TODAY’S READING: 1 Samuel 1:9–4:11.

WORD OF THE DAY: Sacrifice.

It’s one thing to pray for a miracle; it’s another thing to give that miracle back to God. Today’s reading follows Hannah as she does the unthinkable: she delivers her young son, Samuel, to the Tabernacle. Her story is a high high, but it’s met with the extreme lows of Eli’s sons, who were misusing their positions of leadership.

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Eli was a kind man, but he failed to restrain his sons. They were handling the holy sacrifices with greed and lust, showing no respect for God. It took years for God’s judgment to be fulfilled, but it reminds us that God does not turn a blind eye to sin, especially when it’s committed in His name. He is a God of justice who exalts the humble and brings down the proud.

It is the act of offering something precious to a deity. Hannah’s sacrifice was deeply personal—she gave up the daily presence of her son for the service of Israel. This points us directly to the ultimate sacrifice: God giving His Son, Jesus, to rescue us. While the Israelites in Samuel’s day were failing to handle animal sacrifices correctly, Jesus became the perfect, unblemished sacrifice that would end the need for any other.

Even when the “official” leaders were failing, God was speaking. The story of young Samuel hearing God’s voice in the night is such a beautiful reminder that God’s plans are bigger than human failure. He was preparing a prophet who would lead Israel out of the darkness of the Judges and into a new era.

Hannah’s prayer in Chapter 2 is full of praise for God’s power. When you look at the “ugliness” in the world or in leadership today, how does it comfort you to know that God is still “thundering against those who fight against Him”?

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Father, thank You for the hope we find in Your Word. Even when things feel dark and leadership seems broken, we see that You are still at work. We thank You for Hannah’s faith and Samuel’s listening heart. Most of all, we thank You for the ultimate sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus, who redeemed us when we couldn’t redeem ourselves. Help us to live lives of sacrifice that honor You today. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Ruth 4:13–22; 1 Chronicles 2, 4; 1 Samuel 1:1–8.

WORD OF THE DAY: Devotion.

We often think of genealogies as just lists of names, but as we saw today, they are actually records of God’s faithfulness. In the middle of these lists, names like Ruth and Jabez pop out to remind us that God sees the individual. He sees the foreigner who chooses Him, and He sees the man who asks for His blessing.

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Today we transitioned from Ruth’s “happily ever after” to Hannah’s “hard beginning.” Both women faced circumstances that could have led to bitterness, but they chose a different path: Devotion. Ruth was devoted to Naomi and her new God, and Hannah was devoted to the Lord even while her heart was breaking from infertility and the taunts of Peninnah.

It means love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person or cause. We see it in Ruth’s hard work and Hannah’s persistent prayers. But even more than that, we see God’s devotion to us. Even during the dark times of the Judges, God was enthusiastically working behind the scenes to craft a lineage that would lead to our Savior. He doesn’t give up on His people, and He won’t give up on you.

If you feel like you are in a “dark place” right now—perhaps facing loss like Naomi or a “closed womb” like Hannah—remember that God is not done. He takes our weaknesses and uses them as a canvas for His power. Hannah’s story starts in a sad place, but as we’ll see tomorrow, her devotion leads to a breakthrough that changes history.

Hannah took her “great distress” to the Tabernacle and laid it before the Lord. Is there a “Peninnah” in your life—someone or something that is taunting you or making you feel “less than”? Write a prayer surrendering that pain to God today.

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Lord, thank You for Your devotion to us. Thank You that even when we feel weak or forgotten, You have a plan to bring beauty out of ashes. We pray for anyone feeling “barren” or “bitter” today—would You soften their heart and fill them with hope? Give us the courage of Ruth and the persistence of Hannah to trust You in the hard places. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Ruth 1:1–4:12.

WORD OF THE DAY: Bitter.

The Book of Ruth is the breather we all needed after the chaos of the Judges. It’s a story about a woman needing a home and a family needing hope. But beneath the surface, it’s a history lesson in God’s grace. Ruth was a Moabite—descended from a line marked by struggle—yet God chose her to be a key part of the lineage of Jesus.

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Naomi returned to her homeland so broken that she asked to be called “Mara,” which means bitter. Bitterness is often the result of feeling that God has dealt harshly with us. We’ve all had those “Mara” seasons where life feels like a series of unjust losses. But look at the antonyms of bitter: gentle, loving, kind, and tender. That was Ruth. Her “sweetness” eventually touched Naomi’s heart and reminded her that God had not abandoned them.

According to the dictionary, it means to feel resentful because of bad experiences. Naomi’s feelings were real—she had lost her husband and sons. But bitterness doesn’t have to be the final chapter. Through Ruth’s faithfulness and Boaz’s integrity, we see Naomi’s heart begin to soften. It’s a powerful picture of how God uses people to bring us back to Himself.

Ruth is one of only five women mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. Think about that: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary. Most of these women were marginalized or had “messy” stories, yet God placed them right in the center of His redemptive plan. It gives us hope that no matter where we come from, God can weave our lives into something beautiful.

Ruth left everything she knew to care for a bitter mother-in-law. Is there someone in your life who seems “grumpy” or resentful right now? How can you show them a “Ruth-like” tenderness today to help soften their heart?

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Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Ruth—a woman who sought You even as an outsider. We thank You that You take us from hard places and give us a beautiful story. For anyone listening who feels bitter today, we pray that You would soften their heart and fill them with hope. Help us to be loyal friends and to trust Your plan even when the road is uncertain. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 19–21.

WORD OF THE DAY: Violence.

There’s no way around it: today’s reading is painful. It’s graphic, disturbing, and makes your heart ache for the victims of the “senseless violence” described in these chapters. When we see God’s chosen people—the ones He rescued from Egypt—acting with such cruelty and disregard for human life, it serves as a stark warning.

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Why did it get this bad? It seems the “weak link” was a failure to teach. The Book of Instruction wasn’t being read, and the Covenant wasn’t being honored. Instead of following God’s laws, the people followed their own impulses. It’s a sobering reminder that we are only one generation away from losing our way if we don’t intentionally pass down the truth of who God is.

It is defined as behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill. From the murder of the concubine to the kidnapping of the daughters of Shiloh, these chapters are saturated with it. But even here, we see the “But God” factor. God is a God of justice, and while it is hard to wrap our minds around why He allows such darkness to persist for a time, we know that He ultimately conquers evil.

If you’re feeling burdened by the weight of these stories, take heart. We are closing the book on Judges and moving into the story of Ruth tomorrow. The darkness of these final chapters makes the light of faithful people like Ruth and Naomi shine even brighter. God was still working, even when it was hard to see.

Psalm 17:1 is a plea for justice. When you look at the violence in the world today, how does it change your perspective to know that God is a God who hears the cry of the oppressed? Write a short prayer asking for His justice in a specific situation.

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Father, it is hard to read about the violence and brokenness in these chapters. We plead for Your justice in our world today, just as the faithful ones must have prayed in the days of the Judges. Enlighten our minds to see You clearly, even in the midst of darkness. Thank You that Your story doesn’t end in Judges 21, but continues into a story of redemption. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 16–18.

WORD OF THE DAY: Strong.

Samson is one of the most famous figures in the Bible, but his story isn’t just about big muscles and long hair. It’s about a God who refuses to give up on His people, even when they consistently make “foolish” choices. Today we see Samson lose everything—his hair, his sight, and his freedom—only to regain the one thing that truly mattered: his connection to God.

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In Judges 17 and 18, we see a heartbreaking look at what happens when nobody is teaching the Book of Instruction. Micah and his mother want to “honor God,” but they do it by breaking almost every rule in the book—stealing, making idols, and hiring their own priest. It reminds us that sincerity isn’t a substitute for truth. When we stop reading the Word for ourselves, our faith becomes a distorted version of what God intended.

To be strong is to be able to withstand great force or pressure. While Samson had physical strength that could rip apart lions and pull down buildings, his internal strength was brittle for a long time. However, in his final moments, we see a different kind of strength—the strength to humble himself and cry out for God’s help.

If you feel like you’ve messed up too many times or broken too many “vows,” let Samson’s story encourage you. God used a prideful, impulsive man to bring a great victory for His people. As 1 Corinthians 1:27 reminds us, God uses the “foolish” things of the world to shame the wise. Your past mistakes do not disqualify you from being used by a mighty God today.

Samson’s hair grew back, but his true strength returned when he turned his heart back to God. What is an area of your life where you feel “weak” right now? How can you trade your own self-sufficiency for God’s strength today?

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Lord, we thank You that Your light shines brightest in our darkest moments. We confess that we often try to be strong in our own power, and we fail. Today, we seek Your strength. Help us to stay grounded in Your Word so we don’t drift into our own “Micah-like” versions of faith. Use our weakness for Your glory. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 11:29–15:20.

WORD OF THE DAY: Foolish.

If you grew up in Sunday school, the story of Samson probably involved felt boards and stories of superhuman strength. But as we read the actual text today, we see a man who was often a “hot mess.” From killing 30 men just to settle a bet over a riddle to burning down grain fields in a fit of rage, Samson’s life was a series of impulsive reactions.

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It is heartbreaking to see the tribes of Israel fighting internally. The “Shibboleth” incident shows us how deep the divide had become—where a simple slip of the tongue (or a regional accent!) could cost a man his life. It’s a stark contrast to the unity God intended for His people.

To be foolish is to show a lack of good sense, judgment, or discretion. We see it in Jephthah’s rash vow and Samson’s prideful demands. Proverbs 16:18 warns us that “Pride goes before destruction,” and we see that play out in real-time here. When we think we are invincible or try to “deal” with God on our own terms, we invite pain into our lives.

The most encouraging part of today’s reading is the reminder that God can and will use the foolish to accomplish His plans. Samson was far from a perfect hero, yet he was exactly who God used to begin disrupting the Philistine oppression. If God can use a man who throws “temper tantrums,” He can certainly use us in our weakness and imperfection.

Have you ever made a “foolish vow” or a rash promise to God in a moment of stress? How did that turn out, and how did you see God’s mercy in the aftermath?

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Father, sometimes we look in the mirror and have to ask, “What was I thinking?” We thank You for Your gentleness when we are foolish and Your compassion when our pride leads to a fall. Point out the areas where we are leaning on our own understanding instead of Your wisdom. Guide us to make choices that honor You. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 9:22–11:28.

WORD OF THE DAY: Cursed.

In today’s reading, we see the conclusion of the Abimelech saga. It’s a gritty reminder that the evil we put out into the world often finds its way back to us. Abimelech scattered salt over Shechem to ensure nothing would ever grow there again, yet he met his own end at the hands of a woman with a millstone.

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It’s easy to feel like the events of Joshua happened just a few days ago in our reading, but today’s text reminds us that 300 years have passed. That is longer than the United States has been a nation! It explains why the people struggled to remember God’s instructions—they were living in “ancient history” and had neglected to keep the Word of God central to their lives.

A curse is a pronouncement of ill fortune that comes when one opposes God’s plan. Jotham’s curse over Abimelech was fulfilled to the letter. But here is the beautiful reality for us: while we were all “sin-cursed,” Jesus became a curse for us on the cross (Galatians 3:13). He took the “unfairness” of our sin so that we could receive the grace we don’t deserve.

One of the most moving verses in this section is Judges 10:16. After years of rebellion, the Israelites finally turned back, and it says God was “grieved by their misery.” Even when we are the ones who caused our own mess, God’s heart breaks for us. He doesn’t just want to punish; He wants to redeem.

Tricia’s husband, John, often asks, “Do you really want fairness?” If God were “fair” with us today, what would that look like versus the mercy He has actually shown you?

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Lord, thank You that You are not “fair” in the way we often demand. Thank You for taking our curse upon Yourself so that we might walk in freedom. Help us to be careful with our words and our decisions today, knowing that You see us and Your heart is for us. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 7–9:21.

WORD OF THE DAY: Consequences.

We often talk about the “Gideon’s Army” victory as a highlight of the Bible, and for good reason! Watching God whittle down an army to 300 men who lap water like dogs is a masterclass in divine strategy. But today, we also had to look at the “aftermath” of that victory, which serves as a powerful warning for us all.

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Gideon started out hiding in a winepress, doubting every word the Angel of the Lord said. Yet, once the victory was won, his focus shifted. He told the people the Lord would rule over them, but then he immediately asked for their gold. That one decision—to create a sacred ephod—became a “trap” for his entire family. It reminds us that our secret pride can often be more dangerous than our visible enemies.

A consequence is simply the result or effect of an action. We saw beautiful consequences when Gideon trusted God’s plan, but we saw devastating ones when he allowed his name to be shouted alongside the Lord’s. One wrong turn by a leader can create a ripple effect that touches generations.

Michelle and Tricia shared today about the “severe mercy” of consequences. Sometimes, God allows us to hit the “lowest of lows” or face the “broken pots” of our own making so that His light can finally shine through the cracks. If you are walking through hard consequences today, remember that God is a master at weaving incredible stories out of our deepest pain. He tenderly picks up the pieces of our “cracked pots” and puts us back together.

Gideon asked the soldiers to shout, “For the Lord and for Gideon!” Is there an area in your life where you are trying to share the credit with God? What would it look like to make your “shout” for the Lord alone today?

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Father, thank You for Your immense patience. We see ourselves in Gideon—trusting You one moment and doubting the next. We thank You for the “severe mercies” in our lives that bring us back to Your heart. Wrap Your arms around those walking through hard consequences today and show them that You are still in control. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 3:31–6:40.

WORD OF THE DAY: Marching.

Today’s reading takes us through some of the most famous—and gritty—stories in Judges. We see Shamgar taking down 600 Philistines with nothing but an oxgoad, and we meet Deborah, a wife and prophet who sat under a palm tree and gave direction to a nation.

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Michelle reminded us today that there is power in simply reading the Word, even when we don’t feel like we’re catching every single nuance. The Bible is our “oxgoad”—it’s a tool that spurs us toward wisdom and helps us say no to sin. As Jesus prayed in John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

To march is to walk in a military manner with a regular, measured tread. In Judges 4:14, Deborah tells Barak to get ready because “the Lord is marching ahead of you.” This is such a powerful image! Whether it was the Israelites facing iron chariots or Tricia facing an unplanned pregnancy at seventeen, God is the one who crosses over ahead of us like a devouring fire to clear the path.

Isn’t it incredible that God called Gideon a “mighty warrior” while he was literally hiding in a winepress? God doesn’t wait for us to feel strong to use us. He uses our imperfections and our doubts to showcase His strength. When we look back at our lives, we can see the “marches” where He went before us, subduing our fears and providing a way through.

Think back to a time—whether it was forty years ago or just yesterday—when you can clearly see that God was “marching ahead” of you, preparing a path you didn’t even know you needed. Write that story down as a witness to His faithfulness.

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Lord, thank You that Your eyes are always on us. We confess that we sometimes fear Your watchful eye, but we thank You that it is an eye of love and compassion. Thank You for marching ahead of us today. Give us the faith to follow where You lead, knowing the victory is already Yours. Amen.

TODAY’S READING: Judges 1–2; Judges 3:1–30.

WORD OF THE DAY: Conquest.

We’ve officially hit Day 90! To mark the occasion, Tricia is digging out her 1990 wedding photos (complete with the classic perm), and we want to see your “90s” memories in our Facebook group. But as we pivot into the Book of Judges, the tone shifts from the celebration of the Promised Land to a much heavier reality.

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Michelle pointed out a significant “weak link” as we start this book: the lack of a centralized successor. While Joshua empowered families to lead their own households, the nation as a whole began to drift without a Moses or Joshua at the helm. It didn’t take long for the “Yes, we will serve the Lord!” of the previous generation to turn into “Let’s see what the neighbors are doing.”

A conquest is anything acquired by conquering a territory or people. However, in Judges, we see three stages: the initial conquest, the incomplete conquest (where tribes failed to drive out the inhabitants), and finally, the failed conquest (where the Israelites ended up being conquered by the very people they were supposed to remove).

If you ever think the Word of God is dry, just look at the story of Ehud. It’s a gritty, cinematic tale involving a hidden dagger, a very large king named Eglon, and a daring escape through a latrine. But beneath the shock value is a deeper truth: God uses ordinary, flawed people to deliver His children when they finally cry out in repentance.

It’s easy to judge the Israelites for their constant backsliding, but Tricia reminded us that we are often just like them. We start the day with bold intentions, only to get distracted by worries or “thorns” by noon. The good news? God’s faithfulness isn’t dependent on our perfection. He is long-suffering and always ready to raise up a deliverer when we turn our hearts back to Him.

The Israelites struggled because they didn’t fully clear the land of distractions. What is one “distraction” in your life right now that is making it hard to keep God as your primary focus?

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Father, thank You for Your incredible patience with us. We confess that we often get distracted and fall into the same cycles as the Israelites. Help us to have a complete conquest over our doubts and fears today. May Your Spirit give us the victory we cannot achieve on our own. Amen.