Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me. (Ps. 69:16)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 69:14-18

“I can do it myself.” Raising little children is both daunting and rewarding. I loved the years of getting to cuddle, snuggle, and meet their every need, but time does not stop and the next thing I knew, I heard, “I can do it myself.” Parents often long for the day their children meet the next milestone in life, but when it comes to the I-can-do-it-myself stage, something inside me longed to go back to when they needed me for everything. Adult children still need help, a little wisdom from having been there and done that, but the help is in different ways.

David knew whom to turn to for help. He knew the goodness and great mercy of God. He depended on God. Having been in the mire and muck that came from having others’ hatred beat him down, David knew how that left the condition of his soul. He did not want that experience again. Instead, he called on the Lord to lift him up out of it before he went under.

We cannot do life all by ourselves at any age. Just as we respond with assistance when our adult children ask for help or advice, so God responds to us in our need.

Depend on God to be independent from self.

Carol Jimerson is a wife, mother and grandmother who loves writing, the outdoors, and mentoring. She is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church, Penn York District.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him. (2 Kings 23:25)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 23:25

I have heard a few references in my lifetime to generational leaders—persons whose skill base and leadership toolbox combined with eye-of-the-tiger dedication led to significant ministry impact that set them apart from the common herd. Their leadership was generational perhaps, but not for all time.

I have sat in funerals on occasion and wondered when listening to the eulogy if I had dropped into the wrong funeral service. This has also occurred while listening to some speaker or leader being introduced when “leaps over tall buildings in a single jump”-type language was employed. Was this just innocent hyperbole or did they actually believe that stuff?

When exaggerated or voluminous detail is being provided by way of introduction, I sometimes wonder if the Master or the messenger is being honored. With Josiah, the “intro” is brief, to the point, powerful and incomparable: “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him.” Not now. Not ever.

The word here on Josiah goes far above, far longer, than merely a generation. This description of his leadership is not overstatement or deliberate exaggeration to impress or avoid facing reality. Rather, this is God’s Word, an account of a man who “turned to the Lord” (v. 25).

We are all “one of a kind,” and like Josiah, may the words spoken by us and of us honor the God we serve.

Never underestimate the multigenerational influence of a leader.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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He did away with the idolatrous priests. (2 Kings 23:5)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 23:1-5

I read about a megachurch pastor who stated that his church had been in a membership drive and drove out fifty. While having the desired shock effect, he went on to explain that a review of their records revealed several who were in clear and persistent violation of their commitments and had been dropped. “Blessed deletions” was a term that was used.

While the approach of that pastor could be debated, there is no doubt that times arise when things need to change. To be observed. To be reviewed. Perhaps even to be deleted.

Josiah faced just such a time. The first twenty-five verses of chapter 23 list the actions taken by the king as he led the people back to the God of their fathers. After renewing his commitment to the book of the covenant in the presence of the Lord, he set out with clear determination to clean house, as it were.

The long list of “blessed deletions” that he ordered were not trivial things born out of tradition and preference. They were principled matters—clear violations of the book of the covenant.

While the phrase “he did away with” may have an ominous negative overtone, there are times in our lives when a review of practice versus principle may be in order. The need for blessed deletions may emerge perhaps, and if so, change is in order.

Never underestimate the ability of a dedicated leader to effect massive change.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

“But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are honest in their dealings.” (2 Kings 22:7)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 22:7

He was the dad of a dear friend who worked in the fishing industry. Prior to his conversion, his life was disordered and plagued by unwholesome habits. These patterns led to distrust, especially with the handling of money. Following his conversion, serious life change occurred. The man who had been distrusted became a man and employee who was fully reliable, even with money, because an encounter with Christ makes a difference.

I was once told that it is better to be trusted than to be loved. Over time I came to embrace this truth. Every person wants to be loved. We cannot find any exceptions to this, even though some may declare they do not care if anyone loves them or not. Love is largely emotionally based or circumstance controlled. Trust, on the other hand, is always character based. If faced with a love versus a trust decision, I want to be remembered as a leader who could be trusted.

The men from today’s reading had developed a reputation of complete integrity and faithfulness. The highest level of trust was present in these men who “handled the cash,” as it were. Their proven practice revealed that they were honest in all their dealings. What a compliment! No questionable activity. No cutting corners for their own benefit. No slightly shady deals. Trust.

Never underestimate the immense value of trust.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. (2 Kings 22:2)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 22:2-4

A man in my hometown passed away, and in remembering him, one lifelong friend remarked, “Bill Moore could always be depended upon to do the right thing.” A high compliment from a man who knew him well across decades.

Today’s key verse goes on to say, “ . . . and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” Josiah was consistent, faithful, predictable, and principled. He did not leave his subjects wondering whether he would do the right thing. They did not question if he would withstand any suggestion to do the wrong thing, whether the pressure was nuanced or direct.

Like all of us, Josiah surely faced many opportunities to compromise principle for temporary benefit. Many of us within the church who claim the name of Christ find ourselves in this cultural moment facing pressure, both subtle and direct, to compromise principle for temporary benefit.

Historians indicate there were as many as fifteen generations from David to Josiah. Josiah lived his life and ruled his country on a foundation of multigenerational time-tested beliefs and practices; he “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” and did not turn away from doing what was right. Like Josiah, we can strive to continue to do what is right.

Never underestimate the heritage you received or the one you pass along.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

His mother’s name was Jedidah. (2 Kings 22:1)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 22:1

“Hi Mom!” are the words very frequently spoken by sports stars and other celebrities when being interviewed. While I mean no disrespect to dads in this matter, I do not recall ever hearing the words “Hi Dad!” in such a context.

The same is true in today’s reading. We discover that Josiah’s mother was Jedidah. No mention of his father. While his more distant paternal ancestry is highlighted, his dad is not mentioned.

While no background is provided about Jedidah, the fact that Josiah’s mother was mentioned by name seems to indicate a positive influence on the young monarch. While the details of her relationship with her son are unknown, there is no doubt about the enormous role godly mothers play in the development and discipleship of their children.

In the words of fourth-century pagan philosopher Libanius, “What women these Christians have!” The impact of dedicated moms was quite obviously recognized in that era so long ago. History continues to replay and display that impact every time a Christian mother rises to seize the moment of influence with her children.

William Ross Wallace back in 1865 captured this “mother power” reality when he penned the words, “The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world.” Slightly overstated perhaps, but the sentiment rings true: A godly mother has great influence.

Never underestimate the impact of a godly mother.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Josiah was eight years old when he became king. (2 Kings 22:1)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 22:1

He was about eleven or twelve years old. Following a sermon in his local church in New York on “the call to ministry,” he sought out that morning’s preacher to seek counsel and advice. The young boy clearly testified to a deep sense of belief that his life was to be spent in ministry and he asked several questions about recommended places to study following high school and related matters. But his core question was “Am I too young?”

The story of Samuel tells us that his dad, Elkanah, went home from the annual sacrifice to the Lord, but Samuel stayed behind to minister for the Lord under Eli the priest. While his precise age is not specified, the context of the event makes it clear that Samuel was very young, but in time, he would grow to become one of Israel’s greatest leaders.

Christ himself was found confounding the priests and elders in the temple when he was only twelve. While he was truly one-of-a-kind, his anointed interaction with the elders at this young age would seem to indicate that a call to ministry is not strictly a matter of biological age.

Care must be given when coaching or counseling young people seeking the Master’s direction for their lives. However, we must always remember that one of the greatest and most godly kings in Israel was just a kid.

Never underestimate the potential of the young.

HC Wilson is General Superintendent Emeritus of The Wesleyan Church. He and his wife, Debby, reside in New Brunswick, Canada.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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My eyes fail, looking for my God. . . . But I pray to you, Lord, in the time of your favor. (Ps. 69:3, 13)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 69:1-13

As a white-haired woman in her sixties, I have been part of middle- and upper-level leadership for a long time. However, ministry leadership is often a male-dominated world, and one of the development pieces I continually struggle with as a woman at that leadership table is insecurity. Due to past traumas of school-age bullying for being “other” in the turbulent world of missionary kids, my first response is often defensive, especially when I am uncertain of protocol or when my thoughts are questioned. The world of human interaction—even wholesome discussions required to make good decisions as a team—can make me feel uncertain and ultimately unsafe.

Too often, my response is to choose fear over faith, and being defensive or paranoid is highly toxic behavior that can quickly sabotage any relationship. Godly coaching that grounds my identity in God has been a developmental piece that encourages me to choose caring over anger and opened me up to better communication in both workplace and home.

This lovely song preserved for us from the days of the great biblical musician David is an emotional outcry of fear. The despair is palpable, the words strong. Yet the writer, presumably David, refocuses as he often does on his grounded identity in God and his own commitment not to bring shame to those who hope. David chose faith over fear.

Ground your identity in God to fuel your faith.

Sandy Emmett is the director of care for Global Partners of The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, walking her dogs, playing with her grandchildren, and reading a good book.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

The priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard them. (2 Chron. 30:27)

Expanded Passage: 2 Kings 18:1-7; 2 Chronicles 29:3-7, 18-19, 27-30; 30:1, 13, 25-27

Within the missions organization I serve, the employees use a tool to measure their own personal growth. Quarterly reviews are expected, and though some leaders give more attention to them than others, one of the expectations of this review is simply to listen to the individual’s growth spiritually, personally, and professionally, and provide encouragement where needed. My first year on the job, I was an overachiever. Rather than attainable goals broken down into areas that made sense for my lifestyle, interests, passions, and stage of life, my personal growth plan was filled with points and subpoints.

Living out my plan became a hard thing, especially when my health made me take a sideline. My supervisor offered gentle counsel to right-size my plan and the next quarter gave me such happy encouragement when I was able to look back over the two quarters and see I’d been given a godly blessing. That experience stuck with me and has encouraged me to provide blessing and encouragement to those I lead.

The priests and Levites were brought together by King Hezekiah. This group of God’s people, originally charged with the spiritual direction of all the people, had probably fallen into decades of discouragement following the atrocities initiated and perpetuated by the previous king. King Hezekiah led first by his own commitment to God and then charged the priests and Levites with a right-sized return to their role and the resources to bring great blessing to God’s people.

Bless the people you lead.

Sandy Emmett is the director of care for Global Partners of The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, walking her dogs, playing with her grandchildren, and reading a good book.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Listen to today’s devo!

Since the days of Solomon . . . there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. (2 Chron. 30:26)

Expanded Passage: 2 Chronicles 30:25-27

For most of us, 2020 became a defining year in our historical timeline. People around the world often talk about life BC and AC: Before Covid and After Covid. Restrictions became part of daily life. In some countries, rules were so strict that you couldn’t leave your house unless authorized, or you could only leave for an hour a week or an hour on alternating days. Some people are still required to mask in certain settings like public transportation.

We also developed new common language like “social distancing,” “personal protective equipment,” and “essential businesses.” Companies and organizations had to adjust and pivot, and churches were no exception to this. The return of attendees regularly to public places of worship has been slow, due to a number of reasons, but as people began to gather again, even if there were rules for spacing, a palpable relief—a joy—was felt at being able to worship together.

King Hezekiah invited all the people to come together. The separated kingdoms of Judah and Israel, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, and even the foreigners in their midst pilgrimaged and gathered together, and there was great joy. In a portion of Scripture that is often dry with the process of religious restoration, the wording becomes almost poetic: “God heard them, for their prayer reached heaven” (v. 27).

Come together with many voices, for God hears from heaven.

Sandy Emmett is the director of care for Global Partners of The Wesleyan Church. She enjoys riding bicycles, hiking, walking her dogs, playing with her grandchildren, and reading a good book.

© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.