Nov 27 2024

Today's Bible Verse

For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

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Today's Psalm gives us a vivid picture of the hope that we have in Jesus. When it seems like we are surrounded by darkness, the Lord is still with us, bathing us in His light. Let's talk about how to find hope in difficult circumstances.

It is interesting that the psalmist writes, "thou wilt" light his candle. This means the candle has not yet been lit; at the time, the psalmist is in darkness. He looks forward to the Lord acting on his behalf but recognizes that the time has not yet come. In the same way, when we are in darkness, we don't have to see God moving to believe that He will. We can have faith that the Lord will light our candles, trusting that He is acting on our behalf. We, like the psalmist, are called to have faith even before we see God working.

Sometimes, however, it feels like the darkness will never end, and having faith is very difficult. If I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel after being in darkness for a long time, I might begin to wonder if God would intervene at all. When that happens, I have to be very careful to distinguish between my emotions and truths. While my emotions lie to me, saying that God has left me alone, His Word says that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6). In situations like that, making the decision to trust God's Word above our feelings is the foundation of our hope.

Indeed, there is no greater hope than the promises that the Lord has given us in His Word. We know that He is always with us, always looking out for us. Jesus has given us new life in Him that is better and holier than any of us could have ever hoped. We can trust Him with our future because He has forgiven us for our sinful pasts, and we can hope in Him because we have felt His love for us. We know from this verse that He will bring light into darkness, just as Jesus brought hope to a world in dire need of redemption. If you feel hopeless, remember that we serve the God of all hope and that He is always, always faithful to His promises.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for being my hope at all times and in all circumstances. There is no hope that compares to knowing I am loved and forgiven by a mighty God. Thank you for being my light in all darkness. In Jesus' name, amen.

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Nov 26 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.:

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Yesterday's Bible study

In this verse, John reminds us that our sins have been forgiven once and for all. Jesus made it possible for us to be wiped clean of all our wrongs. Because of Him, we are able to stand before God completely clean, as if in robes of white that signify our own purity. Today, let's think about the forgiveness that the Lord has shown us.

Have you ever done something wrong and immediately regretted it? I certainly have. In fact, I can think of instances in my life where I despised the little voice in my head that convicted me and instead went ahead with my own plans. The feeling afterward was terrible. Indeed, I've heard it said that there is no one more miserable than a Christian living in sin. When we sin, we wound God and reject His promises, putting a chasm between us. And as Christians, we feel that deeply.

Jesus was the bridge for the chasm. When He died on the cross, He made it possible for us to be forgiven of everything sinful that we have ever done or will ever do. This shows us the severity of sin. God cannot simply overlook our wrongs; blood had to be shed for them. At the same time, He is too loving for us to be forever separated from Him, which sin leads to. The solution was Jesus' death on the cross. Because He satisfied God's justice, we can receive grace when we come before the Lord with repentant hearts.

When John Newton wrote the hymn Amazing Grace, he truly realized the forgiveness that God had given him. As a former slave trader, Newton knew he had hurt many people. When he became a Christian, he left that profession and became a priest. He knew that Jesus had forgiven him, and his only response was to reflect on the grace that God had shown him… properly calling it amazing.

We are no different from John Newton. We live in the wake of amazing grace, in the forgiveness that is freely given to us even though we could never deserve it. That's how much God loves us.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your forgiveness, and for loving me so much. Thank you for the grace that you have shown me through my salvation, and for all of the mercy that you show me each day. In Jesus' name, amen.
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