Today's Verse - Isaiah 54:5

For your Maker is your husband — the LORD Almighty is his name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth.

—Isaiah 54:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When I read the phrase "he is called the God of all the earth" in today's verse, several other Bible passages came to mind:

"For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16).
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the LORD of heaven and earth..." (Acts 17:24).
"The Father, from whom every family on earth derives its name..." (Ephesians 3:15).

God is not just the God of Israel or any particular nation, race, tradition, or culture. The LORD God, ruler of heaven and earth, is the God of all nations. As a follower of the Christ, I believe all people will one day recognize God for what he did in Jesus:

[A]t the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11 NASB).

The Holy One of Israel, the Redeemer and God of all the earth, has extended his grace through Jesus to draw all peoples to himself. And as the apostle Paul said:

"From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth... God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us" (Acts 17:26-27).

My Prayer...

Great Redeemer and the Father of all nations and peoples, I humbly come before you to offer my thanks and praise for all you have done to bless us. Guide me as I seek to know you fully and be more aware of your daily presence in my life. In Jesus' 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.

Today's Verse - Galatians 5:6

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

—Galatians 5:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Have you ever noticed how we get to fussing and fighting about things that we think are significant, but in reality, these issues don't pertain to the central matters of our faith? Too often, we fuss and fight over tangential issues and lose the most essential thing to Jesus — our love for each other. In the first century, this fight often involved Jew/Gentile issues — racial and cultural practices and prejudices. While race, culture, and heritage are important, what is most important is showing the world that we can value cultural and racial diversity in each other and still find our unity in Christ. In today's high-tech and AI-focused world, isn't it interesting that the essential human issue is the same as it was two thousand years ago — faith displaying itself in loving action?

My Prayer...

Dear LORD, please help us tear down every wall that divides and separates your people. Forgive us, for our prejudice toward and against each other can dissolve in your grace. Stir a deep yearning in our hearts to share the unity of heaven* in our world today. In the name of Jesus, the atoning sacrifice for all the peoples of the world, I ask this. Amen.

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* Notice the unity of heaven, where folks from every nation, tribe, people, and language worship together in joyous praise (Revelation 7:9-12).

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 - 1 John 4:21

And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister.

—1 John 4:21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For over a week, John has repeatedly reminded us that we MUST love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Today's reminder, however, is the clincher. If we love God, we MUST love his children, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Notice that the word isn't "should love..." or "will try to love..." or "want to love..." No, the word is "MUST!" God's point is clear: Loving each other is not optional, negotiable, or something to be delayed. God sent Jesus to die for the sins of all of God's children. How can we not love those for whom Christ died (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11). As Paul will say to the Corinthians, "God's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). We MUST love God's children!

My Prayer...

Sovereign LORD, forgive my sometimes selective practice of loving your children. With your grace, I ask you to bless, nourish, and sustain my brothers and sisters in Christ, whether they like me or don't like me, whether they show love to me or seek to harm me. Help me love them more — more fully, more consistently, and more like Jesus. I pray today for several of your children who have great trials and burdens... (Please list some of those you know who need God's help). Empower me through your Spirit to love some who are hard for me to love. Use me to minister to them in tangibly loving ways. In Jesus' 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.