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When you watch the news, hear from your friends, and face your own difficulties on a daily basis … it can seem like every bad thing is happening to everybody all the time. At least, it feels that way for me when I am weary, like a bombardment of brokenness.
 
Wave after wave of disappointment, mishap, and tragedy crash upon the eroding shore of my heart. There are times I get sucked down into the melancholy muck of despair, disbelief, and discouragement. But I must remember where my help comes from.
 
“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2
 
But it doesn’t end there.
 
“He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.” – 3-8
 
When everything in my life tells me otherwise, I go back to the truth I know.
 
“God is [my] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore [I] will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.” – 46:1-3
 
War is raging. People are dying. Relationships are breaking. Evil is present. Violence is rampant. Politics and policies are corrupt. Some babies are never born, some people never change, and some prayers are not yet answered.
 
Things are always changing and nothing goes to plan.
 
“But for You, O Lord, do I wait; it is You, O Lord my God, who will answer.” – 38:15
 
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” – 56:3
 
God never fails. He is still present, working His will and defending His cause. When I cannot make sense of anything, I must preach to my own soul.
 
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” – 43:5
 
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” – 103:1-2
 
It may not look promising at the moment, but the promise holds true.
 
“Behold, I am making all things new.” – Revelation 21:5
 
And one day I will take it all in with my very own eyes.

Abby

A ninja skillfully handles a knife, a soldier carefully operates a cannon, and a knight bravely wields a sword … each one properly equipped for the mission, battle, and undertaking at hand.
 
So too are God’s people suitably armed for the spiritual battlefield, where the enemy is swift, cunning, and determined.
 
“Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8
 
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” – John 10:10
 
“[The devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” – 8:44
 
But God is the Victor who has already overcome. He is everything we need.
 
“Take heart; I have overcome the world” – 16:33
 
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – 14:6
 
“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – 10:10
 
The Warrior and Commander orders believers to garner strength, stand firm, and remain faithful.
 
“Be sober-minded; be watchful … Resist [the devil], firm in your faith.” – 1 Peter 5:8, 9
 
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7
 
To do so, He graciously gives believers every tool and truth necessary to endure.
 
“Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” – Ephesians 6:10-18
 
“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
 
If I want to survive, I must rest my life in God’s hands and diligently pursue His ways.

Abby

Life is hard. I suppose that’s a given. From unrelenting bills to overwhelming thoughts, community tragedies to personal losses, hardship is as diverse as the people whom it afflicts.
 
Everyone suffers in a unique way. Some are bound together by common misfortunes, but only an individual can know what it’s truly like to be in their own shoes.
 
My struggles often lead me to the pit. I find myself there regularly, and I have become familiar with its darkness. But I have also encountered God in that valley.
 
In numerous places, Scripture speaks about the pit—the pit of sorrow, the pit of sin, the pit of shame. One time I may stumble into a pit of doubt or loneliness, other times of despair or self-pity. The truth remains the same for them all.
 
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:2-5
 
“He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.” – Psalm 40:2
 
I look to these passages when I feel beat down, and I remember what God has done for me.
 
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20
 
“The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.” – Psalm 103:6
 
“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.” – Joshua 21:45
 
I know the promises of God to be not only true, but also reliable, whether or not they seem to be. What He has done before, He will do again, until everything is perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
 
God can—and will—rescue the righteous from trouble. If He saved us from the chasm of our sin, certainly He will save us from the pitfalls of life as we journey toward Heaven.
 
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” – Colossians 1:13
 
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” – 1 Peter 5:10
 
“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.” – Jude 24-25

Abby

A stunning view, wild circumstance, or wonderful experience might be considered once in a lifetime. It is somehow beyond compare, with nothing quite like it.
 
I’ve had snapshots like that, and I truly believe they come about because the Creator Himself is supreme—above all and without equal. All good gifts come from Him, for there is none like Him.
 
Among His countless qualities, Scripture frequently emphasizes His holiness.
 
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” – Isaiah 6:3
 
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” – Revelation 4:8
 
“Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!” – Psalm 96:9
 
No man nor “god” could ever even remotely approach the measure of His glory and the magnitude of His righteousness. God is perfectly pure, just, and beautiful.
 
“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2
 
“Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?” – Exodus 15:11
 
How then, can woeful man have an eternal relationship with Almighty God, save for the reconciliation accomplished through Jesus Christ His Son?
 
“Man is humbled, and each one is brought low, and the eyes of the haughty are brought low. But the Lord of hosts is exalted in justice, and the Holy God shows Himself holy in righteousness.” – Isaiah 5:15-16
 
“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: ‘I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.’” – Isaiah 57:15
 
God sheds His holiness upon believers through the saving sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Previously unapproachable, God through Christ permits access to His presence and ownership of His holiness.
 
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:14-16
 
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
 
So when I feel as unholy as it gets, trembling before a completely holy God, I remember Christ … whose holiness, by the work of the Spirit, is alive in me and will one day be complete, to the praise of His glorious grace.

Abby

Secrets are told in confidence and guarded with care. Honesty and trustworthiness create a safe place to be vulnerable among friends … a gift in a world of blabbering and backstabbing.

I am thankful to find such security and serenity in the presence of God, who is the closest companion a soul could have and the most trustworthy being to ever exist. He draws near to the one who seeks Him and leads him to Life.

“Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being, and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” – Psalm 51:6

I may never grasp the mysteries of God, but I can receive His teaching and wisdom from above.

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12

“Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.” – Psalm 119:66

“Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in Your ways.” – Psalm 119:33-37

In keeping with His character, God responds graciously and generously.

“Make me to know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day long … Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.” – Psalm 25:4-5, 8-9

The presence of God can be like a secret place to meet for intimate fellowship. Or a quiet, refreshing space to be renewed and restored.

“The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me.” – Psalm 16:5-7

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3

How is it that the God of all would come close, to envelop and enlighten the wistful human soul? How grateful I am for such transcending love.

Abby

You may have a place you plop down when you need to think or a location you frequent to get away. Life is demanding, and space is required to rest, reflect, and recover.

I have a number of quiet spaces—“happy places” if you will, which God uses to cleanse my mind and heal my heart. Time in His presence renews my energy to live for Him.

God is known by countless names and assumes numerous roles in the believer’s life. He is a sun and shield, a rock and fortress, a fountain and river. Out of them all, though, I’ve recently been thankful for God as a refuge.

He is a shelter, a hideaway, a covering. When I hurt, I run to Him. When I rejoice, I dance toward Him. When I wonder, I come to Him. He is safe, strong, and steadfast.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” – Psalm 91:1-2

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; You save me from violence.” – 2 Samuel 22:3

His embrace is comforting, His hand is gentle, and His arm is mighty. God of the nations is King of my heart, and He will not fail me.

“For You have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.” – Isaiah 25:4

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” – Proverbs 18:10

“The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in the time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him.” – Psalm 37:39-40

The presence of the Lord God is refreshing, like the cool of a garden. He lovingly walks among His people and dwells in their midst.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” – Psalm 23:1-3

Everything God says will come to pass. Everything God does will be completed.

“Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” – Proverbs 30:5

“For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?” – Isaiah 14:27

The whole world could fall apart, but most assuredly, mine won’t … for I take refuge in God.

Some obligations are short-lived, like another season of tee ball or a friendly meeting over lunch. Others are lifelong commitments, like marriage or career.

Monumental, life-shaping decisions are often made thoughtfully and carefully. Rarely are they spontaneous choices or impulsive selections. They demand both intellect and emotion, mind and heart, and become a permanent part of a person’s life.

In recent Bible reading, I’ve noticed a recurring phrase. It surfaces in a variety of contexts and circumstances but always stands out to me. It speaks of lifetime dedication and ongoing desire.

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” – Deuteronomy 4:9

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” – Psalm 23:6

“One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple.” – Psalm 27:4

Naturally, I set out to ponder this phrase. “All the days of one’s life” requires steadfastness, consistency, and trust. It signifies promise, dependability, and conviction, among other assets. I envision unswerving loyalty and faithful resolution.

My love for God should be so dominating that it informs my lifestyle, drives my decisions, and motivates my movement. Every breath of every day of my life is to be devoted to His glory and majesty.

God’s desire is for me (and everyone else) to choose life by consuming His commands, obeying His ordinances, and preserving His precepts. As a direct result of obedience, His blessings flow.

But most amazing to me are the enduring qualities of the Lord despite humanity’s failings and flaws. On the days of my life when I falter, God never does.

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end.” – Lamentations 3:22

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny himself.” – 2 Timothy 2:13

Without a shadow of a doubt, God the Father vigilantly watches over, provides for, and protects His own.

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when He delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand. I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” – Psalm 37:23-25

And His own never cease to rejoice in Him and praise His name … all the days of their lives, and unto eternity.

There are classic stories and longtime fairy tales that everybody knows. But there are also lesser known accounts sprinkled about, awaiting discovery.

Perhaps you’ve stumbled upon one—a child’s book you adore or a well-written novel for the study. One of many reasons I love reading the Bible is that it is full of both.

There are the classics. Noah built the Ark. Moses parted the Red Sea. Daniel survived the Lion’s Den. Widely circulated narratives of heroes span Joseph’s coat to Esther’s beauty, Samson’s strength to Peter’s boldness. One doesn’t have to be a scholar to recognize the names Samuel, David, Mary, or John.

But amidst the main characters and larger-than-life dramas, some are tucked away. Tamar, once wrapped in a scandal, found herself in the lineage of Jesus. Onesimus, once a runaway slave, became a faithful servant. Joanna was numbered among the devoted women of Christ’s ministry.

Furthermore, some remain nameless. Yet their stories are told to remember them and glorify God.

You may have heard of the woman at the well, the man born blind, or the girl raised from the dead, who have become known by such descriptions. Sometimes, my mind dwells on their stories a while longer and imagines what it was really like for them.

They occupy a few verses, paragraphs, or pages of Scripture, but they were people full of hurts and hopes. They browsed the market, conversed with friends, swept the floor.

One of my favorites is recorded in Mark 5. Jesus sailed across the sea to perform one miracle for one man—completely transforming his life forever. And we don’t even catch his real name.

“When Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones … And Jesus asked him, ‘What is your name?’ He replied, ‘My name is Legion, for we are many.’”

So possessed was this man that his entire identity was shrouded. But Jesus commanded the demons and they fled.

“And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.”

That man became the first evangelist for his community. I look forward to meeting him in Heaven, along with countless others standing by his side as testimonies of God’s limitless power and saving grace.

And still today, each and every one touched by the Savior becomes one of those stories.

Hindsight is said to be 20/20. Time and perspective often draw conclusions only perceived in the rearview.

I wonder if God’s people feel this, in some way, as His promises unfold. History proves God’s faithfulness, one prophecy and revelation at a time—each building upon another, all in perfect correlation and divine inspiration. After all, every iota and dot of the Law, the Prophets, and the Gospels center around Jesus.

He was identified as the source of hope after sin befell humanity (Genesis 3:15); foreshadowed in the spiritual leadership of God’s appointed (Deuteronomy 18:15); and spoken of repeatedly through the lips and pens of God’s anointed (1 Peter 1:10-11).

It became increasingly clearer as time lapsed, God spoke, and Scripture was compiled.

Then one day, when the fullness of time had come, fulfillment unfolded.

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

The Promised Messiah was born, fully God and fully man. He grew up as a child, conducted ministry as an adult, endured the cross for sinners, and resurrected three days later.

All along, He taught His followers about Himself.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” – Matthew 5:17

There was even a time He laid out the whole timeline in a walk-and-talk lecture.

“And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” – Luke 24:27

Jesus Christ—the Son of God—is God Himself. He came to dwell among men and reveal the Father.

“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30

“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” – 1 John 5:20

He is the source and end of all things. Everything points to Jesus!

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” – Colossians 1:15-17

Unequivocally, all glory belongs to Him. Forever!

“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created … Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing! … To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” – Revelation 4:11, 5:12-13

You know someone provided clear directions or adequate instructions when you follow what they say and find it to be just as they described. How helpful to embark on a journey or walk through a process with well-defined guidelines and explicit directives!

Not surprisingly, this was Jesus’ approach during His time on earth. The Messiah came to fulfill the promises made about Him and explain the commands made to reflect Him. The Son of God spoke to man what His Father spoke to Him.

From the very start of His earthly ministry, Jesus expounded the Scriptures and foretold the future fulfillment of them. Most of the time, His listeners failed to understand. They would ask clarifying questions and receive wisdom from above. But it still didn’t click all the way.

Without fail, everything happened just like He said it would. When He commanded the dead to rise, they did. When He told the lame to walk, they did. When He rebuked the wind and waves to cease, they did. His followers were always in awe of the power of God on display through Him.

All along, He diligently prepared their hearts for His crucifixion. That day at Calvary would shake the faith of those who loved Him. But it would again be just as He said.

Jesus’ final meal was another proof.

“And on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, ‘Where will You have us go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?’ And He sent two of His disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, “The Teacher says, Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready; there prepare for us.’ And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.” – Mark 14:12-16

The subsequent events unfolded exactly the way He told them they would.

“The Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and He will be raised on the third day.” – Matthew 20:18-19

And then finally, when it was finished and the stone rolled away, angels appeared to confirm that all was according to God’s word.

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” – Luke 24:5-7

Just as He said. And so will be every promise yet to come.