Verse from Isaiah

“你们要追念上古的事。因为我是上帝，并无别神；我是上帝，再没有能比我的。”

以赛亚书 46:9 

“"Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,”

(Isaiah 46:9) 

CNN calls a derivative of graphite a “miracle material” that could revolutionize our future. Only one atom thick, graphene is being hailed as a truly two-dimensional material in a 3-D world. One hundred times stronger than steel, it is harder than diamond, conducts electricity 1,000 times better than copper, and is more flexible than rubber. 

In and of themselves, such technological advances are neither moral nor evil. But we are wise to remember the limitations of anything we make for ourselves.

Isaiah spoke to a generation who found themselves carrying into captivity gods they had made with their own hands. The prophet wanted the Israelites to see the irony of needing to care for the silver and gold idols they had crafted to inspire, help, comfort, and protect them.

What was true of Israel holds true for us as well. Nothing we have made or bought for ourselves can meet the needs of our heart. Only God, who has been carrying us “from the womb” (Isa. 46:3-4), can carry us into the future.

Father, 

thank You for the miracle of relationship with You. Help us not to rely on our own efforts, strength, or possessions but instead sense Your loving care for us.

An idol is anything that takes God’s rightful place.

Verse from Job

“约伯啊！你当留心听这话，要站立思想神奇妙的事。”

约伯记 37:14 

“"Listen to this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God.”

Job 37:14 

God’s creation and works are endless. In the book of Job, one of Job’s friends, Elihu, points this out to Job as he struggles through his loss. Elihu challenges his friend, “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” (Job 37:14–16). We, as humans, can’t begin to understand the complexity of God and His creation.

Even the parts of creation we can’t see reflect God’s glory and power. His glory surrounds us. No matter what we’re going through, God is working, even when we can’t see it and don’t understand. Let’s praise Him today, for “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (Job 5:9).

Lord, 

thank You for the detail You put into creation and for being at work even when we can’t see it.

Verse from Isaiah

“愿你裂天而降！愿群山都在你面前震动！”

以赛亚书 64:1 

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence-”

Isaiah 64:1 

The Babylonian Empire overwhelmed Israel, crushing them with an iron fist and turning Jerusalem into smoldering rubble. The prophet Isaiah put words to the people’s dark doubt: Where is the God who’s supposed to rescue us? (Isaiah 63:11–15). And yet from precisely this place, Isaiah offered a bold prayer: God, “rend the heavens and come down” (64:1). Isaiah’s pain and sorrow drove him not to pull away from God, but to seek to draw closer to Him.

Our doubts and troubles offer a strange gift: they reveal how lost we are and how much we need God to move toward us. We see now the remarkable, improbable story. In Jesus, God did rip the heavens and come to us. Christ surrendered His own ripped and broken body so that He could overwhelm us with His love. In Jesus, God is very near.

Verse from Romans

“我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱上帝的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。”

罗马书 8:28 

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Romans 8:28 

The first words that many people like to quote when misfortune hits are: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). But that’s hard to believe in hard times. There was a man who had lost his third son in a row, and he lamented, “How can this tragedy work for my good?” Several months later, he was thankful as he said, “My sorrow is drawing me closer to God.”

Tough as Romans 8:28 may be to understand, countless testimonies give credence to the truth of it. The story of hymn writer Fanny Crosby is a classic example. The world is the beneficiary of her memorable hymns, yet what worked together for good was born out of her personal tragedy, for she became blind at the age of 5. At only age 8, she began to write poetry and hymns. Writing over 8,000 sacred songs and hymns, she blessed the world with such popular songs as “Blessed Assurance,” “Safe in the Arms of Jesus,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” God used her difficulty to bring good for her and us and glory for Him.

When tragedy befalls us, it’s hard to understand how anything good can come from it, and we won’t always see it in this life. But God has good purposes and always remains with us.

What trial in your life have you found to be for your good? What good things have come from it? What are you now suffering that you pray will bring something good?

God always has good purposes for our trials.

Verses from Esther

“末底改叫人回复以斯帖说：“你不要心里想，你在王宫里比所有的犹大人都安全。这时你若是缄默不言，犹大人必会从别的地方得着解救，那时你和你的父家就必灭亡。谁知你得了王后的位分，不是为了挽救现今的危机吗？””

以斯帖记 4:13-14 

“Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not imagine that you in the king's palace can escape any more than all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?"”

Esther 4:13-14 

Queen Esther may have thought she could escape King Xerxes’s decree to annihilate the Jews around 475 bc because she had concealed her ethnicity. However, she was convinced to act—even under the threat of death—when her cousin begged her to not remain silent about her Jewish heritage because she had been placed in her position “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

We may never be asked to make such a dramatic decision. However, we will likely face the choice to speak out against an injustice or remain silent; to provide assistance to someone in trouble or turn away. May God grant us courage.

Are there those you need to speak up for? 

Ask God about the timing.

Verse from Psalms

“求你叫我遵行你的命令，因为这是我所喜乐的。”

诗篇 119:35 

“Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.”

Psalms 119:35 

Following God’s wise instruction allows us to escape the consequences that come from choices we later wish we could undo. Without the weight of guilt or pain we are freer to enjoy our lives. God doesn’t want to control us with dos and don’ts; rather, His guidelines show that He loves us.

Dear God, 

give me a love for Your ways like the psalmist had. 

I want to worship You with the choices I make every day.

Verse from Proverbs

“要修平你脚下的路，坚定你一切的道。”

箴言 4:26 

“Watch the path of your feet And all your ways will be established.”

Proverbs 4:26 

The Great Wall of China is one of the great wonders of the world, a true masterpiece of engineering. It's the only man-made structure that can be seen from outer space. Five to six horses could trot side by side on top of it. I've walked along it myself, and it is awesome to see this massive structure snake its way through the mountains. 

The wall was built, of course, to protect China from invasion. Watchtowers and various battlements dot its construction at frequent intervals. But in the first hundred years after the wall was completed, enemies managed to invade the country three times, breaching the security of this enormous, rock-solid defense. How? 

They didn't go over it. They didn't go through it. They didn't need to knock it down. Because while China was building this impenetrable defense system, it was apparently neglecting to build character into its children's lives. 

All the invaders had to do was bribe the gatekeepers. 

This story is a good reminder to all parents, especially modern day parents. Many parents today are vitally concerned with the education their kids receive and the skills they develop. They spend hours shuttling them to school and to various extracurricular activities, looking forward to the day when they will earn scholarships and enter the working world, establishing themselves in successful and lucrative careers. But none of these accomplishments are worth anything without the character to back them up. 

It's our children's CQ, not their IQ—their "character quotient," not their intelligence—that will secure their futures and enable them to stand strong in battle.

Verse from Isaiah

“使人刻苦自己的日子，这样的禁食是我拣选的吗？难道只是叫人垂头像一根苇子，用麻布和炉灰铺在下面吗？你可以称这是禁食，为耶和华所悦纳的日子吗？”

以赛亚书 58:5 

“"Is it a fast like this which I choose, a day for a man to humble himself? Is it for bowing one's head like a reed And for spreading out sackcloth and ashes as a bed? Will you call this a fast, even an acceptable day to the LORD?”

Isaiah 58:5 

The Israelites at the time of Isaiah were living hypocritical lives. Isaiah warned them that their pretentious religiosity didn’t please God. “They act so pious! They come to the Temple every day . . . pretending they want to be near me. . . . You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance. . . . Do you really think this will please the Lord?” (58:2, 5 nlt). 

Isaiah contrasts ritualistic religiosity with true spirituality. Being religious is not the same as being right; fervency in activities (fasting) is not spirituality; false piety is hypocrisy. Isaiah called God’s people to please Him by doing what’s right: Act justly and treat people fairly (vv. 3, 6, 9), stop fighting and quarreling (v. 4), help those burdened or imprisoned by life’s circumstances and poverty (v. 6), and be generous to those in need (vv. 7, 10).

Verses from Matthew

“因为从心里出来的，有恶念、凶杀、奸淫、淫乱、偷盗、假见证和毁谤。这些才会使人污秽，不洗手吃饭却不会这样。””

马太福音 15:19-20 

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man."”

Matthew 15:19-20 

When a college class went on a cultural field trip, the instructor almost didn’t recognize one of his star pupils. In the classroom she had concealed six-inch heels beneath her pant legs. But in her walking boots she was less than five feet tall. “My heels are how I want to be,” she laughed. “But my boots are how I really am.”

Our physical appearance doesn’t define who we are; it’s our heart that matters. Jesus had strong words for those masters of appearances—the super-religious “Pharisees and teachers of the law.” They asked Jesus why His disciples didn’t wash their hands before eating, as their religious traditions dictated (Matthew 15:1–2). Jesus asked, “Why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” (v. 3). Then He pointed out how they had invented a legal loophole to keep their wealth instead of caring for their parents (vv. 4–6), thus dishonoring them and violating the fifth commandment (Exodus 20:12).

If we obsess over appearances while looking for loopholes in God’s clear commands, we’re violating the spirit of His law. Jesus said that “out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality,” and the like (Matthew 15:19).

Lord, 

we are so prone to rely on our own efforts to impress You and others. 

Help us to be authentic in all our relationships, and to enjoy the restored heart we can have through Your forgiveness.

Verse from Romans

“因为凡被上帝的灵引导的，都是上帝的儿子。”

罗马书 8:14 

“For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.”

Romans 8:14 

The apostle Paul wanted the people in the church at Rome to understand that their identity was based on being adopted members of God’s family (Romans 8:15). Because they had been born of the Spirit (v. 14), no longer did they need to be enslaved to things that didn’t really matter. Rather, through the gift of the Spirit, they were “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (v. 17).

To those who follow Christ, what difference does this make? Quite simply, everything! Our identity as children of God provides our foundation and shapes how we see ourselves and the world. For instance, knowing that we are part of God’s family helps us to step out of our comfort zone as we follow Him. We can also be free from seeking the approval of others.

what it means to be God’s child for you?

Verse from Ezra

“波斯王塞鲁士元年，耶和华为要应验借耶利米口所说的话，就激动波斯王塞鲁士的心，使他下诏通告全国说：”

以斯拉记 1:1 

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: (Ezra 1:1)

In 1879, archaeologists discovered a remarkable little item in an area now known as Iraq (biblical Babylon). Just 9 inches long, the Cyrus Cylinder records something that King Cyrus of Persia did 2,500 years ago. It says that Cyrus allowed a group of people to return to their homeland and rebuild their “holy cities.”

It’s the same story told in Ezra 1. There we read that “the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia” to make a proclamation (v. 1). And in that proclamation, Cyrus said he was releasing the captives in Babylon to go home to Jerusalem, re-establish their homes, and rebuild their temple (vv. 2-5).

But there’s more to the story. Daniel confessed his sins and his people’s sins and pleaded with God to end the Babylonian captivity (Dan. 9). In response to Daniel’s prayer, God sent an angel to speak to Daniel (v. 21). Later He moved Cyrus to release the Hebrews. (See also Jer. 25:11-12; 39:10.)

Together, the Cyrus Cylinder and God’s Word combine to show us that the king’s heart was changed and he allowed the exiled Hebrews to go home and worship.

This story has great implications for us today. In a world that seems out of control, we can rest assured that God can move the hearts of leaders. We read in Proverbs 21:1 that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord.” And Romans 13:1 says that “there is no authority except from God.” 

The Lord, who is able to change our own hearts as well as the hearts of our leaders, can be trusted for He is in control. Let’s ask Him to work.

Dear Father, 

the world so often seems out of control. We know You are sovereign over everything. We pray that Your will be done in our homeland and in the hearts of our leaders.

Verses from Psalms

“我要向山举目；我的帮助从何而来？我的帮助 从造天地的耶和华而来。”

诗篇 121:1-2 

“I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.”

Psalms 121:1-2 

When we “target fixate”—focusing on our problems or struggles—we almost automatically orient our lives around them.

However, Scripture encourages us to look past our problems to the One who can help us with them. In Psalm 121:1, we read, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?” The psalm then answers: “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. . . . The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (vv. 2, 8).

Sometimes our obstacles can seem insurmountable. But God invites us to look to Him to help us see beyond our troubles instead of letting them dominate our perspective. 

Father, 

help us not to “target fixate,” but to look to You whenever we face fearful obstacles as we seek to follow You along life’s road.

Verse from Proverbs

“要使你的泉源蒙福，要喜悦你年轻时所娶的妻子。”

箴言 5:18 

“Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice in the wife of your youth.”

Proverbs 5:18 

The “Jarabe Tapatío,” also known as the Mexican hat dance, celebrates romance. During this upbeat dance, the man places his sombrero on the ground. At the very end, the woman grabs the hat and both hide behind it to seal their romance with a kiss.

This dance is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness in marriage. In Proverbs 5, after talking about the high cost of immorality, we read that marriage is exclusive. “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well” (v. 15). Even with ten couples dancing the Jarabe on stage, each person focuses on his or her partner. We can rejoice in a deep and undivided commitment to our spouse (v. 18).

Our romance is also being observed. The dancers, while they are enjoying their partner, know someone is watching. In the same way, we read, “For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths” (v. 21). God wants to protect our marriages, so He’s constantly watching us. May we please Him through the loyalty we show to each other. 

Just like in the Jarabe there is a rhythm to follow in life. When we keep the beat of our Creator by being faithful to Him—whether we are married or unmarried—we find blessings and joy.

Verse from Psalms

“但我倚靠你的慈爱；我的心因你的救恩快乐。”

诗篇 13:5 

“But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.”

Psalms 13:5 

It’s not uncommon during a long (or short!) trip for someone in a group of travelers to ask, “Are we there yet?” or “How much longer?” Who hasn’t heard these universal queries coming from the lips of children and adults eager to arrive at their destination? But people of all ages are also prone to ask similar questions when wearied because of life challenges that never seem to cease.

Such was the case with David in Psalm 13. Four times in two verses (vv. 1–2), David—who felt forgotten, forsaken, and defeated—lamented “How long?” In verse two, he asks, “How long must I wrestle with my thoughts?” Psalms that include lament, like this one, implicitly give us permission to worshipfully come to the Lord with questions of our own. After all, what better person to talk to during prolonged times of stress and strain than God? We can bring our struggles with illness, grief, the waywardness of a loved one, and relational difficulties to Him. 

Worship need not stop when we have questions. The sovereign God of heaven welcomes us to bring our worry-filled questions to Him. And perhaps, like David, in due time our questions will be transformed into petitions and expressions of trust and praise to the Lord (vv. 3–6). 

Verse from Romans

“是高天的、是深渊的，或是任何别的被造之物，都不能叫我们与神的爱隔绝，这爱是在我们的主耶稣基督里的。”

罗马书 8:39 

“nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:39 

“What’s one thing you can’t give up?” the radio host asked. Listeners called in with some interesting answers. Some mentioned their families, including a husband who shared memories of a deceased wife. Others shared they can’t give up on their dreams, such as making a living in music or becoming a mother. All of us have something we treasure dearly—a person, a passion, a possession—something we can’t give up.

In the book of Hosea, God tells us that He won’t give up on His chosen people Israel, His treasured possession. As Israel’s loving husband, God provided her with everything she needed: land, food, drink, clothing, and security. Yet like an adulterous spouse, Israel rejected God and sought her happiness and security elsewhere. The more God pursued her, the further she drifted away (Hosea 11:2). However, though she had hurt Him deeply, He would not give her up (v. 8). He would discipline Israel so as to redeem her; His desire was to re-establish His relationship with her (v. 11).

Today, all God’s children can have the same assurance: His love for us is a love that will never let us go (Romans 8:37–39). If we’ve wandered from Him, He yearns for us to return. When God disciplines us, we can be comforted that it’s a sign of His pursuit, not of His rejection. We are His treasure; He won’t give up on us.

Heavenly Father, 

thank You for Your love that never gives up on me. 

Help me to love You wholeheartedly.

Verse from 2 Kings

“神人说：「不要惧怕！与我们同在的比与他们同在的更多。」”

列王纪下 6:16 

So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:16)

Most of what goes on in the universe we never see. Many things are too small or move too fast or even too slow for us to see. Using modern technology, however, filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg is able to show stunning video images of some of those things—a caterpillar’s mouth, the eye of a fruit fly, the growth of a mushroom.

Our limited ability to see the awesome and intricate detail of things in the physical world reminds us that our ability to see and understand what’s happening in the spiritual realm is equally limited. God is at work all around us doing things more wonderful than we can imagine. But our spiritual vision is limited and we cannot see them. The prophet Elisha, however, actually got to see the supernatural work that God was doing. God also opened the eyes of his fearful colleague so he too could see the heavenly army sent to fight on their behalf (2 Kings 6:17).

Fear makes us feel weak and helpless and causes us to think we are alone in the world. But God has assured us that His Spirit in us is greater than any worldly power (1 John 4:4).

Whenever we become discouraged by the evil we can see, we need to think instead about the good work God is doing that we cannot see.

Lord, 

I’m tempted to fear what I cannot understand or control. 

But my security rests in You and not in what happens to me or around me. 

Help me to rest in Your unfailing love.

Eyes of faith see God at work in everything.

Verse from Galatians

“我们行善，不可丧志；若不灰心，到了时候就要收成。”

加拉太书 6:9 

In due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9

Paul used the illustration of sowing and reaping because he knew that doing good can be tiring (Gal. 6:7-10). He wrote, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (v.9). It’s difficult to love our enemies, or pray without ceasing. However, reaping the good we have sown isn’t tedious! What a joy when we do get to see love conquering strife, or children following God’s ways, or answers to prayer.

As we have the opportunity, let’s do what is good and wait for the blessings in God’s timing. Don’t lose heart today as you go about following God’s ways. Remember that joy is guaranteed for more than a lifetime.

Keep running the race with eternity in view.

Verse from Philippians

“我的神必照他在基督耶稣里荣耀的丰富，满足你们的一切需要。”

腓立比书 4:19 

“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 

The Bible tells us that “faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). The foundation of this confidence and assurance is God Himself, who “rewards those who earnestly seek him” (v. 6). God is faithful to keep His promises to all who believe and come to Him through Jesus.

Sometimes having faith in “what we do not see” isn’t easy. But we can rest in God’s goodness and His loving character, trusting that His wisdom is perfect in all things—even when we have to wait.

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

“你们要谨慎，无论是谁都不可以恶报恶；或是彼此相待，或是待众人，常要追求良善。”

帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:15 

“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.”

1 Thessalonians 5:15 

Paul understood the need for uplifting, interdependent relationships when he wrote to the believers in Thessalonica. He urged them to “warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak,” and “be patient with everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Commending their caring community (v. 11), Paul spurred them toward even more loving and peaceful relationships (vv. 13–15). By striving to create a culture of forgiveness, kindness, and compassion, their relationships with God and others would be strengthened (vv. 15, 23).

The church can grow and witness for Christ through this kind of loving unity. When believers honor God, committing to lift others up instead of pulling them down with words or actions, we and our communities thrive.

Verse from Matthew

“王要回答说：『我实在告诉你们，这些事你们既做在我这弟兄中一个最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。』”

马太福音 25:40 

“The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'”

Matthew 25:40 

Matthew’s gospel presents Jesus’s surprising vision of the kingdom of God. From His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) to His teaching on the sheep and the goats (25:31–33), Jesus turned the religious thinking of His day upside down and inside out. Instead of condemning sinners and praising those known for defending the law of Moses, He left the impression that judgment day would bring some of the biggest surprises of all (25:45–46). Then, in a stunning turn of events beginning with chapter 26, the unthinkable happens: Jesus allows Himself to be judged, condemned, and crucified.

By His resurrection He shows that what He’s been saying all along is true. The kingdom of God is found in a different kind of King. His citizens are a different kind of people, whose joy and goodness are found in hearts changed by His Spirit and love.

Lord, 

help us not to overthink serving others. Sometimes the small, simple things mean more than we will ever know. And help us to remember that whatever we do for others, we are doing for You.