Verse from Philippians

“我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处富裕；我已经得了秘诀，无论在任何情况之下，或是饱足，或是饥饿，或是富裕，或是缺乏，都可以知足。”

‭‭腓立比书‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

According to Paul, contentment isn’t natural—it’s learned (Philippians 4:11). On our own, we desperately pursue whatever we think will satisfy, moving on to the next thing the minute we realize it won’t. Other times, our discontent takes the form of anxiously shielding ourselves from any and all suspected threats.

Ironically, sometimes it takes experiencing what we’d feared the most in order to stumble into real joy. Having experienced much of the worst life has to offer, Paul could testify firsthand to “the secret” of true contentment (vv. 11–12)—the mysterious reality that as we lift up to God our longings for wholeness, we experience unexplainable peace (vv. 6–7), carried ever deeper into the depths of Christ’s power, beauty, and grace.

How have you experienced mysterious peace when you least expected it? What desperate longings or fears might you need to lift up to God?

Father, 

help me to surrender my attempts to secure my own happiness in exchange for embracing the gift of each moment with You.

Verse from Romans

“不但这样，我们更以患难为荣；知道患难产生忍耐，”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5:3‬ ‭

Ernest Shackleton (1874–1922) led an unsuccessful expedition to cross Antarctica in 1914. When his ship, aptly named Endurance, became trapped in heavy ice in the Weddell Sea, it became an endurance race just to survive. With no means of communicating with the rest of the world, Shackleton and his crew used lifeboats to make the journey to the nearest shore—Elephant Island. 

While most of the crew stayed behind on the island, Shackleton and five crewmen spent two weeks traveling 800 miles across the ocean to South Georgia to get help for those left behind. The “failed” expedition became a victorious entry in the history books when all of Shackleton’s men survived, thanks to their courage and endurance.

The apostle Paul knew what it meant to endure. During a stormy sea voyage to Rome to face trial for his belief in Jesus, Paul learned from an angel of God that the ship would sink. But the apostle kept the men aboard encouraged, thanks to God’s promise that all would survive, despite the loss of the ship (Acts 27:23–24).

When disaster strikes, we tend to want God to immediately make everything better. But God gives us the faith to endure and grow (Romans 5:3). Knowing that, we can encourage each other to keep trusting God in hard times.

Verse from James

“其实明天怎样，你们并不知道。你们的生命是甚么呢？你们本来是过眼云烟，转瞬之间就消逝了。”

‭‭雅各书‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭

“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”

‭‭James‬ ‭4:14

In January 1943, warm Chinook winds hit Spearfish, South Dakota, quickly raising the temperatures from –4° to 45°F (–20° to 7°C). That drastic weather change—a swing of 49 degrees—took place in just two minutes. The widest temperature change recorded in the USA over a twenty-four-hour period is an incredible 103 degrees! On January 15, 1972, Loma, Montana, saw the temperature jump from −54° to 49°F (–48° to 9°C).

Sudden change, however, is not simply a weather phenomenon. It’s sometimes the very nature of life. James reminds us, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow” (4:13–14). An unexpected loss. A surprise diagnosis. A financial reversal. Sudden changes.

Life is a journey with many unpredictable elements. This is precisely why James warns us to turn from “arrogant schemes” (v. 16) that do not take the Almighty into account. As he advised us, “You ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that’ ” (v. 15). 

The events of our lives may be uncertain, but one thing is sure: through all of life’s unexpected moments, our God will never leave us. He’s our one constant throughout life.

Father, 

forgive me for the times I worry over things I couldn’t anticipate or can’t control, and help me to find my rest in You.

Verse from Philippians

“你们要靠着主常常喜乐, 我再说, 你们要喜乐。”

‭‭腓立比书‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭

In What We Keep, a collection of interviews by Bill Shapiro, each person tells of a single item that holds such importance and joy that he or she would never part with it.

What we often keep stashed away in our hearts, though, are things that have brought us great unhappiness: Anxiety—hidden, but easily retrieved. Anger—below the surface, but ready to strike. Resentment—silently corroding the core of our thoughts.

The apostle Paul addressed a more positive way to “think” in a letter to the church at Philippi. He encouraged the people of the church to always rejoice, to be gentle, and to bring everything to God in prayer (Philippians 4:4–9).

Paul’s uplifting words on what to think about helps us see that it’s possible to push out dark thoughts and allow the peace of God to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus (v. 7). It’s when the thoughts that fill up our minds are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and praiseworthy that we keep His peace in our hearts (v. 8).

Guide my thoughts this day, O God, as You hold my heart and life in Your care.

Verse from 1 Timothy

“其实敬虔而又知足，就是得大利的途径，”

‭‭提摩太前书‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭

“But godliness with contentment is great gain.”

‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” Paul warned. “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (v. 10).

What, then, is the antidote to greed? Being “rich toward God,” said Jesus (see Luke 12:13–21). By pursuing, appreciating, and loving our heavenly Father above all, He remains our chief delight. As the psalmist wrote, “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14)

Rejoicing in Him daily relieves us of coveting, leaving us contented. May Jesus redeem our heart’s desires, making us rich toward God!

How have you mishandled money, or made it more than it ought to be? 

How might you give your financial concerns to God this day?

Verse from Mark

“那人就走了，开始在低加波利传讲耶稣为他所作的大事，众人都希奇。”

‭‭马可福音‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭

“And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭5:20‬ ‭

“I lived with my mother so long that she moved out!” Those were the words of KC, whose life before sobriety and surrender to Jesus was not pretty. He candidly admits supporting his drug habit by stealing—even from loved ones. That life is behind him now and he rehearses this by noting the years, months, and days he’s been clean. When KC and I regularly sit down to study God’s Word together, l’m looking at a changed man.

Mark 5:15 speaks of a former demon-possessed individual who had also been changed. Prior to his healing, helpless, hopeless, homeless, and desperate are words that fit the man (vv. 3–5). But all of that changed after Jesus liberated him (v. 13). 

But, as with KC, his life before Jesus was far from normal. His internal turmoil that he expressed externally is not unlike what people experience today. Some hurting people dwell in abandoned buildings, vehicles, or other places; some live in their own homes but are emotionally alone. Invisible chains shackle hearts and minds to the point that they distance themselves from others.

In Jesus, we have the One who can be trusted with our pain and the shame of the past and present. And, as with Legion and KC, He waits with open arms of mercy for all who run to Him today (v. 19).

Verse from Isaiah

“人的高傲必变为谦虚，人的狂妄都必降为卑微，在那日，唯独耶和华被高举。偶像却必全然消逝。”
‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭2:17-18‬ ‭

“The arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, and the idols will totally disappear.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭2:17-18‬ ‭

Sometimes when we get "too big for our britches," we find ourselves humbled by a natural disaster, world war, incurable disease, economic depression, or widespread social disorder. Our arrogance can be a predictor of our own impending disasters. Is there a general principle of our universe at work here? ("Pride goes before a fall.") Or is this the active discipline of God at work?

Both God and His world remind us that there is so much about our lives we can't control. This passage, however, goes beyond the general principles and it promises an ultimate day when human arrogance will be eliminated and all false gods disappear. On that day, God's children will rejoice and be glad! Until then, let's walk humbly with our God.

Verse from Numbers

“愿耶和华赐福你，保护你；”

‭‭民数记‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭

“The Lord bless you and keep you;”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6:24‬ ‭

In 1979, Dr. Gabriel Barkay and his team discovered two silver scrolls in a burial ground outside the Old City of Jerusalem. In 2004, after twenty-five years of careful research, scholars confirmed that the scrolls were the oldest biblical text in existence, having been buried in 600 bc. What I find particularly moving is what the scrolls contain—the priestly blessing that God wanted spoken over His people: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you” (Numbers 6:24–25).

In giving this benediction, God showed Aaron and his sons (through Moses) how to bless the people on His behalf. The leaders were to memorize the words in the form God gave so they would speak to them just as God desired. Note how these words emphasize that God is the one who blesses, for three times they say, “the Lord.” And six times He says, “you,” reflecting just how much God wants His people to receive His love and favor.

Ponder for a moment that the oldest existing fragments of the Bible tell of God’s desire to bless. What a reminder of God’s boundless love and how He wants to be in a relationship with us. If you feel far from God today, hold tightly to the promise in these ancient words. May the Lord bless you; may the Lord keep you.

Verse from Ephesians

“使基督借着你们的信，住在你们心里，使你们既然在爱中扎根建基，”

‭‭以弗所书‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭

Jesus pulls our lives from the ashes and becomes for us a place of belonging. When we receive Him, He makes His home in our hearts (Ephesians 3:17). God adopts us into His family through Jesus so that we belong to Him (1:5–6). Although we’ll go through painful times, He can use even those to bring good purposes in our lives.

Daily we have opportunity to grow in our understanding of God as we enjoy His love and celebrate what He’s given us. In Him, there’s a fullness to life that we couldn’t have without Him (3:19). And we have the promise that this relationship will last forever. Jesus is our place of belonging, our reason to celebrate life, and our hope now and forever.

Verse from Genesis

“你可以掌管我的家，我的人民都要听从你的话；只有在王位上我比你大。””

‭‭创世记‬ ‭41:40‬ ‭

“You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41:40‬ ‭

Geoff is a youth pastor today in the same city where he once abused heroin. God transformed both his heart and his circumstances in a breathtaking way. “I want to keep kids from making the same mistakes and suffering the pain I went through,” Geoff said. “And Jesus will help them.” Over time, God set him free from the slavery of addiction and has given him a vital ministry in spite of his past.

God has ways of bringing unexpected good out of situations where hope seems lost. Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt and falsely accused and sent to prison, where he was forgotten for years. But God restored him and placed him in a position of authority directly under Pharaoh, where he was able to save many lives—including the lives of his brothers who’d abandoned him. 

There in Egypt Joseph married and had children. He named the second Ephraim (drawn from the Hebrew term for “twice fruitful”), and gave this reason: “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering” (Genesis 41:52).

Geoff’s and Joseph’s stories, while separated by three to four thousand years, point to the same unchanging truth: even the hardest places in our lives can become fertile ground for God to help and bless many. Our Savior’s love and power never change, and He’s always faithful to those who trust in Him.

When have you seen God bring something good out of difficulty in your life? How can you use your past problems to encourage others today?

All-powerful Father,

I praise You that nothing is too hard for You! 

Thank You for Your perfect faithfulness, today and forever.

Verse from 2 Kings

“以利沙祷告，说：“耶和华啊！请你打开他的眼睛，使他能看见。”于是耶和华打开了仆人的眼睛，他就看见；看哪！那山上布满了火马火车，围绕着以利沙。”

‭‭列王纪下‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭

“And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭

In C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, all of Narnia is thrilled when the mighty lion Aslan reappears after a long absence. Their joy turns to sorrow, however, when Aslan concedes to a demand made by the evil White Witch. Faced with Aslan’s apparent defeat, the Narnians experience his power when he emits an earsplitting roar that causes the witch to flee in terror. Although all seems to have been lost, Aslan ultimately proves to be greater than the villainous witch.

Like Aslan’s followers in Lewis’ allegory, Elisha’s servant despaired when he got up one morning to see himself and Elisha surrounded by an enemy army. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” he exclaimed (2 Kings 6:15). The prophet’s response was calm: “Don’t be afraid . . . . Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (v. 16). 

Elisha then prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see” (v. 17). So, “the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (v. 17). Although things at first seemed bleak to the servant’s eye, God’s power ultimately proved greater than the enemy horde.

Our difficult circumstances may lead us to believe all is lost, but God desires to open our eyes and reveal that He is greater.

Thank You, God, for Your faithfulness.

Verse from 1 Peter

“讲道的，应当按着神的圣言讲；服事的，应当按着神所赐的力量服事，为要在一切事上，使神藉耶稣基督得荣耀。荣耀、权能都是他的，直到永永远远。阿们。”

‭‭彼得前书‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭

“Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭

On a hot day in western Texas, Vania saw a woman standing by a stoplight and holding up a sign. As she drove closer, she tried to read what the sign said, assuming it was a request for food or money. Instead, she was surprised to see these three words:

                      “You Have Purpose”

God has created each of us for a specific purpose. Primarily that purpose is to bring honor to Him, and one way we do that is by meeting the needs of others (1 Peter 4:10–11).

A mother of young children may find purpose in wiping runny noses and telling her kids about Jesus. An employee in an unsatisfying job might find his purpose in doing his work conscientiously, remembering it is the Lord he is serving (Col. 3:23–24). A woman who has lost her sight still finds purpose in praying for her children and grandchildren and influencing them to trust God.

Psalm 139 says that before we were born “all the days ordained for [us] were written in [His] book" (v. 16). We are “fearfully and wonderfully made” to bring glory to our Creator (v. 14).

Never forget: You have purpose!

Lord, 

it often seems that our lives swing from drudgery to challenges we don’t want. 

Today help us to see You in the midst of whatever faces us. 

Show us a small glimpse of the purpose and meaning You bring to everything.

Even when everything seems meaningless, God still has a purpose for your life.

Verse from Matthew

“我吩咐你们的一切，都要教导他们遵守。这样，我就常常与你们同在，直到这世代的终结。””

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭28:20‬ ‭

“and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:20‬ ‭

Knowing He was about to return to heaven, Jesus comforted His disciples by assuring them He’d always be with them, through the presence of His Spirit (v. 20; John 14:16–18). 

Christ’s Spirit would comfort, guide, protect, and empower them as they took the message of Jesus to cities both near and far. And when they experienced periods of intense loneliness in unfamiliar places, Christ’s words would likely echo in their ears, a reminder of His presence with them.

No matter where we go, whether close to home or faraway, as we follow Jesus into the unknown we too can cling to this same promise. Even when we experience feelings of loneliness, as we reach out in prayer to Jesus, we can receive comfort knowing He’s with us.

Verse from Ephesians

“凡事谦虚、温柔、忍耐，用爱心彼此宽容；”

‭‭以弗所书‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭

“with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:2‬ ‭

When public debate erupted over a controversial Singapore law, it divided believers with differing views. Some called others “narrow-minded” or accused them of compromising their faith.

Controversies can cause sharp divisions among God’s family, bringing much hurt and discouraging people. Are we just disagreeing with views or seeking to tear down the people behind them?

Yet there are times when we need to address false teaching or explain our stand. Ephesians 4:2–6 reminds us to do so with humility, gentleness, patience, and love. And, above all else, to make every effort “to keep the unity of the Spirit” (v. 3).

Some controversies will remain unresolved. God’s Word, however, reminds us that our goal should always be to build up people’s faith, not tear them down (v. 29). 

Are we putting others down to win an argument? Or are we allowing God to help us understand His truths in His time and His way, remembering that we share one faith in one Lord? (vv. 4–6).

God, 

guide us as we speak the truth so that we do so out of love and seek only to build up, not to tear down.

Verse from 1 John

“孩子们，你们是属于神的，并且已经胜过他们，因为那在你们里面的比那在世上的更大。”

‭‭约翰壹书‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:4‬ ‭

Consider Satan’s temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1–11). He countered his enticements with the Scriptures. With each answer, Jesus reminded Himself that God had spoken on this issue and therefore He wouldn’t disobey. This caused the devil to flee.

Although Satan wants to devour us, it’s good to remember that he’s a created being like the little rodent. John said, “the one who is in [us] is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Verse from Psalms

“我曾对耶和华说：“你是我的主，我的好处不在你以外。””

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭16:2‬ ‭

“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing.””

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭16:2‬ 

David poured out his emotions, often with great vulnerability, and sought refuge in the presence of God (Psalm 16:1). Acknowledging God as provider and protector (vv. 5–6), he praised Him and followed His counsel (v. 7). David affirmed that he would “not be shaken” because he kept his eyes “always on the Lord” (v. 8). So, he rejoiced and rested secure in the joy of God’s presence (vv. 9–11).

We too can delight in knowing our peace doesn’t depend on our present situation. As we thank our unchanging God for who He is and always will be, His presence will fuel our steadfast faith.

Verse from Habakkuk

“你这为自己的家积聚不义之财，在高处搭窝, 以逃避灾害的，有祸了！”

‭‭哈巴谷书‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭

““Woe to him who gets evil gain for his house To put his nest on high, To be delivered from the hand of calamity!”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭

In our "dog eat dog" world, in our race to get to the top and leave all our rivals in a heap at the bottom, God tells us both "Whoa!" and "Woe!" 

He tells us to stop and realize that Kingdom values are different from worldly values — that there is no success without service. 

He also warns us that He will bring us to ruin if we ignore His values by placing ourselves above the well-being of others or pursuing our own success at the cost of our ethics.

Verse from Isaiah

“耶和华说：“你们来，我们彼此辩论；你们的罪虽像朱红，必变成雪白；虽红如丹颜，必白如羊毛。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭

““Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭

In the seventeenth century, Sir Isaac Newton used a prism to study how light helps us see different colors. He found that when light passes through an object, the object appears to possess a specific color. While a single ice crystal looks translucent, snow is made up of many ice crystals smashed together. When light passes through all of the crystals, snow appears to be white.

The Bible mentions something else that has a certain color—sin. Through the prophet Isaiah, God confronted the sins of the people of Judah and described their sin as “like scarlet” and as “red as crimson.” But God promised they would “be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18). How? Judah needed to turn away from wrongdoing and seek God’s forgiveness.

Thanks to Jesus, we have permanent access to God’s forgiveness. Jesus called Himself “the light of the world” and said whoever follows Him “will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). When we confess our sins, God forgives us and we’re seen through the light of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This means that God sees us as He sees Jesus—blameless.

We don’t have to wallow in the guilt and shame of what we’ve done wrong. Instead, we can hold on to the truth of God’s forgiveness, which makes us “white as snow.”

Verse from Proverbs

“你的朋友和你父亲的朋友, 你都不可离弃；在你遭遇患难的日子, 不可进你兄弟的家。在附近的邻舍胜过在远方的兄弟。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭27:10‬ ‭

“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you— better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:10‬ ‭

Being in relationship with those who live nearby was important long ago in the days of King Solomon (Proverbs 27:10). Relatives might care deeply for their family members and desire to be of help in such circumstances. But if they’re far away, there’s little they can do in the moments when calamity strikes. 

Neighbors, however, because they’re close by, are likely to know of the need quickly and can assist more readily.

Because technology has made it easier than ever to remain connected with loved ones across the globe, we may be tempted to overlook those living nearby. 

May God help us to invest in relationships with our neighbors. 

Verse from Romans

“要与喜乐的人一同喜乐，与哀哭的人一同哀哭。”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭

The church, the family of God, is where all of life can be shared—the good and not-so-good. The New Testament words “one another” are used to capture our interdependence. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. . . . Live in harmony with one another” (Romans 12:10, 16). The extent of our connectedness is expressed in verse 15.

While the depth and scope of our pain may pale in comparison with those worse than ours, it’s nonetheless personal and real. And, with our pain, because of what God has done for us it can be embraced and shared for the comfort and good of others.

Verse from Psalms

“因为他知道我们的本体，记得我们不过是尘土。”
‭‭诗篇‬ ‭103:14‬ ‭

“For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭103:14‬ ‭

David writes of our God who is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love” (v. 8). He then continues by invoking the image of an earthly father who “has compassion on his children,” and even more so “the Lord has compassion on those who fear him” (v. 13).

God our Father “knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (v. 14). He knows we’re small and fragile.

We often fail and are overwhelmed by what this big world hands us. What an amazing assurance to know of our Father’s patient, ever-present, abounding love.

Thank You for being our patient, present Father who remembers who and what we are.

Verse from Psalms

“神啊！你受的赞美，就像你的名一样，达到地极；你的右手满了公义。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭

“As is Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭48:10‬ ‭

You can generally tell where a map was drawn by what lies in its middle. We tend to think our home is the center of the world, so we put a dot in the middle and sketch out from there. Nearby towns might be fifty miles to the north or half a day’s drive to the south, but all are described in relation to where we are. The Psalms draw their “map” from God’s earthly home in the Old Testament, so the center of biblical geography is Jerusalem.

Psalm 48 is one of many psalms that praise Jerusalem. This “city of our God, his holy mountain” is “beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth” (vv. 1–2). Because “God is in her citadels,” He “makes her secure forever” (vv. 3, 8). God’s fame begins in Jerusalem’s temple and spreads outward to “the ends of the earth” (vv. 9–10).

Unless you’re reading this in Jerusalem, your home is not in the center of the biblical world. Yet your region matters immensely, because God will not rest until His praise reaches “to the ends of the earth” (v. 10). Would you like to be part of the way God reaches His goal? 

Worship each week with God’s people, and openly live each day for His glory. God’s fame extends “to the ends of the earth” when we devote all that we are and have to Him.

Verse from 1 Corinthians

“所以，你们或吃喝，或作甚么，一切都要为　神的荣耀而行。”

‭‭哥林多前书‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭

“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:31‬ ‭

Paul reminded the church in Colossae that they were to live in a way that glorified God. Ultimately, what they specifically did on a day-to-day basis was not as important as how they did it. They were to do their work with “compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12), to be forgiving, and above all to love (vv. 13–14) and to “do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 17). Their work wasn’t to be separated from Christlike living.

What we do matters, but how we do it, why, and who we do it for matters more. Each day we can choose to work in a stressed-out way or in a way that honors God and seeks out the meaning Jesus adds to our work. When we pursue the latter, we find satisfaction.

Verse from Lamentations

“锡安居民 的长老都坐在地上，默默无声；他们把尘灰撒在头上，腰束麻布。耶路撒冷的处女都垂头至地。”

‭‭耶利米哀歌‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭

“The elders of Daughter Zion sit on the ground in silence; they have sprinkled dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭

The prophet Jeremiah kept a record of his pain. In the grim book of Lamentations, he wrote of atrocities done to Judah by the Babylonian army. Jeremiah’s heart was especially grieved for the youngest victims. “My heart is poured out on the ground,” he cried, “because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city” (2:11). 

The people of Judah had a history of ignoring God, but their children were paying the price too. “Their lives ebb away in their mothers’ arms,” wrote Jeremiah (v. 12).

We might have expected Jeremiah to reject God in the face of such suffering. Instead, he urged the survivors, “Pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children” (v. 19).

It’s good, as Jeremiah did, to pour out our hearts to God. Lament is a crucial part of being human. Even when God permits such pain, He grieves with us. 

Verse from Isaiah

“疲乏的，他赐气力，无力的，他加力量。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭40:29‬ ‭

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

When you’re feeling invisible or disregarded, remember that God does see you and He cares. Wait on Him, and He’ll give you renewed strength.

Even when we don’t sense God’s presence, His loving care is all around us.

Verse from Numbers

“摩西照着耶和华的命令，把他们出发的路程记下来，他们出发的路程是这样：”

‭‭民数记‬ ‭33:2‬ ‭

“Moses recorded their starting places according to their journeys by the command of the Lord, and these are their journeys according to their starting places.”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭33:2‬ ‭

Numbers 33 is a chapter in the Bible we might pass by without reflection. It appears to be nothing more than a long list of places tracing Israel's pilgrimage from Rameses in Egypt to their arrival in the plains of Moab. But it must be important because it’s the only section in Numbers that follows with the words: “At the Lord’s command Moses recorded . . .” (v. 2).

Why keep a record of this? Could it be that this list provides a framework upon which the Israelites emerging from the wilderness could retrace that forty-year journey in their thoughts and recall God's faithfulness at each location?

Envision an Israelite father, sitting near a campfire, reminiscing with his son: “I will never forget Rephidim! I was dying of thirst, nothing but sand and sage for hundreds of miles. Then God directed Moses to take his staff and strike a rock—actually a hard slab of flint. I thought, What a futile gesture; he’ll never get anything out of that stone. But to my amazement water gushed out of that rock! A generous flow that satisfied the thirst of the thousands of Israelites. I’ll never forget that day!” (see Ps. 114:8; Num. 20:8–13; 33:14).

So why not give it a try? Reflect on your life—stage by stage—and remember all the ways God has shown you His faithful, covenant love.

Count your many blessings, name them one by one. Johnson Oatman Jr.

Verse from Jonah

“约拿从鱼腹中向耶和华他的神祷告，说：“我从患难中求告耶和华，他就应允我；我从阴间的深府呼求，你就垂听我的声音。”

‭‭约拿书‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, and he said, “I called out of my distress to the Lord, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.”

‭‭Jonah‬ ‭2:1-2‬ ‭

Jonah was disobedient, rebellious, and selfish. He had run from the Lord. He had shunned the Lord's command. He had endangered the lives of those on the ship where he had tried to hide. Yet even in the middle of his rebellion, God heard his cry and delivered him. 

If you are in rebellion, if you are seeking to hide some secret and all-consuming sin, please know the Lord wants to ransom and redeem you! Things won't be easy, but coming back to the Lord means ultimate redemption and deliverance.

Verse from Isaiah

“为锡安悲哀的人穿上装饰，赐给他们华冠代替灰尘，喜乐油代替悲哀, 赞美衣代替沮丧的灵，他们必称为公义的橡树，是耶和华栽种的，好使他自己得着荣耀。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭61:3‬ ‭

“To grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, The oil of gladness instead of mourning, The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭61:3‬ ‭

Sometimes we view problems without the imagination it takes to have faith. We expect pain, fear, and despair to greet us every morning, but overlook the possibility of something different ever happening. We don’t expect recovery, growth, or victory through God’s power. 

Yet the Bible says God is the one who helps us through difficult times. He repairs broken hearts and liberates people in bondage. He comforts the grieving with “a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:3).

It isn’t that God just wants to cheer us up when we have problems. It’s that He Himself is our hope during trials. Even if we have to wait for heaven to find ultimate relief, God is present with us, encouraging us and often giving us glimpses of Himself. In our journey through life, may we come to understand St. Augustine’s words: “In my deepest wound I saw your glory, and it dazzled me.”

How can you turn to God when you’re in trouble? 

What rewards can come from this practice?

Faithful God, 

give me the faith I need to make it through today and help me to see You at work as I face adversity.

Verse from 1 Thessalonians

“要常常喜乐，不住祷告，凡事谢恩；这就是　神在基督耶稣里给你们的旨意。”

‭‭帖撒罗尼迦前书‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16-18‬ ‭

Technology today seems to demand our constant attention. The modern “miracle” of the internet gives us the amazing capacity to access humanity’s collective learning in the palm of our hand. But for many, such constant access can come at a cost.

Writer Linda Stone has coined the phrase “continual partial attention” to describe the modern impulse to always need to know what’s happening “out there,” to make sure we’re not missing anything. If that sounds like it could produce chronic anxiety, you’re right!

Although the apostle Paul struggled with different reasons for anxiety, he knew our souls are wired to find peace in God. Which is why, in a letter to new believers who’d endured persecution (1 Thessalonians 2:14), Paul concluded by urging the believers to “rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances” (5:16–18).

Praying “continually” might seem pretty daunting. But then, how often do we check our phones? What if we instead let that urge be a prompt to talk to God? 

More important, what if we learned to exchange a need to always be in “the know” for continual, prayerful rest in God’s presence? Through relying on Christ’s Spirit, we can learn to give our heavenly Father our continual full attention as we make our way through each day.

Father, 

thank You for inviting us into a relationship with You, one in which You long to hear from us continually.