 Thoughts on Today's Verse... When we think about God as our Judge, we normally think of falling under judgment and receiving punishment. Isaiah reminds us that God's being our Judge means he will judge us according to his will, rule, and grace. He is on our side and is looking to save us, not condemn us ( John 3:16-17 ). His commands are rightfully given as our Creator and King, yet given to us to protect us and bless us. Using the New Testament idiom, when we stand before our Judge, we see our loving Father, and at his right hand is our Savior, who gave his life for us ( Hebrews 1:3 ). As Paul so beautifully told us: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back in fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our...

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal. — Psalm 119:160 Thoughts on Today's Verse... The requirements of morality and holiness are not temporary or fleeting because they reflect the nature of our Holy God, who is eternal. They don't shift with the wishes of culture or the trends proposed by the so-called enlightened. God's truth is true across cultures, times, and wishes. We do not adapt God's will to our times, but we redeem our times by adapting our wills to his truth. My Prayer... Righteous God Almighty, may my life reflect your righteous character, gracious compassion, and faithful love and justice. You, your nature, and your values are forever, and I want to invest my life in what endures and is eternal. Please give me wisdom to see through the fleeting temptations of today, the fads of culture, and the degradations of morality, as I seek to do what honors you. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen. The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are ...

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. — Psalm 119:130 Thoughts on Today's Verse... Years ago, before GPS, driving to a distant place required a map, and sometimes several maps. As you journeyed to that place, the route became increasingly more straightforward as you unfolded the map and found your destination. Sometimes the right path is not so difficult to find; we need to know where to begin our search. We need to unfold our map by reading God's words. As we unfold them, the way we should travel in life becomes increasingly clearer. The right way is very seldom just the property of the bright, wise, and scholarly; it can be very clear for any of us who choose to look for it in God's words, and then unfold them so God can get us to his destination for us. My Prayer... O holy Father, thank you for making your will known through your words in Scripture. Bless me as I open your Word, as I listen to your words, and as I focus on your wi...