Verse from Zechariah

“他对我说：“这是耶和华对所罗巴伯所说的话：‘不是倚靠权势，不是倚靠能力，而是倚靠我的灵。’这是万军之耶和华说的。”

‭‭撒迦利亚书‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭

“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭

There are times in each of our spiritual lives when we face challenges far too big for our own resources and strengths. Zerubabbel faced such a challenge. God sent a prophet to remind him, and us through Him, that our greatest victories will not be won by our power and might. 

No, these greatest victories, the ones that catch us up in God's great story of salvation, will occur when we trust that God's power is greater than our weakness and God's might is greater than our insufficiency. 

The real question that each of us must face is very simple: in our personal lives, and in our ministry efforts, where do we place our trust and what is the source of our confidence? Are they in our abilities, skills, insight, and strength or God's?

Verse from 2 Chronicles

“他在位第八年，还是年幼的时候，就开始寻求他先祖大卫的神。到了第十二年，他就开始洁净犹大和耶路撒冷，除掉邱坛、亚舍拉、雕像和铸像。”

‭‭历代志下‬ ‭34:3‬ ‭

“In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols.”

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭34:3‬ ‭

The Old Testament tells the story of a faithful king of Judah who also showed up unexpectedly. His father and grandfather had enthusiastically served other gods; but after Josiah had been in power for eight years, “while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David” (2 Chronicles 34:3). 

He sent workmen to “repair the temple of the Lord” (v. 8), and as they did they discovered the Book of the Law (the first five books of the Old Testament; v. 14). God then inspired Josiah to lead the entire nation of Judah to return to the faith of their ancestors, and they served the Lord “as long as [Josiah] lived” (v. 33).

Our God is the master of unanticipated mercies. He’s able to cause great good to spring up unexpectedly out of the hard gravel of life’s most unfavorable circumstances. Watch Him closely. He may do it again today.

Verses from Matthew

“为甚么看见你弟兄眼中的木屑，却不理会自己眼中的梁木呢？ 你自己眼中有梁木，怎能对弟兄说：‘让我除掉你眼中的木屑’呢？ 伪君子啊！先除掉你眼中的梁木，才可以看得清楚，去除掉弟兄眼中的木屑。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭7:3-5‬ ‭

““Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:3-5‬ ‭

Finding fault in someone else is so easy for most of us. Finding fault in ourselves is much trickier. 

Jesus reminds us that we must deal with the shortcomings and sins in our own lives before we start telling others how to live.

Verse from 2 Kings

“他废去邱坛，打碎神柱，砍掉亚舍拉；他又打碎摩西所做的铜蛇，因为直到那些日子，以色列人仍然向它焚香，称它作尼忽士但。”

‭‭列王纪下‬ ‭18:4‬ ‭

“He removed the high places and smashed the memorial stones to pieces, and cut down the Asherah. He also crushed to pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the sons of Israel had been burning incense to it; and it was called Nehushtan.”

‭‭2 Kings‬ ‭18:4‬ ‭

The nation of Israel fell into a trap when they began to burn incense to a bronze snake which God had used to heal them. They’d been performing this act of worship until Hezekiah identified it as idolatry and “broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made” (2 Kings 18:4).

Several centuries earlier, a group of venomous snakes had invaded the Israelite camp. The snakes bit the people and many died (Numbers 21:6). Although spiritual rebellion had caused the problem, the people cried out to God for help. Showing mercy, He directed Moses to sculpt a bronze snake, fasten it to a pole, and hold it up for everyone to see. When the people looked at it, they were healed (vv. 4–9).

Think of God’s gifts to you. Have any of them become objects of praise instead of evidence of His mercy and grace? Only our holy God—the source of every good gift (James 1:17)—is worthy of worship.

Verse from Matthew

“在人面前不认我的，我在我天父面前也要不认他。”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭10:33‬ ‭

“But whoever denies Me before people, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:33‬ ‭

We don’t like to dwell on warnings because we think they’ll get in the way of enjoying life, but it’s imperative to pay attention to them. For instance, Jesus gave us a clear warning while sending out His disciples to proclaim God’s coming kingdom (Matthew 10:33).

We have a choice. In love, God provided a Savior and a plan for us to be in His presence for eternity. But if we turn away from God and choose to reject His message of salvation and the real life He offers for both now and forever, we lose out on the opportunity to be with Him.

May we trust in Jesus, the One who chose to save us from being eternally separated from the One who loves and made us.

Verse from Psalms

“因为他的怒气只是短暂的，他的恩惠却是一生一世的；夜间虽然不断有哭泣，早晨却必欢呼。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭30:5‬ ‭

“For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭30:5‬ ‭

God is the God of all comfort (see 2 Cor. 1). Even when He deals harshly with our sin and rebellion, it is for our good. It will last only a short while and then it gives way to rejoicing. 

If you are in a time of discipline or facing the cruel consequences of sin, please don't give up. Morning will come, and on that dawn will come God's grace. It's more than worth the wait.

Verses from Matthew

“何必为衣服忧虑呢？试想田野的百合花怎样生长，它们不劳苦，也不纺织。 田野的草，今天还在，明天就投进炉里，神尚且这样妆扮它们；小信的人哪，何况你们呢？”

‭‭马太福音‬ ‭6:28, 30‬ ‭

“And why are you worried about clothing? Notice how the lilies of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin thread for cloth, But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:28, 30‬ ‭

Do you sometimes find it hard to trust God to meet your needs? Why not take a walk in nature? 

Let what you see remind you of Jesus’ assuring words: “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ . . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need [all these things]” (Matthew 6:31–32).

How has God provided for you in the past? 

How can you continue to lean on His provision in the present?

Verse from Acts

“可是圣灵降临在你们身上，你们就必领受能力，并且要在耶路撒冷、犹太全地、撒玛利亚，直到地极，作我的见证人。””

‭‭使徒行传‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭

Being a people of mixed origin and worshiping their own gods, the Samaritans—in the eyes of the Jews—had spoiled the Jewish bloodline and faith, erecting a rival religion on Mount Gerizim (John 4:20). In fact, the Jews so despised Samaritans they would walk the long way around rather than take the direct route through their country.

Jesus revealed a better way. He brought salvation for all people, including Samaritans. So He ventured into the heart of Samaria to bring living water to a sinful woman and her town (vv. 4–42). His last words to His disciples were to follow His example (Acts 1:8). 

Samaria was more than the next geographical sequence. It was the most painful part of the mission. The disciples had to overcome lifetimes of prejudice to love people they didn’t like.

Does Jesus matter more to us than our grievances? There’s only one way to be sure. Love your “Samaritan.”

Verse from 1 Samuel

“今天你所作的说明了你以良善待我，因为耶和华把我交在你手里，你却没有杀我。”

‭‭撒母耳记上‬ ‭24:18‬ ‭

“You have declared today that you have done good to me, that the Lord handed me over to you and yet you did not kill me.”

‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭24:18‬ ‭

The farmer climbed into his truck and began his morning inspection of the crops. On reaching the farthest edge of the property, his blood began to boil. Someone had used the farm’s seclusion to illegally dump their trash—again.

As he filled the truck with the bags of food scraps, the farmer found an envelope. On it was printed the offender’s address. Here was an opportunity too good to ignore. That night he drove to the offender’s house and filled his garden with not just the dumped trash but his own!

Revenge is sweet, some say, but is it right? In 1 Samuel 24, David and his men were hiding in a cave to escape a murderous King Saul. When Saul wandered into the same cave to relieve himself, David’s men saw a too-good-to-ignore opportunity for David to get revenge (vv. 3–4). 

But David went against this desire to get even. “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master,” he said (v. 6). When Saul discovered that David chose to spare his life, he was incredulous. “You are more righteous than I,” he exclaimed (vv. 17–18).

As we or our loved ones face injustice, opportunities to take revenge on offenders may well come. Will we give in to these desires, as the farmer did, or go against them, like David? Will we choose righteousness over revenge?

Verse from Psalms

“他使狂风止息，海浪就平静无声。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭107:29‬ ‭

“He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:29‬ ‭

During Scottish missionary Alexander Duff’s first voyage to India in 1830, he was shipwrecked in a storm off the coast of South Africa. He and his fellow passengers made it to a small, desolate island; and a short time later, one of the crew found a copy of a Bible belonging to Duff washed ashore on the beach. When the book dried, Duff read Psalm 107 to his fellow survivors, and they took courage. Finally, after a rescue and yet another shipwreck, Duff arrived in India.

Psalm 107 lists some of the ways God delivered the Israelites. Duff and his shipmates no doubt identified with and took comfort in the words: “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven” (vv. 29–30). And, like the Israelites, they too “[gave] thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind” (v. 31).

We see a parallel to Psalm 107:28–30 in the New Testament (Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41). Jesus and His disciples were in a boat at sea when a violent storm began. His disciples cried out in fear, and Jesus—God in flesh—calmed the sea. We too can take courage! Our powerful God and Savior hears and responds to our cries and comforts us in the midst of our storms.

Verse from Psalms

“我的帮助是从造天地的耶和华而来。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭121:2‬ ‭

“My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭121:2‬ ‭

Psalm 121 is a reminder for us to look to God in times of trouble. The God who created the universe helps and watches over us (v. 3)—even while we sleep—but He Himself never sleeps (v. 4). He watches over us day and night (v. 6), “both now and forevermore” (v8).

No matter what kind of situations we find ourselves in, God sees. And He’s waiting for us to turn to Him. When we do, our circumstances may not always change, but He’s promised His peace in the midst of it all.

Verse from Luke

“他拿起饼来，感谢了，擘开递给他们，说：“这是我的身体，为你们舍的，你们应当这样行，为的是记念我。””

‭‭路加福音‬ ‭22:19‬ ‭

“And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:19‬ ‭

The greatest tragedy in human history occurred when human beings crucified their Creator. Yet, that dark moment also produced both remembrance and celebration. The night before He would go to the cross, Jesus took the elements of Israel’s Passover and created His own memorial celebration.

Still today, whenever we take communion, we honor His great, unflinching love for us—remembering the cost of our rescue and celebrating the gift of life His sacrifice produced. 

As Charles Wesley said in his great hymn, “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”

Verse from Psalms

“神啊！求你鉴察我，知道我的心思；试验我，知道我的意念。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭139:23‬ ‭

“Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts;”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:23‬ ‭

The familiar words of Psalm 139 describe the intimacy we enjoy with our Sovereign King. He knows us completely! (v. 1). He’s “familiar with all [our] ways” (v. 3). He invites us to come to Him with our confusion, our anxious thoughts, and our struggles with temptation. When we’re willing to yield completely to Him, He reaches out to restore and rewrite the parts of our story that make us sad because we’ve wandered from Him.

God knows us better than anyone else ever can, and still . . . He loves us! When we daily surrender ourselves to Him and seek to know Him more fully, He can change our story for His glory. He’s the Author who’s continuing to write it.

Verse from Jeremiah

“我一得到你的话，就把它们吃了；你的话成了我心中的欢喜快乐；耶和华万军的神啊！因为我是称为你名下的人。”

‭‭耶利米书‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭

“Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, Lord God of armies.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭15:16‬ ‭

Billy Graham, the renowned American evangelist, once described his struggle to accept the Bible as completely true. One night as he walked alone in the moonlight at a retreat center in the San Bernardino Mountains, he dropped to his knees and placed his Bible on a tree stump, able only to “stutter” a prayer: “Oh, God! There are many things in this book I do not understand.”

By confessing his confusion, Graham said the Holy Spirit finally “freed me to say it. ‘Father, I am going to accept this as thy Word—by faith!’ ” When he stood up, he still had questions, but he said, “I knew a spiritual battle in my soul had been fought and won.”

The young prophet Jeremiah fought spiritual battles too. Yet he consistently sought answers in Scripture. He declared, “The word of the Lord . . . is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones” (20:8–9). 

Nineteenth-century evangelist Charles Spurgeon wrote, “[Jeremiah] lets us into a secret. His outer life, especially his faithful ministry, was due to his inward love of the word which he preached.”

We too can shape our life through the wisdom of Scripture despite our struggles. We can keep studying, as always, by faith.

Verses from Isaiah

“你从水中经过的时候, 我必与你同在；你渡过江河的时候，水必不淹没你；你从火中行走的时候，必不会烧伤；火焰也不会在你身上烧起来。 因为我是耶和华你的神，是以色列的圣者，你的拯救者；我使埃及作你的赎价，使古实和示巴作你的替身。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭43:2-3‬ ‭

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:2-3‬ ‭

In the context of this passage, God reminds His people that they are precious to Him. He formed them and redeemed them. He is not about to abandon them. No matter what challenges or difficulties they face, He will be with them to deliver them and bring them to safety and victory. 

We can accept this same promise; we also have the benefit of history to show God's faithfulness. We can see how God did preserve His people and redeemed them time and time again from their bondage to their enemies. God will not forget his children.

Verses from Acts

“使徒大有能力，为主耶稣的复活作见证，众人都蒙了大恩。他们中间没有一个有缺乏的，因为凡有田产房屋的都卖了，把得到的钱拿来，”

‭‭使徒行传‬ ‭4:33-34‬ ‭

“With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭4:33-34‬ ‭

When we become aware of the needs of others, whether material or intangible, may God’s grace be so powerfully at work in us that we respond as they did, willingly giving from our hearts to those in need. This makes us vessels of God’s grace as fellow believers in Jesus, “one in heart and mind” (v. 32). 

Verse from Job

“可是约伯对她说：“你说话像个愚妄的女人。难道我们从神得福，也不应当受祸吗？”在这一切事上，约伯并没有用口犯罪。”

‭‭约伯记‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭

“But he said to her, “You are speaking as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we actually accept good from God but not accept adversity?” Despite all this, Job did not sin with his lips.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭

“I don’t understand His plan. I turned my whole life over to Him. And this happens!” Such was the message of a son to his mother when his dream to succeed as a professional athlete was temporarily derailed. Who among us hasn’t had some kind of unexpected, disappointing experience that sends our minds into overdrive with exclamations and questions? A family member cuts off communication without explanation; health gains are reversed; a company relocates unexpectedly; a life-altering accident happens.

Job 1–2 records a series of tragedies and setbacks in Job’s life. Humanly speaking, if there was anyone who qualified for a life free from trouble, it was Job. “This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1). But life doesn’t always work out the way we’d like it to—it didn’t for Job, and it doesn’t for us. When his wife counseled him to “curse God and die!” (2:9), Job’s words to her were wise, instructive, and fitting for us as well when things happen—big or small—that we’d rather not face (v. 10).

By God’s strength, may our trust in and reverence for Him remain, even when we can’t understand how He’s at work during life’s difficult days.

Verse from 2 Corinthians

“你们是知道我们的主耶稣基督的恩典的：他本来富足，却为你们成了贫穷，要使你们因他的贫穷成为富足。”

‭‭哥林多后书‬ ‭8:9‬ ‭

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭8:9‬ 

The true nature of love is sacrificial, according to the apostle Paul. He explained to the Corinthians that the Macedonians gave “even beyond their ability” so they could meet the needs of the apostles and others (2 Corinthians 8:3). They even “pleaded” with Paul for the opportunity to give to them and to God’s people. 

The basis for their giving was the sacrificial heart of Jesus Himself. Giving can be in different ways such as time

Verse from Psalms

“我要听神耶和华所要说的话；因为他应许赐平安给他的子民，给他的圣民；但愿他们不要转向愚妄。”

‭‭诗篇‬ ‭85:8‬ ‭

“I will hear what God the Lord will say; For He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; And may they not turn back to foolishness.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭85:8‬ ‭

“Come at once. We have struck a berg.” Those were the first words Harold Cottam, the wireless operator on the RMS Carpathia, received from the sinking RMS Titanic at 12:25 a.m. on April 15, 1912. The Carpathia would be the first ship to the disaster scene, saving 706 lives.

In the US Senate hearings days later, the Carpathia’s captain Arthur Rostron testified, “The whole thing was absolutely providential. . . . The wireless operator was in his cabin at the time, not on official business at all, but just simply listening as he was undressing. . . . In ten minutes maybe he would have been in bed, and we would not have heard the message.” 

Listening matters—especially listening to God. The writers of Psalm 85, the sons of Korah, urged attentive obedience when they wrote, “I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him” (vv. 8–9). Their admonition is especially poignant because their ancestor Korah had rebelled against God and had perished in the wilderness (Numbers 16:1–35).

The night the Titanic sank, another ship was much closer, but its wireless operator had gone to bed. Had he heard the distress signal, perhaps more lives would have been saved. When we listen to God by obeying His teaching, He’ll help us navigate even life’s most troubled waters.

Verse from James

“你们应该作行道的人，不要单作听道的人，自己欺骗自己；”

‭‭雅各书‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:22‬ ‭

"The proof of the pudding is in the tasting." The proof of biblical wisdom and understanding is in the living. To simply know the truth doesn't mean a whole lot; to live the truth is everything. (cf. Matthew 7)

Verse from Proverbs

“我儿，不可轻看耶和华的管教，也不可厌恶他的责备；”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His rebuke,”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭

The word discipline could be translated “correction.” As a good and loving Father, God speaks through His Spirit and the Scriptures to correct self-destructive behavior. God’s discipline is relational—rooted in His love and His desire for what’s best for us. Sometimes it looks like consequences. Sometimes God prompts someone to point out our blind spots. Often, it’s uncomfortable, but God’s discipline is a gift.

But we don’t always see it that way. The wise man cautioned, “Do not despise the Lord’s discipline” (v. 11). Sometimes we fear God’s discipline. At other times we misinterpret bad things in our lives as God’s discipline. This is far from the heart of a loving Father who disciplines because He delights in us and corrects because He loves us.

Instead of fearing God’s discipline, may we learn to accept it. When we hear God’s voice of correction in our hearts or experience conviction when reading Scripture, may we thank God that He delights in us enough to lead us to what’s best.

Verse from 1 John

“我们应当彼此相爱，因为这是你们从起初听见的信息。”

‭‭约翰壹书‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭

“For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we are to love one another;”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:11‬ ‭

On April 19, 1987, when Princess Diana visited London Middlesex Hospital, the United Kingdom was engulfed in a wave of panic as it confronted the AIDS epidemic. Not knowing how the disease—which often killed with terrifying speed—was spread, the public at times treated AIDS victims like social pariahs.

So it was a stunning moment when Diana, with ungloved hands and a genuine smile, calmly shook an AIDS patient’s hand that day. That image of respect and kindness would move the world to treat victims of the disease with similar mercy and compassion.

The picture is a reminder of this: freely and generously offering the love of Jesus to others is worth it. John reminded early believers in Christ that to let love wither or hide in the face of our fear is really to live “in death” (1 John 3:14). And to love freely and unafraid, filled and empowered with the Spirit’s self-giving love, is to experience resurrection life in all its fullness (vv. 14, 16). 

Verse from Isaiah

“但是，雅各啊！那创造你的耶和华，以色列啊！那塑造你的主，现在这样说： “不要惧怕，因为我救赎了你；我按着你的名呼召了你；你是属我的。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭43:1‬ ‭

“But now, this is what the Lord says— He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:1‬ ‭

We belong to the Lord, God of all creation, and God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (1 Peter 2:9-10). We are recipients of God's grace and are blessed by his love for Israel's fathers. We do not have to fear because God is in control of our future, just as He worked through the history of His chosen people to send the Messiah. 

He will accompany us through the difficult trials we will face. He will make sure our redemption is realized. Why? Because we belong to Him. We are His.

Verse from Genesis

“以扫跑来迎接他，拥抱他，伏在他颈项上，与他亲吻；两个人都哭了。”

‭‭创世记‬ ‭33:4‬ ‭

“But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭33:4‬ ‭

God healed the bitter division between Esau and his twin brother, Jacob, and blessed both their lives. A onetime schemer, Jacob had robbed Esau of their father’s blessing. But twenty years later, God called Jacob to return to their homeland. So, Jacob sent ahead bountiful gifts to appease Esau. “But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept” (Genesis 33:4).

Their reunion stands as a classic example of God’s urging to settle anger with a brother or sister before offering our gifts—talents or treasures—to Him (Matthew 5:23–24). Instead, “first go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift” (v. 24). Jacob obeyed God by reconciling with Esau, and later setting up an altar to God (Genesis 33:20). 

What a beautiful order: First, strive for forgiveness and reconciliation. Then, at His altar, He receives us.

Verse from Proverbs

“因为义人虽然七次跌倒，仍能再起来；但恶人必在祸患中绊倒。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭24:16‬ ‭

“for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24:16‬ ‭

This proverb reminds us that the righteous, those who trust in and have a right relationship with God, will still experience difficulties and hardships. However, as they continue to seek Him even in the midst of difficulty, God is faithful to give them the strength to rise again. 

Have you recently experienced a devastating disappointment or failure and feel like you’ll never recover? Scripture encourages us not to rely on our strength but to continue to put our confidence in God and His promises. As we trust Him, God’s Spirit gives us strength for every difficulty we encounter in this life, from the seemingly mundane to significant struggles (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Verse from Mark

“耶稣坐下，叫十二门徒来，对他们说：“谁想为首，就该作众人中最末的一个，作众人的仆人。””

‭‭马可福音‬ ‭9:35‬ ‭

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭9:35‬ ‭

Cuthbert is a much-loved figure in northern England. Responsible for evangelizing much of the area in the seventh century, Cuthbert counseled monarchs and influenced state affairs; and after his death, the city of Durham was built in his honor. But Cuthbert’s legacy is great in more ways than these.

After a plague ravaged the region, Cuthbert once toured affected towns offering solace. Readying to leave one village, he checked if there was anyone left to pray for. There was—a woman, clutching a child. She had already lost one son, and the child she held was nearing death too. Cuthbert took the fevered boy in his arms, prayed for him, and kissed his forehead. “Do not fear,” he told her, “for no one else of your household will die.” The boy reportedly lived.

Jesus once took a small boy into his arms to give a lesson on greatness, saying, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me” (Mark 9:37). To “welcome” someone in Jewish culture meant to serve them, the way a host welcomes a guest. Since children were to serve adults and not be served, the idea must’ve been shocking. Jesus’ point? True greatness resides in serving the smallest and lowliest (v. 35).

A counselor to monarchs. An influencer of history. A city built in his honor. But perhaps heaven records Cuthbert’s legacy more like this: A mother noticed. A forehead kissed. A humble life reflecting his Master.

Verse from Isaiah

“妇人怎能忘记她吃奶的婴孩，不怜悯她亲生的儿子呢？即使她们可能忘记，我也不会忘记你。”

‭‭以赛亚书‬ ‭49:15‬ ‭

““Can a woman forget her nursing child and have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, but I will not forget you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭49:15‬ ‭

God knows the facts and won’t forget His promises or His people. Have you had moments when you’ve questioned whether or not you’ve been forgotten by God? When others appear to be healthier or happier or more successful or otherwise better off? 

Ancient Israel’s less-than-ideal situation caused her to say, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14). But that wasn’t the case. God’s compassion and care exceeded the natural bonds of affection that mothers have for their children (v. 15). 

Before embracing labels like “forsaken” or “forgotten,” think again of what God has done in and through His Son, Jesus. In the gospel that brings forgiveness, God has clearly said, “I will not forget you.” (v. 15).

Verse from Proverbs

“你不要说：“我要以恶报恶”；要等候耶和华，他必拯救你。”

‭‭箴言‬ ‭20:22‬ ‭

“Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭20:22‬ ‭

Vengeance is an awful and painful way to respond to those whom we feel have wronged us. The Lord is our assurance of just rewards. Leave it to Him. 

Escalating vindictiveness only leads to broken people and to broken lives. Worse yet, it leads to broken character.

Verse from Galatians

 “你们因着信，在基督耶稣里都作了神的儿子。”

‭‭加拉太书‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭

“For you are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭3:26‬ ‭

In Jesus, believers are made “children of God” through faith in Him (Galatians 3:26). We’re adopted by God and become His sons and daughters (4:5). 

As God’s adopted children, we receive the Spirit of His Son, we call God “Father” (v. 6), and we become His heirs (v. 7) and coheirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). We become full members of His family.

Verse from Jeremiah

“然而沙番的儿子亚希甘却保护耶利米，不许人把耶利米交在人民的手中处死。”

‭‭耶利米书‬ ‭26:24‬ ‭

“But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that he was not handed over to the people to put him to death.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭26:24‬ ‭

Clifford Williams was sentenced to die for a murder he didn’t commit. From death row he vainly filed motions to reconsider the evidence against him. Each petition was denied—for forty-two years. Then attorney Shelley Thibodeau learned of his case. She found that not only was there no evidence to convict Williams, but that another man had confessed to the crime. At the age of seventy-six, Williams was finally exonerated and released.

The prophets Jeremiah and Uriah were also in deep trouble. They had told Judah that God promised to judge His people if they didn’t repent (Jeremiah 26:12–13, 20). This message angered the people and officials of Judah, who sought to kill both prophets. They succeeded with Uriah. He fled to Egypt, but was brought back to face the king, who “had him struck down with a sword” (v. 23). Why didn’t they kill Jeremiah? In part because Ahikam “stood up for Jeremiah” (nlt), “and so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death” (v. 24).

We may not know anyone facing death, but we probably know someone who could use our support. Whose rights are trampled? Whose talents are dismissed? Whose voice isn’t heard? It may be risky to step out like Thibodeau or Ahikam, but it’s so right. Who needs us to stand up for them as God guides us?