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 …
Seek His Face
Read 1 Chronicles 13:1 through 16:43 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always (1 Chronicles 16:11). King David wanted to bring the ark of God back to Jerusalem. The first attempt to move the ark was disastrous because he didn’t follow God’s commands for transporting it. Putting the ark on an oxen-drawn cart was all wrong. …
Mission Possible
Read Luke 7:11–35 The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother (Luke 7:15). This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s incredible power. If you ever wonder if God can help you through a troubling circumstance, the fact that He can raise the dead puts to rest any concern over God’s …
Peace, Be Still
Read Mark 4:1 through 5:43 Jesus and His disciples got into a boat heading for the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Exhausted from ministering to crowds of people all day, Jesus lay down in the back of the boat and went to sleep. About halfway across the lake, a violent wind came up. Though the disciples had watched …