From Strength to Strength

Read Psalms 82:1 through 85:13; Acts 27:1–20 We use the term marathon as a way to honor the Greek runner, Phidippedes, who ran about twenty-six miles to carry the news of the Greek victory in the battle of Marathon. The effort killed him. Today, running a marathon is the crowning achievement for most long-distance runners. Even prepared runners struggle throughout …

Reflection

Read Psalms 71:1–24; 89:1–52 In Psalm 71, the Psalmist reflects on who God has been to him during the course of his life. During his infancy the Psalmist learned of God’s reliance. In his youth, God revealed himself to the Psalmist as his hope, confidence, and teacher. At the age of his writing the psalm, the Psalmist saw God as …

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 …

Still There

Read Esther 8:1 through 10:3 The grandfather looked up and saw that his grandson’s kite was hidden by low-hanging clouds. “All I see is a string,” he said with a playful wink. “How do you know it’s still there?” “Oh, it’s there all right,” the boy answered. “I can feel the tug.” The Book of Esther never mentions the name …

Problems Are Groupies!

Read Nehemiah 5:1 through 7:73 When was the last time you faced just one problem? Although dealing with even one problem isn’t easy, at least you would be able to direct all your effort and energy into resolving it. Seriously, problems are groupies! It is not at all unusual for two, three, or even four problems to gang up on …

Faithful with the Message

Read Luke 19:1 through 20:47 He called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. “Put this money to work,” he said, “until I come back” (Luke 19:13). Jesus’ followers hoped that He would overthrow the Roman government and establish His kingdom. To let them know that this wouldn’t happen soon, Jesus told a parable of a king who …

Seek God’s Kingdom

Read Luke 12:22–48 In Luke 12 Jesus spoke to His followers about their values. He first consoled those who needed confirmation of their worth in God’s sight. He then addressed the wealthy and the sin of greed. To summarize the topic, He differentiated between worldly and eternal treasures. “Seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as …