Verse from Lamentations

“耶和华的慈爱永不断绝，他的怜悯永不止息。 每天早晨都是新的；你的信实多么广大！”

‭‭耶利米哀歌‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

‭‭Lamentations‬ ‭3:22-23‬ ‭

Whatever you’re facing, know that God is faithful every morning. He renews our strength day by day and gives us hope. And sometimes, He brings relief.

When our souls are downcast within us (v. 20), may we call to mind the promises of God that His mercies are new every morning

Verse from Galatians

“我已经与基督同钉十字架；现在活着的，不再是我，而是基督活在我里面；如今在肉身中活着的我，是因信神的儿子而活的；他爱我，为我舍己。”

‭‭加拉太书‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭2:20‬ ‭

Paul, in essence, said to the Galatian believers: You can’t walk the line of living a life that is pleasing to God apart from faith in Christ. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to! No amount of attempting to earn our way to God will ever cut it. So are we passive in our salvation? No! Our invitation is to cling to Christ. 

Clinging to Jesus means putting to death an old, independent way of living; it’s as if we ourselves have died. Yet, we go on living. But “the life [we] now live in the body, [we] live by faith in the Son of God, who loved [us] and gave himself for [us]” (Galatians 2:20).

Where are we trying to walk the tightrope today? God hasn’t called us to walk out on the rope to Him; He’s called us to cling to Him and walk this life with Him

Verse from Matthew

“好使你的施舍是在隐密中行的。你父在隐密中察看，必定报答你。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭

“so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭

When Denise met a hurting young woman in her church, her heart went out to her and she decided to see if she could help. Every week she spent time counseling her and praying with her. Denise became her mentor. 

However, some church leaders didn’t notice Denise’s efforts and decided to assign a church staff member to mentor the woman. No one, they commented, seemed to be taking care of her.

While she was not expecting any credit, Denise couldn’t help but feel a little discouraged. It felt like she had not done anything at all.

One day, however, the young woman told Denise how grateful she was for her comfort. Denise felt encouraged. It was as if God was telling her, “I know you’re there for her.” Denise still meets with the woman regularly.

We can take heart that God knows when we’re faithful in serving Him and others.

Verse from Ezekiel

“我要使我的大名显为圣，这名在列邦中已经被亵渎了，是你们在他们中间所亵渎的。我在你们身上向他们显为圣的时候，他们就知道我是耶和华。这是主耶和华的宣告。”

‭‭以西结书‬ ‭36:23‬ ‭

“I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭36:23‬ ‭

God can and will use us even though we are not worthy vessels for Him to use. Scripture gives us many examples of people God used who did not come up to His moral and holy requirements — for example, think a little about Samson or most of the other Judges. 

God will be revealed as the holy, mighty, and awesome God that He is. So let's not be unwilling tools in His hands. Instead, let's offer ourselves to His for His service and His glory.

Verses from Ecclesiastes

 “二人胜过一人，因为他们一起的劳碌有美好的酬报。如果一个跌倒，另一个可以把他的同伴扶起来。但一人孤身跌倒，没有别人把他扶起来，他就悲惨了。”

‭‭传道书‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭

Often attributed to King Solomon, the book of Ecclesiastes captures the sorrow of those who seem to lack any meaningful relationships (4:7–8). The speaker lamented that it’s possible to acquire significant wealth and yet experience no value from it because there’s no one to share it with.

But the speaker also recognized the beauty of companionship, writing that friends help you accomplish more than you could achieve on your own (v. 9); companions help in times of need (v. 10); partners bring comfort (v. 11); and friends can provide protection in difficult situations (v. 12).

Loneliness is a significant struggle—God created us to offer and receive the benefits of friendship and community. If you’re feeling alone, pray that God would help you form meaningful connections with others. In the meantime, find encouragement in the reality that the believer is never truly alone because Jesus’ Spirit is always with us (Matthew 28:20).

Verse from Matthew

“照样，你们的光也应当照在人前，让他们看见你们的好行为，又颂赞你们在天上的父。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭

All God’s children have the privilege of being light-sharers powered by the Holy Spirit. We’re designed to live as radiant beacons of God’s everlasting hope and unconditional love. When we’re sharing the gospel and serving others in the name of Jesus, we become brilliant spotlights and living testimonies. 

Every good deed, kind smile, gentle word of encouragement, and heartfelt prayer produces a beaming reminder of God’s faithfulness and His unconditional and life-transforming love (Matthew 5:14–16).

Wherever God leads us, and however we serve Him, we can be used by Him to help others shine His light. As God, by His Spirit, provides the true illumination, we can reflect the light and love of His presence.

Verse from Romans

 “因为神预先知道的人，他就预先命定他们和他儿子的形象一模一样，使他的儿子在许多弟兄中作长子，”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭

“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:29‬ ‭

Unlike Stoic philosophy, which advocated responding to suffering by submitting to fate, in Romans 8 Paul emphasizes God’s love and power working on behalf of His people even in the midst of hardships. 

Although God can bring good out of suffering and evil in this lifetime, Paul focuses primarily on the ultimate good to come in the future with God’s final and complete redemption of the cosmos (vv. 18–21), as well as transformation into Christ’s image and likeness (v. 29) through the work of the Spirit.

Verse from 2 Peter

“借着这些，他把又宝贵又极大的应许赐给了我们，好叫你们既然逃脱世上因私欲而来的败坏，就可以分享神的本性。”

‭‭彼得后书‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭

“Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.”

‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭

In our moments of greatest failure, it can be easy to believe it’s too late for us, that we’ve lost our chance at a life of purpose and worth. That’s how Elias, a former inmate at a maximum-security prison in New York, described feeling as a prisoner. “I had broken . . . promises, the promise of my own future, the promise of what I could be.”

It was Bard College’s “Prison Initiative” college degree program that began to transform Elias’ life. While in the program, he participated on a debate team, which in 2015 debated a team from Harvard—and won. For Elias, being “part of the team . . . [was] a way of proving that these promises weren’t completely lost.”

A similar transformation happens in our hearts when we begin to understand that the good news of God’s love in Jesus is good news for us too. It’s not too late, we begin to realize with wonder. God still has a future for me.

And it’s a future that can neither be earned nor forfeited, dependent only on God’s extravagant grace and power (2 Peter 1:2–3). A future where we’re set free from the despair in the world and in our hearts into one filled with His “glory and goodness” (v. 3). A future secure in Christ’s unimaginable promises (v. 4); and a future transformed into the “freedom and glory of the children of God” (Romans 8:21).

Verse from 2 Timothy

“所以，我儿啊，你应当在基督耶稣的恩典里刚强起来，”

‭‭提摩太后书‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭

“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭

During the American Civil War, the penalty for desertion was execution. But the Union armies rarely executed deserters because their commander-in-chief, Abraham Lincoln, pardoned nearly all of them. This infuriated Edwin Stanton, the Secretary of War, who believed that Lincoln’s leniency only enticed would-be deserters. 

But Lincoln empathized with soldiers who had lost their nerve and who had given in to their fear in the heat of battle. And his empathy endeared him to his soldiers. They loved their “Father Abraham,” and their affection led the soldiers to want to serve Lincoln all the more.

When Paul calls Timothy to join him in “suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3), he calls him to a tough job description. A soldier is to be completely dedicated, hard-working, and selfless. He’s to serve his commanding officer, Jesus, wholeheartedly. 

But in reality, we sometimes fail to be His good soldiers. We don’t always serve Him faithfully. Our Savior is full of grace. He empathizes with our weaknesses and forgives our failures (Hebrews 4:15). 

And just as the Union soldiers were encouraged by Lincoln’s compassion, so believers are strengthened by the grace of Jesus. We want to serve Him all the more because we know He loves us.

Verse from Ezekiel

““人子啊！你要对推罗的君王说：‘主耶和华这样说：因为你心里高傲，说：我是神；我在海的中心、 坐在神的宝座上。其实你不过是人, 并不是神， 你心里却自以为是神。”

‭‭以西结书‬ ‭28:2‬ ‭

““Son of man, say to the ruler of Tyre, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “ ‘In the pride of your heart you say, “I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas.” But you are a mere mortal and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭28:2‬ ‭

In Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis recommended asking ourselves some questions to find out if we’re proud: “How much do I dislike it when other people snub me, or refuse to take any notice of me, . . . or patronize me, or show off?” Lewis saw pride as a vice of the “utmost evil” and the chief cause of misery in homes and nations. He called it a “spiritual cancer” that eats up the very possibility of love, contentment, and even common sense.

Pride has been a problem throughout the ages. Through the prophet Ezekiel, God warned the leader of the powerful coastal city of Tyre against his pride. He said the king’s pride would result in his downfall: “Because you think you are . . . as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you” (Ezekiel 28:6–7). Then he would know he wasn’t a god, but a mortal (v. 9).

In contrast to pride is humility, which Lewis named as a virtue we receive through knowing God. Lewis said that as we get in touch with Him, we become “delightedly humble,” feeling relieved to be rid of the silly nonsense about our own dignity that previously made us restless and unhappy.

The more we worship God, the more we’ll know Him and the more we can humble ourselves before Him. May we be those who love and serve with joy and humility.

Verse from Psalms

“你们要赞美耶和华。歌颂我们的神，这是多么美善，赞美他，这是美好的，是合宜的。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭147:1‬ ‭

“Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:1‬ ‭

Throughout the Scriptures, in fact, God’s people are urged to lift their voices in songs of praise to Him. “Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things” (Isaiah 12:5). “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:3). 

Our singing inspires us but also those who hear it. May we all remember: our God is great and worthy of praise.

Verse from Isaiah

“你们又在两道城墙之间造一个水池，用来盛载旧池的水，你们却不仰望作这事的主，也不顾念远古以来计划这事的神。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭22:11‬ ‭

“You built a reservoir between the two walls for the water of the Old Pool, but you did not look to the One who made it, or have regard for the One who planned it long ago.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭22:11‬ ‭

In Isaiah’s day, Jerusalem turned to desperate measures when the Assyrian army threatened them. Creating a water storage system to endure the siege, the people also tore down houses to shore up the city walls. Such tactics may have been prudent, but they neglected the most important step - looking to God (Isaiah 22:11).

We aren’t likely to encounter a literal army outside our homes today. “The batterings always come in commonplace ways and through commonplace people,” said Oswald Chambers. Yet, such “batterings” are genuine threats. Thankfully, they also bring with them God’s invitation to turn to Him first for what we need.

When life’s irritations and interruptions come, will we see them as opportunities to turn to God? Or will we seek our own desperate solutions?

Verse from Romans

“不要模仿这个世代，倒要借着心意的更新而改变过来，使你们可以察验出甚么是神的旨意，就是察验出甚么是美好的、蒙他悦纳的和完全的事。”

‭‭罗马书‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭

All of us are shaped by the cultural values that surround us, usually without us ever noticing. Paul calls this cultural force the “world” (Romans 12:2). 

Here, “world” doesn’t mean the physical universe, but rather refers to the ways of thinking pervading our existence. It refers to the unquestioned assumptions and guiding ideals handed to us simply because we live in a particular place and time.

Paul warns us to be vigilant to “not conform to the pattern of this world.” Instead, we must be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (v. 2). Rather than passively taking on the ways of thinking and believing that engulf us, we’re called to actively pursue God’s way of thinking and to learn how to understand His “good, pleasing and perfect will” (v. 2). 

May we learn to follow God rather than every other voice.

Verse from Colossians

“这爱子是那看不见的神的形象, 是首先的，在一切被造的之上。”

‭‭歌罗西书‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭1:15‬ ‭

There’s only one Son—Jesus—who reflects His Father completely. In Him and through Him and for Him all things were created (v. 16). “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (v. 17).

We can spend time in prayer and Bible study, discovering the Father’s character by looking at Jesus—God in the flesh. He invites us to witness His love in action by examining how He interacts with others in Scripture and in our day-to-day living. 

After surrendering our lives to Christ and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in knowing and trusting our loving Father. He transforms us to reflect His character, so we can live for Him.

What a joy it would be if others could say we look just like Jesus!

Verse from Psalms

“我曾求问耶和华，他应允了我，救我脱离一切恐惧。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭34:4‬ ‭

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:4‬ ‭

The psalmist David was certainly in dire straits. He was being pursued by jealous King Saul who sought to kill him. And so he fled to the city of Gath, where he pretended to be insane in order to preserve his life (see 1 Samuel 21). Out of those events emerged Psalm 34, where David cried out in prayer to God and found peace (vv. 4, 6). God heard his pleas and delivered him. 

Are you in a desperate situation and crying out for help? Be assured that God still hears and responds to our desperate prayers today. As with David, He’s attentive to our distress calls and takes away our fears (v. 4)—and sometimes even saves us “out of [our] troubles” (v. 6). 

Scripture invites us to “cast [our] cares on the Lord and he will sustain [us]” (Psalm 55:22). When we turn our difficult circumstances over to God, we can trust that He’ll provide the help we need. We’re secure in His capable hands. 

Verse from Isaiah

““看哪！我要作一件新的事；现在它要发生了，难道你们还不知道吗？我要在旷野开一条道路， 在荒地开挖江河。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭

God wanted His people to recall the past but not let it overshadow His current involvement in their lives (v. 18). He said, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness” (v. 19).

While looking to the past can bolster our faith in God’s provision, living in the past can blind us to all the fresh work of God’s Spirit today. We can ask God to show us how He’s currently moving—helping, remaking, and sustaining His people. 

Verse from Revelation

“因为他的审判是真实公义的。他审判了那大淫妇，那以淫乱败坏了世界的；并且为他的仆人向淫妇伸了流血的冤。””

‭‭启示录‬ ‭19:2‬ ‭

“for true and just are His judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of His servants.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭19:2‬ ‭

Who is the “great prostitute” who’s condemned in Revelation 19:2? It’s clear from Revelation 17:1–6, 15–16 that the prostitute is Babylon. However, this naturally raises the question: what is Babylon? Babylon is the world system that has “corrupted the earth” and killed God’s true servants (19:2). 

It’s a way of life—both cultural and political—at war with scriptural principles, with God-fearing people, and with God Himself. Not to be missed in the chapter is the contrast between the “great prostitute” and the true bride of Christ—the church. 

It’s this “bride” that’s the target of so much persecution. Revelation 19 celebrates the final judgment of the world system that opposes God.

Verse from Psalms

“你要在耶和华面前静默无声，耐心地等候他；不要因那凡事顺利的，和那恶谋得逞的，心怀不平。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭37:7‬ ‭

“Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not get upset because of one who is successful in his way, Because of the person who carries out wicked schemes.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37:7‬ ‭

A group of workers were cutting ice out of a frozen lake and storing it in an icehouse when one of them realized he’d lost his watch in the windowless building. He and his friends searched for it in vain. 

After they gave up, a young boy who’d seen them exit went into the building. Soon, he emerged with the watch. Asked how he’d found it, he replied: “I just sat down and kept quiet, and soon I could hear it ticking.” 

The Bible talks much about the value of being still. And no wonder, for God sometimes speaks in a whisper (1 Kings 19:12). In the busyness of life, it can be hard to hear Him. But if we stop rushing about and spend some quiet time with Him and the Scriptures, we may hear His gentle voice in our thoughts. 

Psalm 37:1–7 assures us that we can trust God to rescue us from the “wicked schemes” of evil people, give us refuge, and help us stay faithful. But how can we do this when turmoil is all around us? 

Verse 7 suggests: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” We could start by learning to keep silent for a few minutes after prayer. Or by quietly reading the Bible and letting the words soak into our hearts. And then, perhaps, we’ll hear His wisdom speaking to us, quiet and steady as a ticking watch.

Verses from 1 Corinthians

“虽然有被称为神的，无论在天上或在地上 ， 然而我们只有一位神，就是父；万物都是从他而来，我们也为了他而活。我们也只有一位主，就是耶稣基督；万物都是借着他而有的，我们也是借着他而有的。”

‭‭哥林多前书‬ ‭8:5-6‬ ‭

“For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭8:5-6‬ ‭

Worship is our response to what we value most. Worship is about saying, “This person, this thing, this experience is what matters most to me...it’s the thing I put first in my life.”

That “thing” might be a relationship. A dream. Friends. Status. Stuff. A name. Some kind of pleasure. Whatever name you put on it, this thing or person is what you’ve concluded in your heart is worth most to you. And whatever is worth most to you is what you worship.

Some of us attend the church on the corner, professing to worship the Living God above all. Others who rarely step inside the church doors would say worship isn’t a part of their lives because they aren’t “religious.” But everybody has an altar. And every altar has a throne.

So how do you know where and what you worship?

It’s easy. You simply follow the trail of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your loyalty. At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever, is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what you worship.

Sure, not too many of us walk around saying, “I worship my stuff. I worship my Xbox. I worship my job. I worship this pleasure. I worship her. I worship my body. I worship me!”

But the trail never lies. We may say we value this thing or that thing more than any other, but the volume of our actions speaks louder than our words. In the end, our worship is more about what we do than what we say.

Worship is the activity of the human soul. So not only do all people worship, but they worship all the time. Worship isn’t just a Sunday thing. It’s an all-the-time thing.

If a stranger looked over your actions and words from the last 24 hours, what might he or she conclude that you worship?

Verse from Hebrews

“因为神的道是活的，是有效的，比一切两刃的剑更锋利，甚至可以刺入剖开魂与灵，关节与骨髓，并且能够辨明心中的思想和意念。”

‭‭希伯来书‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

Hebrews 4:12–13 has long been interpreted as referring to the Bible itself. And it’s certainly true that God’s Word is “alive and active.” But when we consider that in John 1:1–14 Jesus Himself is called the Word, we gain a fuller comprehension of how this Word can judge the “thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

As we become aware of God’s intimate knowledge of our hearts and motives, we might find that awareness intimidating. Yet this knowledge isn’t intended to drive us from God’s presence but rather to draw us to Him. In this same context of Hebrews 4, the writer points to Jesus, our “great high priest who has ascended into heaven” (v. 14). We may draw close to Him because He can “empathize with our weaknesses” (v. 15) and has Himself made the way for us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence” (v. 16).

Jesus died to give us access to God’s presence, all the time. And while we all know it’s not wise to share everything with everyone, we also know that God intends His church be a place where we can live unapologetically as broken and forgiven followers of Christ. It’s to be a place where we “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).

What are you hiding from others today? And how are you trying to hide from God as well? God sees us through Jesus. And He still loves us. Will we let Him?

As we learn to be increasingly open and honest with God, who knows every hidden corner of our hearts, we also gain confidence to be transparent with each other.

Who will you prayerfully consider letting help you carry your burdens?

Verse from Job

“我能用口鼓励你们， 我嘴唇的安慰，能缓和你们的痛苦。”

‭‭约伯记‬ ‭16:5‬ ‭

But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. (‭Job‬ ‭16‬:‭5‬)

Caleb was sick. Really sick! Diagnosed with a nervous system disease, the 5-year-old suffered from temporary paralysis. His anxious parents prayed. And waited. Slowly, Caleb began to recover. Months later, when doctors cleared him to attend school, all Caleb could manage was a slow, unsteady walk.

One day his dad visited him at school. He watched his son haltingly descend the steps to the playground. And then he saw Caleb’s young friend Tyler come alongside him. For the entire recess, as the other kids raced and romped and played, Tyler slowly walked the playground with his frail friend.

Job must have ached for a friend like Tyler. Instead, he had three friends who were certain he was guilty. “Who ever perished, being innocent?” asked Eliphaz (Job 4:7). Such accusations prompted Job to bitterly declare, “Miserable comforters are you all!” (16:2).

How unlike Jesus. On the eve of His crucifixion He took time to comfort His disciples. He promised them the Holy Spirit, who would be with them forever (John 14:16), and assured them, “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you” (v. 18). Then, just before He returned to His Father, He said, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20).

The One who died for us also walks with us, step by painstaking step.

Father, 

we tend to say too much to our hurting friends. Help us choose our words wisely. 

Teach us to walk slowly with those in pain, as You walk patiently with us.

Sometimes the best way to be like Jesus is to sit quietly with a hurting friend.

Verse from 1 Samuel

“大卫处境非常困难，因为众人都为自己的儿女心中苦恼，说要用石头打死大卫；但大卫靠着耶和华他的神坚强起来。”

‭‭撒母耳记上‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭

“David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭30:6‬ ‭

David once led his own recovery mission after an attack by the vicious Amalekites. Spurned by Philistine rulers, David and his army discovered the Amalekites had raided and burned down their town of Ziklag—taking captive “the women and everyone else in it,” including all their wives and children (1 Samuel 30:2–3). “So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep” (v. 4). The soldiers were so bitter with their leader David that they talked of “stoning him” (v. 6).

“But David found strength in the Lord his God” (v. 6). As God promised, David pursued the Amalekites and “recovered everything the Amalekites had taken . . . . Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back” (vv. 18–19). 

As we face spiritual attacks that “rob” us even of hope, may we find renewed strength in God. He will be with us in every challenge of life.

Verse from Ephesians

“你们从前是黑暗的，现今在主里却是光明的，行事为人就应当像光明的儿女。”

‭‭以弗所书‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭

In Ephesians 5:8, Paul reminded believers that they “were once darkness” but quickly noted, “but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.” Such is the call for every believer in Jesus. Children of light, like Ted, have much to offer those engulfed in this world’s darkness. “Fruitless deeds of darkness” are to be avoided (see vv. 3–4, 11). 

Those in our communities and throughout the world need the brilliant, distinctive witness of those upon whom Jesus has shined (v. 14). How distinctive? As different as light is from darkness.

Verse from Isaiah

“因为我，耶和华你们的神，紧握着你的右手， 对你说：“不要惧怕，我必帮助你。””

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭41:13‬ ‭

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭41:13‬ ‭

Harriet Tubman was one of the great American heroes of the nineteenth century. Showing remarkable courage, she guided more than three hundred fellow slaves to freedom after she first escaped slavery by crossing into free territory in the United States North. 

Not content to simply enjoy her own freedom, she ventured back into slave states nineteen times to lead friends, family, and strangers to freedom, sometimes guiding people on foot all the way to Canada.

What drove Tubman to such brave action? A woman of deep faith, she at one time said this: “I always told God, I’m going to hold steady on you, and you’ve got to see me through.” Her dependence on God’s guidance as she led people out of slavery was a hallmark of her success.

Harriet held tightly to God, and He saw her through. What challenges are you facing? Hold steady to God as He “takes hold” of your hand and your life. “Do not fear.” He will help you.

Verse from Psalms

“他们向你哀求，就得拯救；他们倚靠你，就不失望。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭22:5‬ ‭

“To You they cried out and they fled to safety; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭22:5‬ ‭

This Psalm of despair, referred to by Jesus from the Cross, is also a Psalm of hope and faith. The history of God's faithfulness with His people Israel is an ongoing reminder that we can trust him to deliver us. 

While in our human reckoning of time God's answer may be slow in coming, His track record in history reminds us that He will answer, deliver, and bless His people in His time. 

In our worst of nightmares, we can be reminded that God is faithful and is attentive to our cries of despair, lament, grief, agony, and fear.

Verse from Habakkuk

“因这异象关乎一定的日期， 很快就要实现，决不徒然；纵有迟延，仍当等候，因为它一定会来到，绝不耽误。””

‭‭哈巴谷书‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; It hurries toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it delays, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay long.”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭2:3‬ ‭

Good things often take time, but our human nature struggles with patience. The question “How long?” occurs throughout the Bible. 

One poignant example is from the prophet Habakkuk, who begins his book by asking, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Habakkuk (whose name means “grappler”) prophesied God’s judgment on his country (Judah) through the invasion of the ruthless Babylonian Empire, and he wrestled with how God could allow corrupt people to prosper as they exploited others. But God promised hope and restoration in His own time (2:3).

The Babylonian captivity lasted seventy years. By human reckoning that’s a long time, but God is always faithful and true to His Word.

Some of God’s best blessings may be long in coming. Though they linger, keep looking to Him! He prepares every blessing with perfect wisdom and care—and He’s always worth waiting for.

Verse from John

“所有属我而不结果子的枝子，他就剪去；所有结果子的，他就修剪干净，让它结更多的果子。”

‭‭约翰福音‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭

“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.”

‭‭John‬ ‭15:2‬ 

Jesus’ words remind us that in the good times and bad, God is always working in us toward spiritual renewal and fruitfulness (v. 5). During “pruning” seasons of suffering or emotional barrenness, we may wonder if we’ll ever thrive again. 

But Christ encourages us to continue to stick close to Him: “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me” (v. 4).

As we continually draw spiritual nourishment from Jesus, the resulting beauty and fruitfulness in our lives (v. 8) will show the world God’s goodness.

Verse from Matthew

““所以，凡听见我这些话又遵行的，就像聪明的人，把自己的房子盖在盘石上。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭7:24‬ ‭

““Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:24‬ ‭

Jesus used the image of building a home atop a faulty foundation to explain the far riskier danger of building our lives on unsteady ground. He explained how some of us construct our life on sturdy rock, ensuring that we hold solid when we face fierce storms. 

Others of us, however, erect our lives on sand; and when the tempests rage, our lives tumble “with a great crash” (Matthew 7:27). The one distinction between building on an unshakable foundation and a crumbling one is whether or not we put Christ’s words “into practice” (v. 26). The question isn’t whether or not we hear His words, but whether we practice them as He enables us.

There’s much wisdom offered to us in this world—plus lots of advice and help—and much of it is good and beneficial. If we base our life on any foundation other than humble obedience to God’s truth, however, we invite trouble. In His strength, doing what God says is the only way to have a house, a life, built on rock.