Today's Verse - Jeremiah 23:24

"Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?" declares the Lord. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" declares the Lord.

—Jeremiah 23:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

There is no hiding from God, but for those who willingly and joyously seek him, there is great comfort, power, and hope in knowing that his presence is ever with us. He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). David beautifully praises God for his abiding presence in Psalm 139. He wants us to remember that God is with him, and that God's presence goes with us from conception to death, and even beyond. God knew us in the womb. He guides us daily and regularly in our lives. He is willing to go with us to the farthest reaches of our existence, and he always longs to be near us and to be for us.

My Prayer...

El Shaddai, God Almighty, God of the Mountains, Jehovah Jireh, God our constant Provider, please be my source of strength as I seek to abide in your presence and walk with you in every moment of my days. I seek to acknowledge your might, love, mercy, power, strength, and grace in all I do and everywhere I go. Please, dear Father, don't just bless me with your presence; please use me to bless others so they can find their place in your plan for their lives. In the name of Jesus, my LORD and Savior, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

—2 Thessalonians 3:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It's amazing to me how Satan knows our personal weaknesses and vulnerabilities - those sins that can especially wound and disable us from the work Christ Jesus. It's amazing to me that he knows how best to tempt us. Let's commit to silently supporting each other in prayer daily, believing the promise that God is faithful and will strengthen and protect us from the evil one. Let's pray that both we and those we love will be strengthened "with power through his Spirit in our inner being" (Ephesians 3:14-16). Let's pray that we all will be delivered from the insidious and besetting attacks and temptations from the evil one. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians:

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, souls, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

My Prayer...

Mighty and Triumphant King, please crush your enemies under your feet and liberate us and those we love from the oppressive and insidious attacks of the evil one and the horrible consequences of the sin he tempts us to swallow (Romans 16:20). Not only forgive and cleanse us, dear Father, but please guard our hearts so that we might gain strength to serve you with passion and power. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Isaiah 40:31

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and will not be faint.

—Isaiah 40:31

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

It is easy for us to live victoriously for the LORD when we are soaring on the wings of eagles. Things are going great. We can see the LORD at work in our life and good things are happening. It can be exciting when we run and don't grow weary doing the work of the LORD, buoyed by his power and presence, as the Holy Spirit shows up and makes us better than we really are. But it often takes real heroes to keep walking without fainting during trying times, attacks from the evil one, or oppressive criticism and opposition. So, dear friend of Jesus, please keep walking forward. Trust the Spirit of the living God is alive in you to empower you, more than you can even ask or think (Ephesians 1:17-20, 4:14-21). The LORD is with you, even when you most fear he has forgotten you. Keep walking, and as you do, may the LORD reveal his sustaining presence to you, in you, and through you!

My Prayer...

O, Majestic God, who spoke into existence the universe, whose voice holds together the great expanse of the heavens, give those who can barely walk forward with faith, the strength to continue as they face the stress and assaults of the evil one. I specifically want to pray for those I know personally who are facing trying times. Please, dear LORD, give them strength as I share their names with you, and meet their most pressing needs, and do your work through them in ways that they can see and experience. Through Jesus, who conquered Satan, sin, hell, and death. Amen.