Today's Verse - Isaiah 26:4

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, theLORD is the Rock Eternal.

—Isaiah 26:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When we see mountains, we can feel small and insignificant by comparison. We know they are not only much more massive than we are, but also have existed much longer than we have. The LORD, however, was and is and will be present far longer than any mountain (Revelation 1:8; Isaiah 41:4). The LORD is the only true rock of security and stability, our fortress in the middle of life's chaos (2 Samuel 22:2). All the forevers we have in our existence are found in God Almighty alone! So, we join with Isaiah and encourage each other with these words of everlasting truth:

Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD is the Rock Eternal.

My Prayer...

Eternal God, you are the great I Am, the one who is and was and will be forever. We trust that you are and always will be our God, our Redeemer, our Savior, our Shepherd, our strong fortress, our mighty rock, and our eternal Father. We commit all our tomorrows to you, knowing you will be present and faithful and gracious to us as your beloved children. In the name of Jesus, our Savior and LORD, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Isaiah 55:6

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

—Isaiah 55:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Isaiah declares that God is always close to those who genuinely seek after him and call on him as their God. In fact, God is fully present as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in us, with us, and making his home in us when we obey him (John 14:15-17, 18, 23). The real problem is that we can drift away from him, lose interest in him, and leave his presence (Hebrews 2:1, 3:12). So let's seek God and receive his grace. Let's obey God and discover that his presence and help are with us, recognizing that he alone truly saves and makes his presence real in us and to us.

My Prayer...

Father, please help me, through your Holy Spirit, as I grow into seeking you with all my heart. Please be real to me and make your presence known to me as I seek to know you through your Scriptures, your living Word (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. I long to know you as my Abba Father and be known to you as your loving and obedient child. Bless me with your assuring presence as I learn complete trust in you as my tender but powerful Father. Father, not only be my God, but also be real to me in ways that transcend explanation and emotion. Help me to sense your nearness and to know your presence. In the name of Jesus I pray this. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Proverbs 27:1

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth.

—Proverbs 27:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Don't you have your hands full today? I know I sure do!
Don't you find yourself distracted from the urgent and important things of today when you worry about the problems of tomorrow? I know most people do!
Don't you occasionally find yourself missing an opportunity today while fantasizing about all the possibilities far down the road? Many people do!
Isn't it a waste of time to be anxious about those things over which you have no influence? Why worry so much about tomorrow, next week, and some time in the future? Let's walk with God today and trust in his faithfulness for us tomorrow. As our LORD Jesus commanded us:

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

My Prayer...

Holy God, please give me the strength to seize the moment and live today in a way that pleases you and blesses others. Please help my heart feel the urgency of today and act with boldness, kindness, and redeeming love instead of worrying so much about what might happen tomorrow or next week. Help me, O God, to live with the immediacy of the moment I see in your son's ministry when he walked the earth. It's in his name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.