Sep 26 2024

Today's Bible Verse

Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

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On the night of the crucifixion, Jesus says these words to His disciples. They are no longer mere servants of the Lord; they are friends. They, human beings, have become friends with the almighty God who created them. This is a new level of intimacy for them.

In the Old Testament, the only people ever called friends of God were Abraham and Moses. Now, Jesus is calling all of those who obey Him friends. This means you and I can be friends with Jesus—and that is no small thing!

Jesus is a friend like no other. He is always with us, especially during times when we feel like we're alone. He is always for our good. Jesus is not jealous of our successes; instead, He wants us to live the lives that He has set before us. He is a friend who will speak truth to us, offering correction that is covered in love. He is tender and kind, willingly showing us blessings at the right moments.

We can have confidence as we live distinct lives that we are friends of God because Jesus tells us we are. We do not have to be modest or shy about this. Instead, we can store it up in our hearts as a precious treasure. Claim friendship with the Lord and allow yourself to enjoy fellowship with Him. This is what we were made for.

As you draw into this friendship, think about the other people who do not yet know God that way. Ask the Lord to fill you with compassion and a desire to help them know you. He will show you your role in their salvation, whether that is being a prayer warrior or sitting with them as they surrender their lives to Jesus and become friends with the Lord Himself.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, I am so grateful that I can call you a friend. You are so good to me, and I do not deserve your goodness at all. I thank you for your sweet goodness and kindness, and I ask that you would please help me to continue to know you better and better. Give me the heart to help bring others into fellowship with you. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Sep 25 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this verse from Jeremiah, the Lord gives the Israelites hope that they will not live in persecution forever. They will be saved and their savior will be called The Lord Our Righteousness. This was encouraging to the Israelites and to us today because it reminds us that the Lord is righteous.

The Lord is more righteous than any of us could ever hope to be—but He has imparted His righteousness to us! Because of Jesus, He is our righteousness. When we stand before God, we will not have to answer for our sins because Jesus will have covered them. No wrong will be found in us because Jesus atoned for all our sins once and for all more than two millennia ago.

Because of Jesus, we have the ability to obey the Lord. He gives us the strength to stand up to difficulties, and to do right when it seems like no one else around us is. He is the source of all good within us, and we can rejoice in the fact that He will help us to remain on the path of righteousness as long as we are invested in having a relationship with Him.

Matthew Henry, a Bible commentator from the seventeenth century, frames how we should respond to the name The Lord Our Righteousness. He calls it "a sweet name to a convinced sinner; to one that has felt the guilt of sin in his conscience; seen his need of that righteousness, and the worth of it." One reason the name is particularly sweet is that it recognizes our need for someone else to stand in our place and then reminds us that Jesus already has. As soon as we recognize our need for Jesus, He comes down and saves us.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for your kindness to me. You are so good to me, and I will never deserve to have a relationship with you. Help me to walk in your name, remembering that you have imparted righteousness to me. In Jesus' name, amen.


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