Yesterday, a Russian judge sentenced US women’s basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for bringing marijuana into Russia with criminal intent. However, this outcome was expected to clear the way for negotiations over her release. In The Daily Article for August 5, 2022, Dr. Jim Denison considers how surprising the news—and our lives—can be, then turns to look at our motivations as Christians for following God. For more on the kind of faith that positions us to experience God’s abundance, please see Dr. Jim Denison’s article, “Mustard donuts and a hot-air balloon restaurant.”