Today's Verse - Romans 12:12

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

—Romans 12:12

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Sometimes the key to survival is simply "setting our jaw" and going on, faithfully trusting that God is there helping us, despite the apparent outward circumstances. Choosing joy through hope rather than dwelling on despair, choosing patient endurance in times of affliction, and choosing faithfulness in prayer when all circumstances are tough are all decisions of the will. They show that we trust God, who raised Jesus from the dead, can also change our circumstances because he hears our voice and loves us.
Everything seemed to suggest God was silent and had forgotten his Son when Jesus was in the tomb. We know now this wasn't the case at all. We know that our triumph over sin, death, the evil one, and hell was happening during that silence. As we are being "joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer", let's also remain confident that he is at work for us in the times he appears to be silent and has abandoned us! Yes, we're hopeful, we're patient, and we're faithful.

My Prayer...

Create in us, O Mighty God, resolute and steadfast hearts so that we might persevere with joy no matter the difficulties we face. We ask for this resilience, this joyful hope, patience in difficulties, and prayerfulness in hard times, in the name of your faithful and victorious Son. Amen.

Today's Verse - 1 John 5:14-15

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us — whatever we ask — we know that we have what we asked of him.

—1 John 5:14-15

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Confidence before God. That's a bit of an oxymoron if you meditate upon it. Yet through the presence of Jesus at the Father's right hand (Hebrews 2:14-18; 1 Timothy 2:5) and the intercession of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27), we can have confidence and come boldly before the Creator of the universe. Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit's mediation and intercession for us, we know that God not only hears us, but that he also cares for us. Wow, what an audience! What confidence! Oh, and one final thing, he also ACTS on what we ask. The Holy Spirit shares this beautiful promise with us in Hebrews 4:16:

Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

My Prayer...

Abba Father, I thank you more than words can say for the grace of your listening ear and loving heart. Through the authority of Jesus, my brother, and through the grace of your interceding Holy Spirit, I offer you my thanks and love this day. Amen.

Today's Verse - Hebrews 11:6

Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

—Hebrews 11:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I believe!
I believe that God not only knows me, but cares about me.
I believe that God not only created the universe, but he also knows the number of hairs on my head. I believe that God not only sent his Son to save the world, but that he's sending him back to bring me home.
What's more, I believe that God is pleased by my belief. And even on my worst days when it is hard, I pray, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief" (Mark 9:24).
I believe, and I know that pleases God!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Almighty God, most holy LORD, I thank you for your steadfast love and enduring faithfulness. I thank you for your grace and mercy. I thank you for your might and power. I thank you for your awesome holiness. I thank you for being you and choosing to reveal yourself to mortals like me. I believe in you, dear Father, and in those times of deepest struggle, I still believe but ask for your grace and help to overcome my unbelief. Through Jesus, your final Word, I believe and pray. Amen.