Daily Devo

Listen to today’s devo!

“You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.” (2 Sam. 12:12)

Expanded Passage: 2 Samuel 12:11-14

A few weeks ago, our family went hiking and our adventures took us into a giant cave in southern Indiana. We came prepared with flashlights, headlamps, and clothes that could withstand the mud, and even though we had been in similar caves before, the darkness took me by surprise. The lack of light had an oppressiveness about it, the way it seemed to close in on us the longer we were there. Our boys loved exploring the cave. But me? I was eager to get back out into the light.

Shameful secrets can hold great power over us. Like being stuck in a cave in utter darkness, secrets tend to press in. They hold us captive. For David, his string of hurtful, harm-filled choices left him in the shadows, and the consequences were severe for him, for his family, and for his people. But God was not content to leave him shrouded in secrets or stuck in darkness. Rather, God brought David back out into the light.

Stepping into the light after periods of darkness can come as a shock. The change is jarring. Our eyes need time to adjust. While the initial transition may not be comfortable or even wanted, we can trust that goodness is always waiting when God invites us to reveal our secrets and step back into the light.

Reflect on a time when telling a secret released you from shame.

Sarah E. Westfall is an author and speaker who currently resides in northeast Indiana with her husband Ben and their four boys; she is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

“And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.” (2 Sam. 12:8)

Expanded Passage: 2 Samuel 12:7-10

A dwindling bank account. A death in the family. A persistent sense of loneliness. All these things can tap us on the shoulder on any given day, drawing our attention to what seems to be lacking in or around us. I have lost track of the number of times I have found myself trying to force situations in a particular direction, hoping to rid myself of the ache but losing sight of a Father who gently reminds us, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:31).

When Nathan talked with David, he passed along God’s message of remembrance, drawing David’s attention back to all the ways God had been with him, all the gifts he had given him along the way. While David was focused on hiding his misdeeds, it was as if God was saying, “The freedom you have been seeking has always been here—and then some!” But sometimes it is hard to see where we are without remembering where we have been.

Looking back helps us see our present more clearly. History is revealing, not only peeling back the layers of God’s goodness, but also giving us a lens through which to see our present moment. Remembrance helps us recall God’s abundance, to remember a God who says, “If all this had been too little, I would have given you even more.”

Make a list of all the ways you have seen God’s goodness.

Sarah E. Westfall is an author and speaker who currently resides in northeast Indiana with her husband Ben and their four boys; she is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house. . . . But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. (2 Sam. 11:27)

Expanded Passage: 2 Samuel 11:18-27

Every new follower felt like a quick hit to my ego. Every “like” was a boost to my self-esteem. I found my sense of worth ebbing and flowing with the algorithms. It did not take me long in the modern world of social media to realize how attractive (and addictive) this type of influence could be. We want to live lives of meaning, which is a good thing, but so often we confuse attention with influence and power with pleasing God.

As we can see from David’s string of coverups, if power is our aim, then we are often left grasping. A desire for the spotlight or a spotless reputation can snowball as we strive to be at the top or appear perfect, leaving a trail of hurt and harm in our wake.

But when we hold up David’s story against the life of Jesus, what we see is that the pursuit of power might build kingdoms, but it is not the way of God’s kingdom. There are people who grasp for power and control, no matter the cost, and there are people who lay their power down for the good of others. The second way is the way of Jesus. The second way is how we practically learn “to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with [our] God” (Mic. 6:8).

Ask God to help you embrace humility in positions of influence.

Sarah E. Westfall is an author and speaker who currently resides in northeast Indiana with her husband Ben and their four boys; she is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?” (2 Sam. 11:10)

Expanded Passage: 2 Samuel 11:6-11

I lay crying on the wood floor as the words finally spilled out of me. Quietly, my dad listened. He sat without flinching as I (a teenager at the time) recounted secrets I had been holding close. Fearful of what might happen or what people would think of me, I had been hiding so many things—from my parents but also from myself. I had been unwilling to look at and name the truth of my situation, and as a result, spent many months trying to ignore, fix, and forget what I knew in the deeper parts of my soul.

The moment David received word from Bathsheba, “I am pregnant,” he began to spin out of control, trying to find ways to cover up his indiscretions. But when his plan did not pan out, he panicked. We can almost hear the anxiety in his voice as he questioned Uriah, “Why didn’t you go home?”

We have all been there—that moment when we can either bring our dark secrets out into the open or find yet another way to cover them up. But what we see in David’s life (and maybe our own) is that secrets kept in the shadows gain unhealthy power over our souls. Shame suffocates and leaves us crouching in the darkness, but there is freedom in confession as we bring our full selves out into the light.

Reflect on what you might be hiding from yourself, God, or others.

Sarah E. Westfall is an author and speaker who currently resides in northeast Indiana with her husband Ben and their four boys; she is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

David sent someone to find out about her. (2 Sam. 11:3)

Expanded Passage: Samuel 11:1-5

“I didn’t mean to!” he exclaimed, while simultaneously wiping chocolate off his face with the back of his hand. Maybe he was telling the truth. Maybe when our son asked for a sweet, he did not intend to take the whole basket or hide behind the leather chair unwrapping chocolate after chocolate that left a pile of foil wrappers in his wake. But standing in front of me, I could see it in his eyes: that flicker of knowing. The full truth was hidden behind his words.

Motivations are tricky, often simmering beneath the surface but influencing our actions nonetheless. What might masquerade as curiosity or good intent can often have a dark underbelly, where unnamed evil twists and grows to convince everyone (maybe even ourselves) that our choices are justified. Left unexamined and unnamed, intentions can sour, and bad things are done in the name of good.

We cannot know for sure what happened within the workings of David’s heart and mind as he looked, looked again, inquired, and then had Bathsheba brought to his room. But I wonder how David’s story might have been different if he had taken the time to name his motivations. How might saying our unspoken desires out loud to God or to a trusted friend shift the course of our actions? How might confession help us point our desires toward what is good?

Pause to reflect on and name your intentions.

Sarah E. Westfall is an author and speaker who currently resides in northeast Indiana with her husband Ben and their four boys; she is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University.

© 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!

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. (Ps. 65:9)

Expanded Passage: Psalm 65:9-13

My daughter wanted to start gardening a few years ago, so we helped her get started with carrots, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Her mom and I worked with her to make sure she had everything she needed: seeds, soil, water, and all the gardening accessories. She worked hard planting the seeds and watering the soil, and she loved to watch the plants grow.

Then came the day for the harvest. Oh, how exciting that day was. She walked in holding her carrots and a handful of cherry tomatoes. She was smiling ear to ear, beaming with pride that she grew a beautiful vegetable garden. As her father, I was excited about the harvest and full of joy for two reasons. First, I was proud of my daughter for her hard work and accomplishment. Secondly, I was grateful to God for supplying everything that was needed to make her garden.

Similarly, the psalmist praised God for the harvest. While we never want to minimize the human effort, we do well to remember how God has given all the necessary provisions for the land and the workers. Whether we have a garden or not, we too can take time out of our day to praise God and give thanks for all he provides in our lives, including clothes, food, housing, and much more. How have you given thanks today?

God provides and cares, so take time to give him praise.

Andrew Christman, a proud veteran of the US Army, serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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!

“Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” (1 Sam. 17:32)

Expanded Passage: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-13; 17:32-37; 18:14; 1 Chronicles 1:1-3

Goliath was terrorizing the Israelite army. Every soldier in Saul’s forces was petrified to step onto the battlefield and to fight the fierce warrior. Goliath was a giant man and a skilled soldier. He was the hero of the Philistines. He stood before the Israelites calling for someone to come and fight him, but no soldier would. They were all frozen with fear.

Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? Have you ever been standing before a Goliath or a storm or a crisis but afraid to move? If you have, you are not alone. Nearly everyone, at some point in their lives, finds themselves facing a terrifying trial they must overcome. But when that happens, the question is: What are you going to do in that moment? Will you remain frozen in fear or trust God and take action?

David chose to take action. While everyone else was hiding and running from the fight, David made the choice to trust God and face Goliath. There will come a time in every Christian’s and Christian leader’s life when they will be faced with a similar choice. Therefore, you must be willing to examine and ask yourself, what will I choose? In that moment, I hope and pray that each of us will choose to trust God and take action.

Do not remain in your fear, but step forward in faith.

Andrew Christman, a proud veteran of the US Army, serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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!

And the Lord your God said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.” (1 Chron. 11:2)

Expanded Passage: 1 Chronicles 11:1-3

When I was serving in the Army Reserves, I had the distinct privilege to serve in the chaplain corps. Being a part of the chaplain team came with many great opportunities to minister to and help soldiers. As a chaplain assistant, I had the privilege to serve with great chaplains who knew how to serve soldiers well. One of these chaplains, who is now a dear friend, is a wonderful example of what a leader is supposed to look like. He trusted those under his command. He would give a command and have confidence that I would accomplish it. Because of this, I wanted to be the best soldier I could be. He inspired me to be my best.

The Lord trusted King David. He put David in charge of Israel and gave him the right to rule over them. God knew David was not perfect, but he still entrusted Israel to him. He saw great potential in David, and through God, David had great success.

As Christian leaders, we must understand that we are not perfect. However, God has entrusted us to go and accomplish his will. He has called us to serve, minister, and preach. We are his shepherds whom he has trusted. God is not looking for perfect leaders, but he is looking for obedient leaders who seek to emulate Christ.

Strive to be an obedient, Christlike leader.

Andrew Christman, a proud veteran of the US Army, serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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!

In everything he did he had great success, because the Lord was with him. (1 Sam. 18:14)

Expanded Passage: 1 Samuel 18:14

When I first began serving as a part-time pastor, I was given the opportunity to preach the sermon for our Sunday evening services. I was twenty years old, confident, and excited, and I believed I was ready to preach with fire. However, when the Sunday came for me to deliver my first sermon, I was frozen with fear. The idea of getting in front of that small congregation terrified me. I was afraid they would judge me or not like what I had prepared. I feared my sermon was inadequate.

A close friend of mine saw that I was nervous and said to me, “Why are you scared? You’re not preaching alone; God is up there with you.” That small statement has stayed with me because it is true. No matter what, God is with me.

David had been anointed the next king of Israel. He was serving under King Saul and he had, through God, defeated the giant Goliath. Because of all of this and because of Saul’s fear, David was appointed commander of one thousand men. He and his army had great success because the Lord was with them.

When God has called us, we do not need to fear or be troubled by the task at hand. Instead, we can move forward, confident we have God who goes with us.

Go in confidence, knowing the Lord is with you.

Andrew Christman, a proud veteran of the US Army, serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

© 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 Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Sam. 17:37)

Expanded Passage: 1 Samuel 17:32-37

When I was a child, my parents were caretakers of a church campground. One summer, after they worked hard to prepare the grounds for the upcoming family camp, a tornado came through. The storm wreaked havoc on the campgrounds and caused severe damage to many buildings, including the tabernacle. I was young when this event took place, but I do remember it. However, I do not remember being afraid or worried.

When the storm hit, my mother took me into her arms and guided my siblings and me to the basement where we were safe from the storm. The events of the storm are hazy, but I do remember the protection of my mother. I remember feeling safe even though a storm was raging.

David volunteered to go to battle against the massive Philistine who had brought chaos and destruction to the Israelites. Goliath had caused fear and terror in the hearts of the Israelite army, but not in David. Even though David was the unlikely warrior, just a shepherd, he knew God was his shield and strength. He knew God would protect him in the battle.

Life brings storms and trials of all kinds. But we can ask ourselves: When facing a storm or enemy, do I focus on the opposition or on God’s protection? Who do I believe God to be right here and now?

Remember God is your shield and strong fortress.

Andrew Christman, a proud veteran of the US Army, serves as a hospital chaplain in Columbia, South Carolina. He is a graduate of Wesley Seminary and an ordained Wesleyan pastor.

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