Nov 30 2024

Today's Bible Verse

And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

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In John 16, Jesus is addressing His disciples for the final time before the crucifixion. He tells them they will soon have great sorrow but that He will return to them. They will have inextinguishable joy, which no one will ever take away from them. Today, we'll talk about the joy that the Lord gives us.

Jesus wanted the disciples to know that the sorrow they were about to experience would not be interminable. It would have a clear end—they would see Him again. In the same way, we can remember that our sorrows will not last forever. Like the disciples, there will be a time when our sorrows end. Knowing that our pain has an end date can help us endure it. We can know that this life is brief compared to an eternity with God.

After the time of sorrow, the disciples would have joy that no one could ever take away from them. This refers, of course, to the resurrection. When Jesus, their teacher whom they loved and thought dead, appeared to them, they would be consumed with joy! They would have new hope in Him, finally understanding once and for all that He was God.

Today, we can join in the disciples' joy. Jesus is alive today! He has defeated death and all sin, and nothing can stand between us and His grace. Our salvation is just as incredible as the resurrection. Indeed, our own hearts were dead toward God, unmoved by His promises or faithfulness. This is why Jesus intervened and gave us new life in Him. We take part in the resurrection, and, as it was for the disciples, rejoice on the other side of death.

The disciples' lives were shaped by the joy in the Lord. Each went out to share the Gospel with many nations, and all except for John were ultimately martyred for their faith. They had joy in the Lord that was stronger than their desire to live. Indeed, they had found new life in Jesus—and knew it was worth dying for. Today, think about the joy you have experienced because of Jesus and how you might allow it to shape the way you live.

Today's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you so much for the promise of joy. Even though life can be painful today, I know you have made a way for me. Help me to walk in joy with you. Thank you for giving me a way through my sorrows. I love you, Jesus. In your name, amen.

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Nov 29 2024

Yesterday's Bible Verse

Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear.:

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Yesterday's Bible study

Psalm 10 provides us with a sweet reminder that the Lord always hears our prayers. He will help us when we call out to Him, and we know He is always working for our good. Today, we'll think about the comfort that comes from knowing God is always near to us.

Who is someone that you can call on regardless of where you are in your life? Who is that person who will answer the phone at 3 a.m.? If you have someone like that, think about the truth that God is even more faithful than him or her. And if you don't have that person to call, remember that you have Someone even greater than a friend or family member—God himself! The Lord hears us regardless of where we are, and He will answer our prayers whenever we call on Him. He loves us so much that He is always listening.

Think about what God's constant nearness tells us about His character. He is not a distant God, but instead, is intimate and caring. There is no place we could go that would separate us from Him; He knows us better than we will ever understand. He is there the instant we call on Him, and He will be with us every day. He is good to us, and faithful, and we can remain in Him always. These truths give us hope and peace because we have an almighty, loving God at our side.

Sometimes it's hard to believe that God is good. He might seem to be very far away, resistant to our cries for help. But at times like these, we can look at His Word to remember how He sees us. We can see that He is not a God indifferent to our suffering but instead one who loves us enough to save us from sin and its dire consequences. If God loves us enough to send Jesus to die for our sins, He loves us enough to care about what we are experiencing in our lives.

Yesterday's Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for always hearing me when I call out to you. Thank you for seeing me as your child instead of as a sinner. Thank you for being so good to me. I love you. In Jesus' name, amen.
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