Series: Devotion

False idols cannot help those who worship them, but our God acted in power to save us. We offer up praise because God, in His steadfast love and faithfulness, remembered His covenant promise and sent His Son into the world to be its Savior.

And what got them through it was the presence of a friend with them in the water. So also, as we await our rescue, Jesus is with us. With Jesus next to you in the water, you can be a friend for others. And as the salty sage of Ecclesiastes says, “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might”

I don’t know what Martha did after Jesus spoke. I rather hope she put down the dishtowel, brought in a plate of grapes and some bread, and joined her sister and Jesus. The place at His feet belongs to Mary and to Martha—and to us, the people Jesus loves and has redeemed.

The same Jesus who suffered, died, and rose from the dead for our sake, because He loved us—that is the One who is inviting us into His work today.

Today’s passage makes the, what? the fifth, maybe sixth time God has promised to give them a child? Sarah is already past menopause. It’s been 25 years since God first started saying this. No wonder Sarah laughed!

Like David and Solomon, Bartimaeus and Mary, we ask of the Lord just this one necessary thing: to dwell in His presence for all of our days. Our gracious Lord grants our request, now and for all eternity.

This vapor of joy that momentarily occupies you in the presence of your friends and family, people you love and admire, that fleeting joy is a sign of the abiding joy you were made for, joy that comes only when you and I are occupied by the Word of God, the Son of God, the personal presence of God.

“Justified” Luke 10:25-29 And behold, a lawyer stood up to… read more

Now that’s a thing we don’t hear very often. Oh, we pray for each other, yes—especially when somebody is in need—but giving thanks for each other is maybe a bit less common. But it doesn’t have to be that way.