Scriptures of the Day

2 Chronicles 6:7

“Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.” – 2 Chronicles 6:7

Have you ever wondered why King David was so consumed with the desire to build the temple of God? It was because David’s heart longed to abide with God. In every season of his life, David continually pursued the presence of the LORD. Even in his moments of falling short, there was one thing that terrified him above all else, and that was being separated from the presence of God.

When David was in the peaks of battle, battles that God Himself appointed him to fight in order to protect His people, David never relied on his own strength. Before he ever stepped onto the battlefield, he always inquired of the LORD. He did not move without first seeking God’s will. Out of those moments came the psalms, songs written from caves, from conflict, from fear, and from victory. Yet in every word, David revealed his dependence and reliance upon God.

Even when David entered a season of rest and comfort, his heart did not drift. Though his circumstances changed, his devotion remained the same. When life became easy, David did not forget his God, nor did he lift himself up as many others had done. Instead, David spoke to Nathan the prophet and said, “Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.”” (‭‭II Samuel‬ ‭7:1-2)‬ ‭How many of us can recognize how blessed we are, yet never stop to consider that we may be neglecting the house of God, the very place where we first encountered Him and learned His ways?

The temple of God is the place where we gather to be built up by the Word of God and where we are first drawn into deeper and more intimate fellowship with Him. There is no other place on earth where we hear the Word of God taught and are given the opportunity to practice the love and mercy He has commanded us to walk in. Yet too often, when we enter seasons of rest and comfort, we forget. But David teaches us that a heart that truly longs for God does not grow careless in times of ease. Instead, it grows closer to Him.

Now Solomon, David’s own son, testified before all Israel when the temple was finally completed, saying, Now it was in the heart of my father David to build a temple for the name of the LORD God of Israel.” Solomon and all the people of Israel knew how deeply David desired to build a house for the LORD. That even at the time of his departure, David’s final words were not centered on his family, his inheritance, or his own legacy, saying,

“Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death. Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel. And David said to Solomon: “My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build a house to the name of the Lord my God; (I Chronicles‬ ‭22:5-7)

Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them. Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance: woodsmen and stonecutters, and all types of skillful men for every kind of work. Of gold and silver and bronze and iron there is no limit. Arise and begin working, and the Lord be with you.”

David also commanded all the leaders of Israel to help Solomon his son, saying, “Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.”” (I Chronicles‬ ‭22: 14-19‬)

Here we clearly see what truly mattered to King David. In his final charge to Solomon and to the leaders of Israel, David was not focused on making the nation stronger, wealthier, or more successful. His greatest concern was that a temple would be built for the name of the LORD. David wanted his people to live close to God, and he desired for the presence of God to dwell among them.

Solomon’s words reveal what his father valued most. David was not consumed with the things he achieved in this world, because he knew that everything he accomplished came from the LORD. What David wanted to leave behind for his family and for his nation was not riches or power, but the house of God, a place that would bear the name of the LORD. David understood that a nation becomes truly strong, rich, and secure when God Himself dwells in the midst of His people.

David understood that nothing is greater for a nation or for a family than to seek the presence of God every day. He knew that God lives among His people and that God Himself is the greatest treasure we could ever have. David wanted his nation to be known by the name of the LORD, because there is no greater honor than to belong to the one true God and to live as a people who serve and worship Him.

So the question remains for us. Where do we want our families to be identified? With the things of this world, or with the name of the LORD Jesus Christ? We are called Christians, which means we belong to Christ. We bear the name of the LORD Jesus Christ, and that name is found only in Him. Our identity is not rooted in this world, but in the LORD Jesus Christ, who has called us by His name. As the LORD Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21) What we treasure will always show where our hearts truly belong.

Consider this question: where are we investing our time, our talents, and our treasures? King David spent his strength preparing for the building of God’s temple. His priorities were always centered on the LORD. David’s treasure was not found on earth, but in heaven. This is why he could say, “O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.” (Psalm 16:5) David understood that God Himself was his greatest possession. He also declared, “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.” (Psalm 73:25,) For David, the LORD was his inheritance and his portion forever.

How about you? What does your heart truly desire? Is it God or the things of this world? King David had only one true desire, and that desire was God. He said, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.” David understood that when we live for God, His goodness follows us. He also declared, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6) David lived with this hope and this desire. Do you have the same desire?

So again, we must ask ourselves: what are we building here on earth? Are we investing in what will pass away or in what will stand before God? Are we giving our best years, our strongest efforts, and our deepest devotion to temporary things or to the eternal kingdom of God? Where is your heart truly set? Is it the LORD Jesus Christ, or is it the world?

For Scripture reminds us, “And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17,)

What is happening to us as modern Christians? Many of us say we love God, yet we have quietly replaced the house of God with our own understanding of faith. We often say, “I can worship God anywhere,” and while that is true in our personal walk with Him, we were not created to live our faith alone. We were created for community. Scripture never uses personal devotion as an excuse to neglect fellowship. Instead, the Word of God warns us, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another.” (Hebrews 10:25)

Many Christians today have shaped their faith around convenience rather than obedience. We want God on our terms, in our timing, and in our own way. But Scripture reminds us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12) Now consider King David. David spent the strength of his life preparing for the temple of God, even though he knew he would never build it himself. The Bible tells us, “So David prepared abundantly before his death.” (1 Chronicles 22:5) Yet today, many of us struggle to give even one hour to the house of God.

Yet today, many believers treat church as optional rather than essential. The church is not just a building. It is the place where we are taught, corrected, strengthened, and formed. Scripture tells us, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints.” (Ephesians 4:11–12) When we separate ourselves from fellowship, we become vulnerable. The Bible warns us, “Woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10) Isolation often leads to pride, and pride opens the door to spiritual weakness. Scripture also warns us to stay alert: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) When believers stand alone, distracted and disconnected, they become easy targets for deception. This is why God designed the church as a body, not as individuals living in isolation. As Scripture says, “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” (1 Corinthians 12:18) Strength, growth, and protection are found when we remain connected to the body of Christ.

January 12, 2026
Luke‬ ‭9:62‬

“But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”” – Luke‬ ‭9:62‬

Jesus often used the things around us to help us understand what He was teaching. He spoke through simple images that we could easily recognize, especially when He was teaching about the cost of discipleship. Jesus knew that following Him would not be easy, and He wanted us to clearly understand what we were accepting. By His blood, we enter into a covenant with Him, just as He said, “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20). This is something many of us as Christians do not always take the time to explain clearly to new believers, yet it is central to what it means to follow the LORD Jesus Christ.

Many of us struggle to grasp, both in our hearts and in our minds, that following the Lord Jesus and joining in His mission was never meant to be easy. When we are called to follow Him, we are called to follow God in the flesh. Jesus Christ is the eternal Word, through whom all things were made. As the Word of God declares,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John‬ ‭1:1-4‬ ‭

Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of all things. saying,

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians‬ ‭1:15-17‬

Yet this same LORD humbled Himself. He took upon Himself human flesh, was born of a woman, lived among us, taught the truth of God, suffered, died for our sins, and rose again from the dead. Through His death and resurrection, we are delivered from sin, reconciled to God, and given the hope of eternal life in His kingdom. And to all of us who believe, He has entrusted the calling to bear witness to this gospel and to proclaim His good news to the world. This gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings salvation, is freely offered to all. Yet it was not obtained without cost. For our salvation to be given, it cost the Lord Jesus His very life.

For this reason, we come to understand His suffering and the importance of His mission to save all people as He died for them while still honoring the free will He has given to them. We are called to to be part of this mission. Yet because we have an enemy, this mission was never going to be easy.

The LORD Jesus made this very clear to us. He taught about following Him and sharing in His mission by using examples that were familiar to His hearers, so that we could fully understand what He was saying. He spoke of building a house, saying, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (Luke 14:28). He also spoke of a king preparing for battle, asking, “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?” (Luke 14:31). None of these works are entered into lightly, and none can be completed without first counting the cost.

Then He spoke the verse we will focus on, using the picture of a farmer at work plowing his field, saying, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

So, if we want to understand what Jesus meant when He said that a person who looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God, we must first understand the purpose of plowing and why looking back matters so much. Plowing happens before the seed is sown and long before the harvest ever comes, yet it determines whether there will be a good harvest at all.

Plowing is not the harvest. Many of us are eager for the harvest because harvesting feels easier and more rewarding than plowing or planting. Yet plowing is the first and most crucial step if there is ever going to be a good harvest. Without plowing, nothing that follows can succeed.

Plowing a field requires undivided attention. As Jesus said, a man who puts his hand to the plow cannot look back. Jesus also tells us to remember Lot’s wife. God had already brought her out to save her, yet she looked back and became a pillar of salt. Looking back does not simply mean remembering the past. It means longing for it. It reveals hesitation and a divided heart. It shows that part of us still desires the life we once lived, just as Lot’s wife longed for what she left behind.

We cannot move forward into the kingdom of God while our hearts remain anchored to what is behind us. The apostle Paul understood this when he said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14). When Paul speaks of what is behind him, he is speaking of his former life before he encountered the LORD Jesus, whether it was status, achievements, comfort, sinful desires, or worldly ambitions. These things must be laid aside and not returned to, for no man can press forward into what God has called him to while still bearing the weight of what once held him back.

These were the apostles who wholly followed the LORD Jesus. They understand what it means not to look back, and they understand the consequences of a divided heart. James warns us of this danger, saying, But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” (James‬ ‭1:6-8‬) When we are not fully focused on the LORD Jesus, our hearts become divided. We begin trying to serve two masters, ourselves and the LORD. But a divided heart cannot stand firm, and it cannot move forward. This is why Jesus said that such a person is not fit for the kingdom of God.

Plowing a field also requires endurance. It means pushing against the weight of the soil, often under the heat of the sun, for long hours. This reflects the reality of our lives as disciples of the LORD Jesus. As we follow Him, we will face resistance and opposition that can make us feel uncomfortable, discouraged, and weary. Yet the Word of God encourages us, saying, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). Jesus Himself also said, “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). Endurance is essential for every Christian. Endurance does not mean that when things become hard, we quit. We may need to rest for a moment, but we must not give up or turn back. We must learn to continue to persevere by praying and asking God to strengthen us so that we may overcome every difficulty we face. And we must remember that even when the work is difficult, we are not alone. God has given us His Holy Spirit, who strengthens us from within, as it is written, “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

Lastly, plowing requireth absolute commitment. When the work grows hard, the farmer does not turn back, but sets his heart to finish what he began. Even so, the task God assign unto us demands a heart that is established and determined. Jesus finished the work the Father gave Him to do. Paul finished his course, and so did the rest of the apostles. Even men like Samson and David, who fell short many times, were restored and finished the task God assigned to them. Their lives remind us that following God demands more than enduring hardship. It requires a heart that has already decided not to turn back. No matter what comes against us, we must be resolved to finish what God has entrusted to us. Paul expressed this heart when he spoke to the elders of the church in Ephesus, saying, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24). Paul was not moved by hardship, suffering, or danger because his heart was fixed on completing the work God gave him.

We are called to live with the same resolve. We are more than conquerors through Christ, and we are called to complete the task God has assigned to us. This is the purpose of our lives here on earth, that one day we may stand before our Lord in heaven and hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

I want to end with the primary purpose of plowing, which is to turn over the top layer of soil. By doing this, fresh nutrients are brought to the surface, while weeds and leftover crop remains are buried beneath the ground, where they can break down and decay. What once hindered growth is covered, broken, and put away so that new life can come forth. This sounds familiar because it is exactly what Jesus calls all of us to do. He said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” ‭‭(John‬ ‭12:24-26)‬ The Lord Jesus calls us to follow Him with a whole heart. Not a divided heart. Not a heart that keeps looking back. He calls us to a heart that is fully submitted to Him. This is the kind of death Jesus is talking about. It is the death of our own will, our desires, and our plans to live for this world so that we can truly live for Him.

When the LORD Jesus alone is God in our hearts and in our minds, He begins to work in us in ways we could never do on our own. He worketh in us that which is beyond our strength, for it is God who bringeth the increase. This is why the apostle Paul speaks so clearly about putting off the old life. He says, “Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man” (Colossians 3:9–10). When we believe in the Lord Jesus, we no longer belong to ourselves. We belong to Him, and our lives are now lived in submission to His lordship. As it is written, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). What God buries, He does not discard. He buries the old so that something new may rise.

So this is now true for us all who believe, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Thus, we are no longer what we once were. The old ground has been broken, the former things buried, and a new work begun. Just as plowing prepares the soil for fruit, God prepares our hearts through submission so that our lives may bring forth fruit that honors Him.

January 11, 2026
Psalm 28:5

“Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them And not build them up.” – Psalms‬ ‭28:5‬ ‭

I watched a Christian movie during the rise of atheism in Russia. I cannot remember the name of the movie, but it was a time when Christians suffered severe persecution for their faith. In the story, a husband and wife are torn apart by this oppression simply because they chose to hold on to their faith in God. Many years later, they are reunited, and the film retells their lives as a testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness over their lives, even in the darkest and most difficult times. This scene from the movie has remained with me to this day. During a harsh winter, the woman falls into freezing water. I do not remember whether she was pushed by a soldier or if it was an accident. What I do remember is her strong faith in God despite her difficult situation. As the cold overtakes her body, she believes she is about to die. Suddenly, a soldier reaches down, pulls her out of the water, and mocks her faith, saying, “Where is your God, the God you said would save you? I am the one who saved you.” Her response was so powerful it still remains in my heart to this day: “My God is alive, and He used your hands to save me.”

This helps us understand what King David meant when he said, “Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, Nor the operation of His hands…” This is the struggle for many people, like the soldier in the movie, and even for some Christians. Many live their daily lives without recognizing how God’s hand is moving in their lives, providing for them, protecting them, and sustaining them. They see the outcome, but they fail to acknowledge the source. The Word of God reveals to us the condition of their heart. It says, “… although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools.” The issue is not always a lack of knowledge about God. Often, it is a failure to see, acknowledge, and honor the hand of God at work in one’s life.

Failure to see the work of God is ultimately a failure to acknowledge the existence of God, because the works of the Lord and the operation of His hands reveal His glory among men. God makes Himself known through what He does. As it is written, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1). The presence of God is not hidden. It is displayed openly through His creation and His mighty acts.

When John the Baptist sent his disciples to ask Jesus if He was truly the Messiah who was to come, Jesus did not answer with argument or reasoning alone. He directed them to the works that were being done before their eyes. Jesus said, “… the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them.” (Luke‬ ‭7:22)‬ These works testified that God was present and active. They were clear evidence that the power and presence of God were at work. Likewise, the apostle Paul teaches that God’s presence has been clearly revealed since the creation of the world. As it is written,“because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” (Romans‬ ‭1:19-20)‬ ‭Creation itself declares the truth of God’s existence and leaves no room for denial.

Jesus clearly taught that His works were the greatest witness of who He is. He said, “But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.” (John 5:36) The works of the LORD Jesus were not random miracles. They were the manifestation of His presence and evidence that God’s promise to Israel concerning His visitation was being fulfilled right before their eyes. Yet many could not see it. Their hearts had become futile, and their eyes were darkened. Although the truth was standing in front of them, they failed to recognize it.

Even the disciples, who walked closely with Jesus, struggled to recognize God in the flesh. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father, Jesus replied, Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.” Jesus was telling Philip that He was the Father revealed in the flesh, yet they still struggled to understand. At that time, they had not yet received the Spirit of God, who would later teach them and help them understand these truths. They could not yet see that Jesus is the Word of God and that the Word is not separated from the Father, just as a person’s word is not separated from who they are. The Word was with God, and the Word was God.

When Jesus said, “The Father is in me,” He was declaring that God was manifested in the flesh before their very eyes. This was a hard saying and not easily understood unless God Himself reveals it. In His mercy, Jesus pointed them to evidence they could see. The works He did were works that only God could do. If they could not fully grasp the mystery of who He was, they were called to believe through what was visible before them.

This is why failing to acknowledge the hand of God over our lives is such a serious matter. When we fail to recognize the hand of God over our lives, whether in small things or great things, we slowly lose awareness of His presence. This helps us understand what David meant when he said, “He shall destroy them, and not build them up,” because they did not believe in God or regard His works. Jesus Himself said that those who believe in Him will be saved, but those who do not will be condemned. To reject God’s work is to reject God Himself.

The cross stands as clear evidence of God’s work. Jesus died for our sins, and this is not just a spiritual claim but a historical reality supported by history. Even the resurrection of the LORD Jesus is backed by evidence, through the eyewitness testimony of the disciples and the records preserved by historians. God has not left us without witness. His works, both in history and in our lives, testify to the truth of who He is and what He has done.

Moses gave a serious warning to the people of Israel before they entered the Promised Land. He reminded them not to forget the LORD who delivered them from slavery, fed them in the wilderness, and sustained them through every trial. He warned that when they became comfortable, prosperous, and secure, the greatest danger would not be enemies from outside, but forgetting God within their own hearts. Moses told them that when they enjoyed good homes, full fields, and abundant blessings, they must not say in their hearts that their own strength had gained these things. Instead, they were to remember the Lord, for it was God who gave them the power to prosper. Forgetting the Lord would lead them away from His ways and into destruction. (Deuteronomy 8:11–14, 17–18)

This warning is not only for Israel but for us as well. When we fail to remember what God has done, we begin to lose sight of His presence, and that is the beginning of our downfall.

January 10, 2026
Matthew‬ ‭10:39‬ ‭

“He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew‬ ‭10:39‬ ‭

Jesus teaches that following Him begins when we choose Him over ourselves, over our desires, and even over our closest relationships. He calls us to place Him first above our family, above personal dreams, and above our own understanding. He invites us to take up our cross and follow Him. This is where true discipleship begins. Then Jesus goes deeper. He says, “He who finds his life will lose it.” These words confront the way many of us live, and His words challenge us to reflect on the way many of us live, the way we plan, and the way we decide what matters most.

How many of us decide to get married and build a family before building an intimate relationship with God and seeking His will for that marriage?

How many of us enter university and choose a career before asking God which path He has prepared for us?

How many of us start a business without ever asking whether it is truly God’s will?

How many of us decide how many children we want without asking God how many children He desires to entrust to us?

How many of us place family above what God has called us to do?

How many of us assume that because we are gifted or successful in a ministry, it must be the ministry God has chosen for us, without ever asking Him?

And then we wonder why life feels dull. Why we feel lost. Why we feel it unfulfilled. Why the fire is gone.

Why there is no direction, no passion, and no real sense of purpose.

We keep moving, but deep down something feels off, empty, and heavy. It feels like we are breathing but have no life at all.

The truth is God was never sought first. His will was never valued first or made the priority.

This helps us understand what the Lord Jesus is teaching to all of us when He says, “He who finds his life will lose it.” The LORD Jesus answered why so much chaos exists in our lives. It comes down to one root issue, “self-seeking instead of God-seeking.” The danger is that self-seeking does not always look wrong. It often disguises itself as wisdom, self-care, or even maturity. And many of us don’t even notice it.

Pay close attention to the messages that surround you, especially in our generation. Many of them sound normal, but they stand in direct opposition to the Word of God.

“Find yourself.”

“What do you get out of this?”

“How does this serve you?”

“What are you gaining from this?”

“Will this fulfill you?”

“Will this satisfy you?”

“Will this benefit you?”

We hear them in movies, in music, on social media, and even from the people we care aboutmost. These voices are loud. But they are not the voice of our LORD Jesus. And if we are not careful, they will slowly shape our decisions, our priorities, and the way we define life itself.

The LORD Jesus does not ask us what we gain; He asks us what we are willing to lay down.

Now that we understand there is no life to be found in the life this world offers unless God is sought first and His counsel is set above our own.

When the Lord Jesus says, “Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it,” He is not speaking only of physical death but of a life willingly laid down in honor and submission to God.

This truth is clearly seen in the lives of the apostles.

Apostle Paul declares, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Paul did not live for himself, nor for his own ambition. He laid down his life for the Lord Jesus, counting everything else as loss for the sake of knowing Christ.

Apostle Peter also testifies to this same calling when he writes, “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind… so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:1–2). Though Peter had many shortcomings, he learned to deny himself and to choose the life appointed for him by the Lord Jesus.

These men of God did not die to fulfill themselves; they died to fulfill the calling of God upon their lives. This is the death the LORD Jesus calls us to, the death of our own will, our own desires, and our own ambitions. Because whatever governs our life becomes our master.

If our own will leads us, then we are not living for God but for ourselves. The Lord Jesus set the perfect example for all who belong to God. He said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me” (John 6:38). He also testified, “The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority… and the works that I do are not My own, but the Father who dwells in Me” (John 14:10). In this, the LORD Jesus shows us how a child of God is meant to live not according to our own will, but according to the will of the Father. Even the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sends, does not speak on His own authority but speaks what He hears and glorifies God (John 16:13–14).

Setting aside our will before the will of God is the fulfillment of the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength (Mark 12:30). Yet this is the commandment many of us overlook. To love God in this way means that He must be above what our heart desires and above what our mind reasons. It means that the will of God must come before our own will, before our emotions, before our thoughts, and before our understanding. For love for God is not proven by words alone, but by obedience and submission to His will.

When we place God’s will above ourselves, we do not lose life, but we find it. Not because God seeks to control us, but because He calls us to trust Him and to depend on Him. The Lord invites us to acknowledge Him in all our ways and to seek His counsel before we take our steps. God desires to walk with us in every part of our lives, for apart from Him we can do nothing.

This truth remains certain: the Lord knows us better than we know ourselves. He formed us and understands the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. He knows what will bring us true joy and the desires He has placed within us, free from the noise of the world and the desires of the flesh. When we commit our way to the Lord, we do not lose ourselves. We are led into the life for which we were created. As it is written, “Those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them.”

January 8, 2026
Psalms‬ ‭63:3‬ ‭

“Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You.” Psalms‬ ‭63:3‬ ‭

Have you ever felt the love of God penetrate so deeply into your heart that tears begin to fall without you even realizing it?

For us to understand what David meant when he said, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,” we must first understand that the love of God is so deep that it cannot be taught. Words alone are not enough to express the love of God. No one can fully explain how to feel God’s love unless that love has been personally encountered. As it is written, “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:19). This tells us that the love of God cannot be learned from letters alone. It is not something the mind grasps first, but something the heart encounters. To feel the love of God is something we must experience for ourselves. This is why David could say that life itself cannot compare to the lovingkindness of God. He had encountered a love so deep that even life on this earth could not surpass it.

God speaks of this love when He says in Jeremiah, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” His words tell us that His love is everlasting. It never ends. It does not change with time, failure, or circumstance. Unlike our shallow and conditional love, the love of God is deep, deeper than the oceans, and it lasts forever. This helps us understand the Hebrew word David uses for lovingkindness, “ḥeseḏ.” It means steadfast love, mercy, goodness, kindness, and faithfulness. God’s love is constant and unchanging. It is unconditional, not based on our performance or our faithfulness, but rooted in who God is. As it is written, “God demonstrates His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful.

If you have ever been deeply betrayed by someone you truly loved and gave everything to, then you understand how painful that road is. You know how difficult it is to trust again and how hard it is to give that person another chance. That experience gives us a bit of understanding of what God feels.

We have all betrayed God; not just once, but generation after generation has turned away from Him, often without any desire to know Him. Yet God does not turn away from us. Instead, He continually pursues us with His love. As He declares, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). God’s love is always giving, even when we do not deserve His goodness. His love is willing to give chances, to forgive, to reconcile, to restore, and to offer salvation, even though many still neglect it today.

This kind of love goes beyond our goodness and beyond our understanding, not even close. As it is written, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39). This is why the love of God is better than life. Life can easily be taken. Everything we have in this world can be lost. But nothing in this life or in the life to come, not even death itself, can separate us from the love of God.

Do you understand how deeply God loves us? His love for us was so great that He was willing to take on the form of a man, come down, teach us His truth, live among us, suffer as we suffer, and die on the cross, paying a debt we could never pay. The salvation we have received was not without cost. It is offered to us freely, yet it cost the life of Jesus, who is God manifested in the flesh. He rose again, conquering death by His death, so that we might live with Him forever in His everlasting kingdom. This is the greatest expression of the love of God. He chose to die for us rather than be separated from us forever. He gave His life so that we could have life.

The love of God brings such deep peace in our heart and in our mind that it becomes our greatest assurance. It completes us in a way nothing in this world ever could. When that love fills the void in our heart, we no longer chase the things of this life to replace it. We no longer need validation for what we feel or think, because we know deep inside that the love of God is greater than anything this world can offer.

If you pay close attention to the lyrics of secular music, the stories in novels, the messages in movies, and even the lives of the people around you, you will notice a common longing. They are all searching for a love that goes beyond conditions, a love that reaches deeper, a love that completes the person, a love that is better than this life, a love that cannot be priced, and a love that lasts forever. Yet this kind of love cannot be found in the world. It is found only in the LORD Jesus Christ, and only His love can fill the longing they are searching for.

The lovingkindness of God is better than life because breathing does not always mean truly living when the love of God feels absent. This is why many wealthy people are still depressed. If the riches of this world were truly satisfying, why do some still feel that life is not worth living? Nothing in this world can fully fill the void within us.

If we seek the love of God in the things of this world, we will never find it there. The love we are truly longing for is found only in our Creator and His name is Jesus Christ. Truly, His lovingkindness alone can make us whole and enable us to truly live with peace in our minds and hearts and with joy that sustains our lives.

When we truly encounter the great love of God, something begins to change deep within our hearts. That inner transformation soon becomes visible in our lives, and all we can offer to Him in return is praise and thanksgiving.

January 5, 2026
Psalms‬ ‭28:1‬

“To You I will cry, O Lord my Rock: Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.” – ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭28:1‬ ‭

I have been deeply enjoying reading the life of King David and his journey of faith toward God’s purpose over his life. After reading his story, I find myself turning to the book of Psalms, and the Psalms become easier to understand when we know why God called David “a man after His own heart.” If we do not understand this, we will never fully go deeper into the book of Psalms.

The Psalms are filled with David’s adoration and devotion to God. They are his love letters to the LORD. How could a man so imperfect have a heart and a mind that constantly ran back to the LORD? It is because David did not live for perfection. He lived for God, and his entire life revolved around Him.

David understood that being called king was not about position or power. It was about a God-given purpose over his life. God did not raise David to a higher position to glorify David. He called David for His own purpose, and David was fully aware of it. David ruled not for himself, but to lead God’s people back to God, to protect them, guide them, and point them to the LORD God. This is why we must be careful and examine our hearts. Are we chasing a higher position, or are we walking in a position that brings us closer to God? How do we know if we are in the place God has assigned to us? It will always draw us nearer to Him.

King David was given a high position and experienced many victories, yet none of these things lifted his heart above God. We know this because when David sinned, his greatest fear was not losing the throne, the crown, or his victories, but being separated from the presence of God (Psalm 51:11). For David, God mattered more than anything else. That is why his life and ministry continually pointed him back to God in every situation. And when his life became heavy and the weight pressed in on him, he did not turn to people. He did not run to comfort or escape. He cried out to God, saying, “To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock.”

When David called God “my Rock,” he was declaring that God was the One who upheld him, the One who made him unmovable. No one could shake him because God was his foundation. As it is written, Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock (Matthew 7:24–25). ” A wise man who lives for God and relies upon Him builds his house upon the rock. When the storms come and calamity strikes, that house will not be moved. This is exactly what David meant. No matter the situation, the circumstances, the hardship, or the difficulty that came upon his life, God remained his Rock. God was the One who sustained him, protected him, defended him, and delivered him.

Then David continues in his prayer and cries out, Do not be silent to me, Lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.” Do you understand that God voice is the expression of the Word of God? All that exists was created because God spoke.

Scripture declares,

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said… – Genesis 1

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. – Psalm 33:6

… even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. – Romans 4:17

“By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” – Hebrews‬ ‭11:3‬

This is why the silence of God is so serious. If God were silent with no intention of helping us, if He were to shut Himself off from us, we would all be in danger. When God is silent, the pit is already opening, because the very Word that gives life to all things would no longer be heard.

David knew that the Word of God is light for our path ahead. As he says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) God’s Word gives us direction, discernment, and wisdom for every step. Without it, we begin to lose our way. We do not stand still. Our steps drift toward darkness, and the path begins to lead toward the pit.

This is why David said that if God were silent, he would become like those who go down to the pit, like those who are dying. Apart from the Word of God, there is only death. Jesus Himself said, …the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) When many disciples turned away from Jesus and followed Him no more, He asked the twelve if they would also leave. Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68) Life was found only in the Word of God.

David knew that the silence of God’s Word was more dangerous than any enemy he would ever face. Saul could not destroy him. Goliath could not defeat him. Armies could not overthrow him. But separation from the presence and the voice of God would lead him straight to the pit, because it was the Word of God that guided him in every step of his life.

But God is not silent now. God is crying out to the world through His Word and through His people, “and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”” (Mark‬ ‭1:15‬)

God is calling us to repent and believe in Jesus! Because life is only found in Jesus [The Word of God who become flesh]

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” — (John 3:36)

God is speaking through our mouths as His Church to preach the gospel so that all may live and not die.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

Yet Scripture also warns us that a time of God’s silence is coming. The Word tells us that there will be days when people will seek to hear from God, but His voice will no longer be heard. God Himself says,

““Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord God, “That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord. They shall wander from sea to sea, And from north to east; They shall run to and fro, seeking the word of the Lord, But shall not find it.” – Amos‬ ‭8:11-12‬ ‭

That is why now matters! This is why today matters! While God’s Word is still being preached and His voice is still calling, we are invited to respond. The Word of God says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Corinthians 6:2)

Do not ignore His voice today, because the silence that comes later will not lead to life. Choose the Word that gives life now. Choose Jesus while His voice can still be heard. Open the door to Him while He is still knocking. If God does not answer, there is nowhere else to turn.

January 3, 2026
Colossians‬ ‭3:13

“bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Colossians‬ ‭3:13‬ ‭

Every new year, many of us begin by setting our plans and goals for the year ahead. Today marks the first day of 2026, and God led me to this verse. There is no greater goal this year than becoming the person God is calling us to be, and that is to love Him with all our being. When our love for God is genuine, it is reflected in how we love our neighbor. This year should not revolve around ourselves but around His will and His purpose for our lives.

When Paul wrote to the believers in Colossae, he began by reminding them of who they were in God. He called them “the elect of God, holy and beloved (Colossians‬ ‭3:12‬).” Before correcting behavior, Paul first affirmed their identity in Christ. Only after that did he tell them how they should live and treat one another. Then, Paul urged them to “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12). These qualities reflect the very character of God. As followers of the LORD Jesus Christ, we are called to walk the way He walks—full of mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

The verse we are focusing on continues with Paul continues with this instruction, “bearing with one another.” The Greek word used here is “anechō,” which means to endure, to bear, or to suffer patiently. This reminds us that loving others sometimes requires patience, especially when relationships are difficult.

Many Christians today openly express frustration about their church or their experiences with other believers. While those feelings may be real, we must remember this truth, just as others may be difficult to us, we can also be difficult to others. None of us are perfect. We are all still growing, and God is still working in each of us.

To bear with one another does not mean we excuse their wrong behavior. Instead, it means we choose patience, kindness, and understanding, even when it is hard. We extend to others the same grace God has shown to us. Just as the LORD Jesus has been patient and kind with us, we are called to show that same patience and kindness to one another.

This is why Paul continues by saying, “and forgiving one another.” He understood how challenging this can be. It is not easy to remain patient with someone who claims to follow Christ but does not always reflect His character. Their actions can wound us, offend us, and cause real pain. Yet forgiveness is not optional for us believers; it is a command from God. As it is written, ““For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew‬ ‭6:14-15)‬

Have you ever considered how powerful forgiveness truly is? This is why Paul continues by saying, “If anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” The truth is, we all have complaints against one another, against ourselves, and even within our own families. We are imperfect people, wounded and still healing, all in process as God works to release us from past pain and trauma. There is so much happening in our hearts and minds, and sometimes the pain we carry overflows into our relationships. Yet, Paul expands God’s command to love our neighbor by giving us deeper instruction. He reminds us that forgiveness is not based on how others treat us, but on how the LORD Jesus Christ has treated us. “Forgiving one another, even as Christ also forgave you.” Think about that for a moment. We are all broken in different ways, yet God did not turn away from us.

When you read the Gospels, you can see that Jesus truly understood our weakness. He didn’t pretend it wasn’t hard. He even said, “How long shall I bear with you?” (Matthew 17:17). Jesus felt the same frustration and pain we feel when people disappoint us, offend us, or wound us deeply. As it is written, “He sighed deeply in His spirit” (Mark 8:12). That deep sigh reveals the weight Jesus carried in His heart. Imagine God putting on human flesh, walking among His own creation, and declaring Himself to be the Son of God, yet even His closest disciples, who saw Him, heard Him, and touched Him, still struggled to believe in Him. That pain was real. As it is written, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John‬ ‭1:11‬)‭

And yet Jesus chose to bear with them. He chose to bear with us. He did not walk away when people failed Him. He did not give up when they doubted, misunderstood, or offended Him. Instead, Jesus carried our sins to the cross so that we could be forgiven and brought back to the Father. “For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). That joy was not the pain of the cross, it was the forgiveness He would extend to us. The cross is the clearest proof of God’s deep and powerful forgiveness. God placed our sins upon the LORD Jesus Christ so that we could be reconciled to Him. This forgiveness was not earned. We did not deserve it. Yet God gave it freely because He loves us deeply. Instead of giving us the wrath we deserved, He chose mercy. Instead of pushing us away, He chose reconciliation.

This is why forgiveness is so powerful. It brings us back to God and frees us from guilt and shame. And when we choose to forgive others, it frees us too. Forgiveness breaks the hold of bitterness, anger, and hatred the very chains the enemy uses to keep our hearts bound. Forgiveness does more than release us; it changes us. It produces love, peace, and joy within us. It opens the door to healing, restored relationships, and reconciliation. It allows God’s grace to move freely in our lives and reveals His character through us—merciful, patient, and full of love. As it is written, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar” (1 John 4:20). Forgiveness is not just something God gives, it is the evidence that His love is truly at work in us.

Today, on the first day of this new year, my prayer for you is this, ask God to give you a deeper understanding of His great love for you and His great forgiveness toward us all. As you grow in that understanding, may He also give you the grace to forgive those who have hurt you, just as Christ has forgiven you.

January 1, 2026
II Chronicles‬ ‭1:7

“On that night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”” — II Chronicles‬ ‭1:7

Before King David died, he gathered the leaders and people of Israel for one final address. David made it clear that God Himself had chosen Solomon to be the next king of Israel.

David also addresses his deep desire to build a house for the Lord, but the task was not appointed to him. God had appointed his Son to build the temple for His name. David was a man of war who had shed much blood, and because of this, the LORD chose Solomon, his son, for that great work.

When God spoke of His Son building a house for His name, we understand that Solomon’s calling becomes a foreshadowing of God’s greater plan, a glimpse of the redemption God would accomplish for the entire world through our LORD Jesus Christ. As it is written, Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” But He was speaking of the temple of His body.” (‭‭John‬ ‭2:19, 21‬ )

Solomon took his father’s words to his heart and fully committed himself to the task entrusted to him. Before he ever began building the temple, Solomon went to Gibeon, where the tabernacle of the LORD God was located. There, he offered a thousand burnt offerings before God to express his gratitude and thanksgiving.

That very night, Solomon encountered God in a dream. And God said to him, “Ask! What shall I give you?”

Many of us long to hear those words from God. Imagine the LORD God coming to us and asking what we desire. In Solomon’s case, there were no stated conditions placed on God’s invitation. The Lord simply said, “Ask.” The Word of God later confirms that Solomon could have asked for many things. God Himself said, ““...Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king—” ‭‭(II Chronicles‬ ‭1:11)‬. This tells us if Solomon had asked for long life, the defeat of his enemies, or great wealth, the LORD would have granted it.

This verse has become a dream for many people, including Christians, who desire God to appear and ask them what they want, almost as if God were a genie granting wishes. But before we claim the promise, we must look carefully at the context.

Solomon was chosen not just to rule over another nation but to lead the very people of God. Along with the crown, he was given a divine assignment to build the temple of the LORD. Solomon was willing and determined to complete this work, using the materials his father, David, had already prepared. For those who are willing and determined to walk in what God has called them to do, God is faithful to respond. As Scripture says, “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)

This is the God we serve. We cannot outlove Him, outserve Him, or outgive Him. Whatever we place in His hands, He is able to return far more than we could ever offer.

Abraham was willing to trust and obey God, even when it meant leaving everything familiar behind. He believed God, and God counted his faith as righteousness, blessing him and making him the father of faith and a blessing to all nations.

David, the father of Solomon, began his journey as a shepherd, yet God raised him up to become the ruler of Israel.

Isaac was willing to walk in the promise given to his father. Even during a time of famine, he remained obedient, and God blessed him abundantly.

Joseph stayed faithful through seasons of suffering, choosing to trust God rather than grow bitter. In due time, God exalted him and used him to preserve entire nations.

Moses, though he felt inadequate and unqualified, obeyed God’s call. God used him to deliver Israel from bondage and spoke with him face-to-face, showing to us that God works powerfully through those who are willing to follow Him.

Have you noticed that Jesus says this to His disciples repeatedly? Again and again, He tells them, “Ask, and it shall be given to you.” (Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9; John 16:24). When Jesus spoke these words, He was not speaking casually or addressing the crowds at random. He spoke them to those who were walking with Him, learning from Him, and being prepared for the work He would later entrust to them. His invitation to ask was directed toward disciples whose hearts were being shaped to align with God’s will and purpose.

Now, we must not misunderstand this. God desires everyone to ask Him, to depend on Him, and to rely on Him fully. Yet the focus here is not merely on what we are asking but on the fact that God Himself invites His people to ask. When we truly walk with God and live in His presence, we often find that we ask for less, not because we lack need, but because our hearts are at rest. In His presence, there is peace, trust, and confidence that God will take care of us. Our prayers become filled with thanksgiving and praise.

Yet the LORD Jesus still calls us to bring our desires before Him, “that our joy may be full.” (John 16:24). Those who love Jesus deeply and abide in Him will not ask for things that would turn their hearts away from His presence. Rather, their requests are shaped by fellowship with Him, and their desires are formed by walking in His will. We see this clearly in the life of King David. In his moments of greatest failure, what terrified him most was not the loss of power, wealth, or position, but the thought of being separated from the presence of God. He cried out, “Take not thy holy spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:11) This is the heart of those who truly walk with God not a heart that demands, but a heart that longs to remain in His presence above all else.

In other words, God’s invitation was not about self-centered desires but about partnership with His mission. Jesus made this clear when He taught His disciples about abiding in Him. He said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John‬ ‭15:7‬)‭ Every Christian who walks closely with Jesus can be assured that God hears their prayers. I want to share my personal testimony. This past week had been filled with rain, which is common during December in California. Yet about six months before my son’s birthday celebration, I prayed and asked God for a bright and clear day. By God’s grace, that Saturday turned out to be a beautiful, shining day, and there was no sign of rain at all. My prayer had nothing to do with church ministry. It was simply the prayer of a daughter speaking to her Father in heaven. Our Father God does not forbid us, His children, from enjoying life here on Earth. Instead, He wants us to enjoy His blessings in ways that draw us closer to Him rather than lead us away.

Even before Solomon asked, God already knew what was in his heart, for the Lord declares the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). He knew that Solomon would ask for wisdom so that he could serve God’s people, and this request pleased Him.

When we come to God not seeking to please ourselves but to honor Him, He delights in answering our prayers in ways that draw us closer to His presence, not farther from it. The Word of God also helps us to understand why some prayers seem unanswered. As it is written, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James ‭4:3‬). Some prayers go unanswered not because God is unwilling, but because what we are asking for could become a stumbling block that might slowly turn our hearts away from Him. Let us keep this in mind and guard our hearts carefully. God’s responses to our prayers are always guided by His love and His desire to keep us abiding in Him.

December 30, 2025
Psalms‬ ‭60:11

“Give us help from trouble, For the help of man is useless.”

What is interesting about this verse is what King David must have felt while he was in battle against his enemies. We can read the historical accounts in 2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18, but those passages mainly record David’s victories and triumphs. They do not fully describe his struggles, his fears, or the emotions he experienced in the midst of war.

“David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his territory at the River Euphrates. David took from him one thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots. When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David’s servants, and brought tribute. So the Lord preserved David wherever he went.” II Samuel‬ ‭8:3-6‬ ‭

Psalm 60 gives us a picture of the heart of King David during the battles, before the victories and before the celebration. Instead of focusing on triumph, King David speaks about the opposition, resistance, difficulties, and challenges he faced while the battle was still ongoing.

When we read about the victories of King David over his enemies, we may think that God did everything for David. While God is the source of victory, scripture also shows us that David still had a part to play. God works in us and for us, yet He did not create us to do nothing. He created us with purpose, in His own likeness, to walk in obedience and faith. God desires to work in us, but He also desires intimate fellowship with us. Throughout Scripture, we see that God works together with His people, not apart from them. One of my favorite examples of this is the battle of Jericho and the entry into the Promised Land. God was with Joshua and the people of Israel, fighting alongside them to drive out the giants and the nations of Canaan.

For God to bring victory and success to King David, David walked a path filled with long hours of preparation, seasons of testing, moments of struggle, and times when the outcome was uncertain. Faith did not remove the battle; it shaped how David walked through it. Also, victory did not come without effort, faith, and endurance.

Yet this does not mean that God left David on his own. Scripture clearly tells us, “…And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (2 Samuel 8:14). God was present in every step, guarding him through every challenge.

We understand this truth in our own lives, especially in our work. Our coworkers have their own weaknesses. Under heavy pressure, mistakes happen. Misunderstandings arise. Things become messy. Sometimes people choose not to help because of personal reasons. In moments like these, we are reminded that human help can fall short. This is true in every area of life. Doctors can help us, but they cannot fully heal us. Therapists can guide us, but they cannot completely fill the emptiness inside. Even our husbands and wives can love us and support us, yet they too have limits.

King David declared that without God, even the strongest help is empty. This truth is powerful when we consider how the Bible describes the men who fought alongside him. David’s army was not weak or untrained. Scripture calls them mighty men of valor, warriors known for courage, strength, and skill in battle.

The Bible describes these men not as ordinary men, but as mighty men who fought alongside King David. (2 Samuel 23:8)

One of them is Josheb-basshebeth, is described as a man who “…lifted up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.” (2 Samuel 23:8)

Another, Eleazar, stood his ground when others fled, “And he arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword…” (2 Samuel 23:9–10,)

Then there was Shammah, who defended a field when “… the people fled from the Philistines. But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines…” (2 Samuel 23:11–12)

The Scriptures also tell us about Abishai, the brother of Joab, who was chief of another group of three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three.” (II Samuel‬ ‭23:11-12, 18‬)

There were many more warriors like these. All of them are described by Scripture as “Mighty men of valour, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear…” (1 Chronicles 12:8)

Yet King David’s words remind us that while God may use people to help us, even the strongest human help has limits. Our ultimate help comes only from the LORD God. When human strength reaches its end, God’s strength remains.

We may trust the people around us but the truth is this, only Jesus can fully help us with every trouble we face or find ourselves in. People can support us, but they cannot heal every wound, fill every emptiness, or carry every burden. Only God can do that. Because the people around us have their own limits, their own weaknesses, and their own struggles. They may want to help, but they cannot do everything.

Like David, we can cry out to Him and say, “Give me help from all the trouble I am facing, for the help of man is useless.” LORD Jesus, You alone can fill the void and emptiness inside me. You alone can transform my life. You alone can touch people’s hearts. You alone can change lives. You alone can make a way, and You alone can lift my head high. You alone give me strength when I am weak and hope when I am weary. You alone see my struggles before I speak them. You alone go before me in every battle and remain with me in every storm. When I have no answers and no strength left, You remain faithful.

You alone, LORD Jesus, are our greatest Helper —the One who died on the cross for us, rose again, and loves us deeply. He is our refuge and our deliverer. In every season of trouble and in every moment of need, You are enough. Our very present help in times of troubles. Amen!

December 28, 2025
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,” – I Peter‬ ‭5:6‬ ‭

This verse was written by a man who once lived impulsively and often acted before thinking and before understanding. On the night before Jesus was betrayed, Peter confidently said to the Lord, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” ...” (Matthew 26:35), and yet later that same night he denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:61). That same night, when Jesus was arrested, Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. By harming the servant of the priest, Peter could have been judged and faced severe punishment, even death. But the Lord Jesus healed the servant, removing the evidence of Peter’s sin, just as He has done for all of us.

But this same Peter was transformed by the grace of God and filled with the Holy Ghost. God used him to teach the early church, and through his words, He still teaches us today, saying, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God”. Yes, Peter was impulsive, but his love for God was genuine.

And if we are honest, we see ourselves in him. We live in this flesh, and too often it pulls us into sin and away from the will of God. When fear took hold of Peter, he denied the LORD Jesus. There was no excuse for what he did, just as there is no excuse for our own failures. Yet God, who is rich in mercy and grace, always reaches out to us. He gives us what we do not deserve and offers us another chance to make things right, just as He did for Peter.

Peter came to understand what he once lacked and what many of us still struggle with today, and that is humility before God. Humility does not come naturally to us. We are born in the flesh, and the flesh produces death. It is filled with pride which leads to sin, chaos, and a broken life. From a young age, we learn to compare ourselves with others, to compete, and to prove our worth. We chase brands, status, and appearances because we think that make us look wealthy successful and important, believing they will somehow give us value.

Pride reaches far deeper than what we wear or what we own. Families are broken because of pride. Jesus said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.” (Matthew 19:8). Divorce was never God’s desire. It was permitted because hardened hearts refused humility. Many people argue about the grounds for divorce, especially sexual immorality. But if we are honest before God, we must admit that all of us have been unfaithful in one way or another. From the beginning, humanity has chosen disobedience. Adam chose Eve over obedience to God. Israel repeatedly chose idols over faithfulness to the Lord. Time and time again, God’s people turned away from Him.

By our sin, we all deserved separation from God. Divorce means separation, and God had every right to separate Himself from us. Yet look at how God responded. He did not respond with pride, as we often do. He did not say, “You failed, so I am done.” Instead of choosing judgment, He humbled Himself and put on human flesh. He was declared as the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He went to the cross, died for our sins, and rose again so that we could be reconciled to Him. This is humility.

Humility brings reconciliation. Pride brings separation. When we choose humility, we choose people over pride, restoration over being right, and love over judgment. In the same way God chose us over judgment.

Humility is very important before God. There is no true repentance without genuine humility. It is the moment we kneel before Him and honestly say, “LORD Jesus, I am wrong. I am a sinner, and I need You to save me from the mess I have made.”

Humility is also an open door in many ways. As we have learned, it opens the door to reconciliation, forgiveness, and salvation. Humility is yielding to God, relying on Him, and depending on Him at all times. It is acknowledging that God is God in our lives, not us. This is where we begin to understand why Peter says, “that He may exalt you in due time.” When God truly sits on the throne of our lives, in our minds, our hearts, and our souls, He is faithful to bless us in ways only He can. As it is written, By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life (Proverbs 22:4) and Before honour is humility (Proverbs 15:33) .

When we walk in meekness before God, we learn not to lean on our own understanding but to trust in Him. We begin to acknowledge Him before we act, before we speak, and before we decide. This shows a willing heart. God will not force Himself on anyone, because He honors the free will He has given us. He works with those who are willing to walk with Him. And as His Word promises, God will direct our paths, because a humble heart is always willing to walk and work with Him.

If you desire to be exalted by chasing pride and the approval of this world, it may make you look successful and wealthy on the outside, but inside you will still feel empty. You can have the titles, the money, and the applause, yet your soul will remain unsatisfied because pride promises fulfillment but never delivers.

But when you humble yourself before God, something changes in a deeper way. God opens doors you never knew were there and He lifts you in ways no one else can. He gives honor that does not fade along with riches that cannot be taken away and a fulfillment that reaches the deepest places of your heart.

Peter learned this truth firsthand. Though he was known for his impulsiveness, through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit and through intimate fellowship with the LORD Jesus, Peter was exalted by God. He became a pillar of the church not by his own strength or ability but through the power and grace of God working in his life.

December 26, 2025