Today's Verse - Hebrews 6:10

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

—Hebrews 6:10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The Holy Spirit offers us great assurance in today's verse! God is not unjust. Oh, that is such an understatement: God furnished the atoning sacrifice for our sins by sending Jesus (1 John 2:1-2). When we seek after him, Jesus promised we could find him (Matthew 7:7-8; Acts 17:27). God will not forget the work and love we share with others. God has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:10-12). He chooses to keep an eternal record of the good we have done. We are his people. He claims us. He is gracious and loving, remembering the good we have done to others while forgiving and forgetting our sins. Wow! What great motivation for us to keep maturing into the likeness of Jesus Christ as we become more JESUShaped (2 Corinthians 3:18).

My Prayer...

God, you are so gracious. Thank you. Words cannot express my joy at hearing such a simple and profound statement describing your virtues:

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

I am so glad, dear Father, that I am your child. Through my gracious brother, Jesus, I thank you. 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 - Romans 11:33

Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out.

—Romans 11:33

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God's plan to save us is incredible. His blueprints for the creation of our universe are beyond our imagining. He is so rich in wisdom and knowledge that we cannot even imagine his greatness. What else can we do but go to him and ask him to open our minds to his work, will, and presence in our lives? God is far greater than our minds can comprehend. His judgments are not fully comprehensible to us, and ways beyond us, but we do know this:

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:31-32)

"Oh, the depth and riches of the wisdom and the knowledge of God!" And on top of his greatness, he loves us and has great plans for us. Oh, yes; God is gracious and good.

My Prayer...

Precious and Almighty Father, thank you for reawakening me each spring to the power of your sustaining presence in the world and in my life. I see the beauty of creation reemerge, and it reminds me of your goodness, creativity, colorfulness, and grace. As I seek to put you first in all I do, please use me to bring you glory, and please, bless others through my thoughts, words, and deeds. In Jesus name, I thank you and praise you. 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 - Zephaniah 3:17

The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

—Zephaniah 3:17

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

I still remember trying to learn to affirm my son's value to him. I didn't know exactly what that looked like or what I was supposed to do or say. Then, the Holy Spirit gently reminded me of what God the Father did to affirm Jesus the Son at his baptism.

"You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased" (Luke 3:21).

God affirmed his relationship with Jesus, "You are my Son..." God affirmed his love and affection for Jesus, "...my Son, whom I love..." God affirmed his delight in Jesus, "...with you I am well pleased."
Zephaniah reminds us that the Father feels much the same about us as his children: "He will take great delight in you..." On top of that, he calms us with his love and rejoices over us in singing! God sees and values us as his children. He calms us in our fears and sings lullabies over us in his joy. We are his children whom he loves and in whom he takes delight!

My Prayer...

O God, I pray that when the storms of life rage against me, I will remember these precious words and find my refuge, comfort, identity, acceptance, and peace in your sheltering care. Please, dear Father, make me more aware of your singing over me and your delight in me. Through my Savior Jesus, 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.