Verse from Job

我知道我的救赎主活着，最后他必在地上兴起。(约伯记 19:25)

"As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. (Job 19:25)

The famous statue Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue is a model of Christ with His arms extended so that His body forms the shape of a cross. Brazilian architect Heitor da Silva Costa designed the figure. He imagined that the city’s residents would see it as the first image to emerge from the darkness at dawn. At dusk, he hoped the city dwellers would view the setting sun as a halo behind the statue’s head.

There is value in keeping our eyes on our Redeemer each day, during the good times and the difficult times. As he suffered, Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth” (Job 19:25).

The cry of Job’s heart points us to Jesus—our living Savior who will visit the earth again one day (1 Thess. 4:16-18). Keeping our eyes on Jesus means remembering that we have been rescued from our sin. Jesus “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people” (Titus 2:14).

Anyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior has a reason to be glad today. No matter what we endure on earth, we can have hope today and look forward to enjoying eternity with Him.

Dear Jesus, 

You are my rescuer. 

Because You died and rose again, 

I am free from the consequences of my sin forever. 

Thank You for redeeming my life.

Through His cross and resurrection, Jesus rescues and redeems.

Verse from Genesis

罗得还在犹豫不决的时候，二人因为耶和华宽容罗得，就拉着罗得的手，和他妻子的手，以及他两个女儿的手，把他们带出来，安置在城外。(创世记 19:16)

When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. (Genesis 19:16)

When two angels sent by God came to rescue Lot and his family from the impending destruction of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:12-13), they encountered resistance. Lot’s sons-in-law thought the warning was a joke (v. 14). When the angels told Lot to hurry and leave, he hesitated (v. 15). At that point, the two angels “took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters,” and led them safely out of the city because God was merciful toward them (v. 16).

In our journey of faith in Christ,  have we been and are we still reluctant and resistive to His efforts to rescue and help us? And yet, He has been and still is faithful in overcoming our reluctance and resistance to reach out to us. When we encounter people lashing out in spiritual desperation and fear, may we have God’s wisdom to show His love to them—and to every person who is reluctant to be rescued by Him. 

God’s mercy can overcome our resistance.

Verse from Psalms

你们要向圣所举手祷告，称颂耶和华。(诗篇 134:2)

Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD. (Psalms 134:2)

Let's learn to find things to give thanks about in life, in whatever circumstances we are in!

Verse from Acts

腓利就开口，从这段经文开始，向他传讲耶稣。(使徒行传 8:35)

Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8:35)

When a man from Ethiopia asked Philip about a portion of Scripture he did not understand, Philip “opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him” (Acts 8:35).

Tell others the good news about Jesus: that we are all sinners needing salvation; that the perfect Son of God died to save us; and that He rose from the grave, showing His power over death. Jesus, our Savior, is alive and is offering now to live His life through us.

Jesus said . . . , “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” John 11:25

Have u told the good news or have you yourself understood clearly and accepted, believe and trust the good news? 

Verse from 2 Kings

神人说：“不要惧怕，因为和我们在一起的比和他们在一起的更多。”(列王纪下 6:16)

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

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

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

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

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

Lord, I’m tempted to fear what I cannot understand or control. But my security rests in You and not in what happens to me or around me. Help me to rest in Your unfailing love.

Eyes of faith see God at work in everything.

Verse from Psalms

你们要追求耶和华与他的能力，常常寻求他的面。(诗篇 105:4)

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. (Psalms 105:4)

This is true, especially when we grow weary. The best to do, is to seek Him, talk to Him, He is there and He will understand even if no one else does. He is always ready to listen and is committed to be there for us, if we allow Him to be and not shut Him off our lives. All He asks, is that we seek Him. 

Verse from Matthew

耶稣立刻对他们说：“放心吧！是我，不要怕。”(马太福音 14:27)

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

Do you avoid taking risks at all costs? Many of us are reluctant to step out of our comfort zones in case we fail, get hurt, or look stupid. But if we allow that fear to bind us, we’ll end up afraid to do anything.

The story of Peter’s water-walking adventure and why it supposedly failed is a popular choice for preachers (Matt. 14:22-33). But so far, there doesn't seem to be one who has discussed about the behavior of the rest who were in the boat. Peter was a success. He felt the fear but responded to the call of Jesus anyway. Maybe it was those who never tried at all who failed.

Jesus risked everything for us. What are we prepared to risk for Him?

Father, 

thank You for stretching out Your hand and saying, “Come.” 

Help me to get out of the boat, knowing that it is totally safe to walk on water with You.

“Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.” Helen Keller