God's Word Daily: 5-Minute Devotional

Romans 12:1 (KJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

When we compromise what we believe because standing for the truth might cost us something.

When we know the right thing to do, but choose what is comfortable instead.

That's when convenience becomes a problem.

Some days, we're tired. Not just physically tired.

We're mentally tired from thinking about everything that needs to be done. Emotionally tired from dealing with difficult situations. Sometimes we're even tired from trying to figure out things that are beyond our control.

And while a good night's sleep can help our bodies, there is another kind of rest we need. Rest for our souls.

Psalm 62:5–8 (KJV)

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.

He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. 

Our inability to see a way forward does not mean God has no way forward.

Exodus 14:13-15

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. 

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. 

And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward: 

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

God can take what looks like a setback and use it as part of something greater ahead.

Psalm 118:24 (KJV)
This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

We may not know everything this day will contain. There may be responsibilities we would rather not handle. There may be unexpected problems, difficult people, delays, disappointments, or circumstances we cannot control.

But none of those things changes this truth:

God has given us today.

And rather than beginning the day complaining about what we don't have, worrying about what might happen, or immediately focusing on everything that is wrong, we can begin with gratitude.

Thank You, God, for another day.

Isaiah 40:29–31 (KJV)

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Some days we wake up feeling ready for whatever comes.

Other days, before our feet even hit the floor, we already know we're going to need God's strength today.

We can rest assured that when we need strength, God will grant us that strength.

1 John 3:1 (KJV)
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God...

Most of us want to be appreciated.

We want our efforts to be noticed. We want the people we care about to value what we bring into their lives. And when we give our time, energy, kindness, or love and it seems to go unnoticed—or worse, is misunderstood—it can hurt.

But here is a truth that can bring tremendous freedom:

Not everyone is going to appreciate us.

And they don't have to.

Our peace, our joy, and our sense of worth do not have to depend upon receiving the approval of everyone around us.

There is a love far greater and far more dependable than human approval.

God loves us. And His love is enough.

1 Peter 5:6–7 (KJV)
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Sometimes the hardest thing for us to release is the thing we care about the most.

We pray about it. We think about it. We try to figure it out. And even after we have asked God for help, we can find ourselves picking the burden right back up and trying to determine exactly how everything is going to work out.

There comes a point when we have to recognize the difference between doing our part and trying to control the outcome.

There is freedom in surrender.

Sometimes we simply need to let go and let God.

Daniel 3:17–18 (KJV)

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

When we are confronted with life's pressures, it ca nbe challenging to remember to trust in God. Yesterday we considered Daniel's example and David's declaration: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Today, we see that same trust demonstrated by three men standing before a king and facing what appeared to be an impossible situation.

Psalm 56:3–4 (KJV)
What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.There are times when circumstances can make people, problems, or opposition appear much bigger than they really are. Fear can capture our attention until we find ourselves thinking more about what someone might do than about what God has said.

But God’s Word gives us a different perspective. Despite what circumstances may seem to say, we need not fear what man can do unto us. We can keep our eyes upon God and put our trust in Him.