Heavenly Focus

Read 2 Corinthians 1:1 through 4:18 Shawn surveyed the devastation the flood had left behind. The mission church on which he had labored so hard lay in total shambles. His wife, Carol, expressed her sadness: “Honey, we came here in response to God’s call. I wonder why He has allowed our work to be in vain?” Shawn responded, “I must …

Joyful Hearts

Read Psalms 10:1–18 and 33:1–22 You’ve heard the clichéd descriptions of life’s pain: “I’m so low I have to look up to see bottom,” “With friends like that, who needs enemies,” “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.” In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name (Psalm 33:21). God’s Word doesn’t …

I Need Help

Read Psalms 11:1 through 18:50 Many of the Psalms are full of praise to God. We sometimes visualize David as peacefully strumming a harp as he quietly watches a flock of sheep grazing on a grassy slope. Psalm 13 presents a different picture. David apparently had doubts, troubling thoughts, and enemies. Things did not always go well for him. In …

Refined and Purified

Read Job 23:1 through 31:40 Visitors to a gold refinery were amazed at the incredible change that had taken place in the raw, unrefined ore to produce the gleaming gold samples on display. The tour guide informed tourists that gold is one of the most valuable metals known. Because it does not corrode, it is valued for its durability. Gold …