It was time for battle. The Lord had already revealed it would be a hard and scary day. Praying together, God’s people prepared for battle by remembering who He is and asking Him for help. God encouraged them not to be afraid and that they wouldn’t even need to fight. Read more
How are your thoughts running these days? I was talking with a precious younger sister in Christ who’s suffering with much illness and loss. On top of it all, she was running the tape of a recent conversation over and over in her thoughts. A few critical comments from someone Read more
Father, We’re easily tempted to dread future suffering. Just flipping on the news will do it! We all need Your help. In Isaiah 12, You prepared Your people for upcoming suffering. In their case, You would judge their many years of sinful turning away from You. But You were mercifully Read more
Lord, I want this pain to end on earth because it’s so difficult. Sometimes, it all makes me feel hopeless. You compassionately understand that feeling, giving us Job’s words to express it: “Where is my hope?” (Job 17:15). Just like when Job’s “plans and desires” were shattered, bringing despair (Job Read more
Lord, I come to You in my suffering today, fighting the lie that believers don’t need to experience suffering on earth. When we “writhe in pain” daily (Job 15:20), this lie easily tempts us to discouragement, bitterness, and despair. Job fought this lie. But You tenderly tell Your suffering and Read more
Father, As the New Year approaches, I praise You for Your promise to “make all things new.” This promise refers to the gloriously planned day when You will restore all things into a new heaven and earth (Is. 65:17; Rev. 21)! This is my sure hope! I’ll live in a Read more
As we suffer this Christmas, let’s remember what is true, sister in Christ. Will you join me as I interrupt my suffering with praise to Jesus? I call it a “praise interruption,” turning around to praise our Lord, within our lament over all that is painful. Like the lament Psalms, Read more
God, I cherish Your name as my Savior (Is. 43:11; Hos. 13:4). Into my suffering today, please remind me of Your love story in my Savior, Jesus Christ. Chapter 1: Creation and Fall In the beginning of the love story, You declared everything in Your creation as “very good” (Gen. Read more
I often see the popular meme, “Choose joy” and it can make me feel condemned when I’m in agonizing pain, overwhelming fatigue, sad tears of loss, or just numb. If I’m not feeling emotionally happy, am I letting God down? Am I walking in sin? Am I making a “bad Read more
Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee. (“Holy, Holy, Holy,” Heber, R., 1826) If you’re like me, you’ve sung this hymn thousands of times, usually as opening praise in a worship service. The choir processes down the aisle, with all the Read more
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