Kerusso Daily Devotional

Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all.

Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.”

This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man’s raw, honest heart for God, and a universal theme of love that God has for all people.

It echoes in the universe.

Think of the picture that God is painting here for us.

We are bone weary, but He has actually made a place for us to rest in a garden. We hear the flowing water. We are refreshed inside and out. And He is with us.

Do yourself a favor this spring. Memorize every line of the 23rd Psalm. Put it in your heart so that when you’re in that dark valley, you will remember that the one true God loves you absolutely and completely.

Goodness and mercy follow you. Close your eyes and sit in the cool grass. He is with you.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are the Great Shepherd who provides a sanctuary for us. Thank you, thank you for making a place of safety for us as we go through life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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One of the things that sets God apart from all others is His ability to tell us what is going to happen. We read about this in Isaiah 46, where He says, only He knows the end from the beginning.

An amazing example of this is found in Psalm 22, and it’s almost surprising how many people are not aware of it.

Psalm 22:11 says, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.”

If you read the entire chapter carefully, you begin to realize that this is a conversation that Jesus had on the cross.

This psalm was written a thousand years before that world-changing event!

It describes a man being mocked on the cross. A man who is so thirsty his mouth feels like a piece of dry pottery. He even mentions that His tormentors are casting lots for His clothes. All these things are described in the New Testament, and even some of the language Jesus used on the cross is seen here in this psalm for the first time.

God is in charge of all things, all the time. And that includes your situation. He raised Jesus from the dead, and He will provide life eternal for you if you call on Him.

He knows the end from the beginning.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you know all things. No one else does. That alone should give us confidence that you will be with us always. It’s in Jesus’ name that we pray, amen.

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From the time he was a young shepherd in the wilderness, David had deep relationship with God. He escaped enough dangerous situations to know that God was always with Him and was his deliverer.

Psalm 91:1–2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’”

This psalm is famous for its descriptive language. We can see a picture of this in our minds. And the specific things listed in this passage are very personal for each of us.

We are not to fear.

When we call on Him, He hears.

His angels watch over us.

One of the most beautiful images in the Bible is found in this psalm, as God, like a strong eagle, covers us with His wings so that we are protected.

Remember the words of Psalm 91 and call on Him day or night.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your protection for us is just one of the things that separates you from anyone or anything else. We are grateful for your wings that draw us near and cover us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Nothing is more basic to life than creation itself. The Bible tells us that God alone has the power to truly create, and the beauty of language in Psalm 139 explains this fully. Some believe the psalmist was writing in part about the creation of Adam.

Psalm 139:1–3 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.”

The writer of the Psalms marvels at the ways in which God understands each of us intimately, and is present everywhere

Are you aware that God loves you with a supernatural love? He created you to be a singular presence in the world…what we call “unique.” You might feel sometimes that you are worthless, or that no one cares. But that’s not so.

The Creator of the Universe, in that vast space, took time to make only one of you. You are precious to Him, and you should never forget it, even when things look depressing.

God sees you when you sit in that chair and when you get up. He knows what you’re thinking and what’s in your heart.

You are on His mind.

Let’s pray.

Lord, it’s comforting knowing that you are with us in each moment of our day. Help us to live in that moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs and poetic works known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship— especially in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Today, we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is.

Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.”

Traditional authorship is assigned mostly to King David, who loved to worship God with music and even dancing. His heart was open to God, and this inner life could be seen by anyone; this earthly king worshiped the King of kings.

In this introductory psalm, we read about the contrast between those who love God and those who don’t. And we are encouraged to meditate on His Word every day.

Our God is the great God, and loves each of us more than we can even imagine. And that love is a song we can carry in our hearts.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your love for us is eternal and we are so blessed to receive it, as David did, all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Office’s Michael Scott once famously said that there’s such a thing as good grief, and it’s a funny line. But could there be some truth behind it?

Christians today celebrate “Good Friday” every year, but what does it really mean?

The date marks the day 2,000 years ago that Jesus Christ willingly died on a gruesome Roman cross for our sins.

Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The truth is, Jesus died after suffering sustained torture. His followers were devastated. It looked as if His ministry would be as brief as any other holy man that had wandered onto the stage for a brief performance.

And then it happened.

Three days later, He came back from the dead! God the Father, as He had promised, raised Jesus to life. This was a clear message to any who would follow the Savior that there is blessed, eternal life after this one. In our sins, Jesus came to us because He loved us.

It’s as simple as that, really. What was originally raw grief became a very good day.

Let’s pray.

Lord, your Son’s gift to us is beyond words. We simply thank you and are grateful that He didn’t leave us where we were. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Have you ever thought much about grace? We hear the word, but the concept itself might be a little elusive. That might be because it’s hard for humans to understand and embrace.

Grace means simply that someone gives you something with no strings attached. Just for your good.

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

The Bible tells a simple story, really. Mankind sinned and brought evil into the world. God made everything, so He has the right to set the rules. And in His system, sin cannot be tolerated. So, He made a way for us to be reconciled to Him, through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Often, we try to do things to help life along. We plan, plot, and come up with programs. Our own ideas seem like the right thing to do.

But God’s way is always the right thing to do. Setting aside our own ego is key to finding peace in Christ. We literally don’t have to do anything for it.

We accept it in faith.

That is the gift of God.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, in your love for us, you make our path simple. Not always easy, but simple. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Do you ever worry you might not measure up?

Sam was a fourth grader with a big problem: he left his homework at school, and he was so worried he’d be in trouble with the teacher, he could hardly stand to go to school the next day.

In the car on the way to school, Sam’s mom explained the concept of grace, asking, “Sam, do you know about the idea of grace? Grace means even if we aren’t perfect, the people who care about us can choose to forgive us. I think your teacher will understand about your homework.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The concerns on your mind today are probably bigger than a missed homework assignment. Maybe you’re struggling in your marriage or experiencing financial distress. Maybe things aren’t going well at work, or you are battling addiction, or wrestling with sin.

When you begin to worry you are falling short, give it to the Lord. God sent Jesus as a living sacrifice for me and for you, so we could all experience His grace. Grace isn’t something we can earn; it’s a gift God gives to us, simply because He loves us. And that’s truly amazing!

Let’s pray.

Lord, we thank you for your grace, and thank you for loving us, and we thank you for who you are and all you’ve done. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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One of the extraordinary stories in the Bible involves a young woman named Rahab. This story beautifully expresses God’s love for all people.

Rahab lived in the Canaanite town of Jericho, which was near the border of the Promised Land God had promised to His people, who had been wandering for years in search of a home after slavery in Egypt.

Because the Canaanites were powerful, Joshua sent a scouting party into the land to see what they were up against. The men sent ahead were hidden from harm by Rahab, because she had heard of the power that followed the Israelites.

When she talked with the men, she showed remarkable understanding that their God was in fact the true God. She made a bargain with them.

Joshua 2:14 says, “So the men said to her, “Our life for yours if you do not tell this business of ours; and it shall come about when the Lord gives us the land that we will deal kindly and faithfully with you.”

In the end, as the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, Rahab’s family was spared death. In this way, we see how God’s inclusive love for all is worked out in practical ways that lead to life.

Remember Rahab when you think you are beyond God’s protection!

Let’s pray.

Lord, what an example of faithfulness this woman displayed. Bless all those who look for you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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As 2020 began, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey, killing 34 people. Over 1,500 buildings were damaged, and 76 had collapsed.

It was in one of these collapsed buildings that a young mother waited with her baby daughter.

A rescuer heard her cries and said, “Can you hear me? We are coming. We will save you.”

John 8:12 says, “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”

Those Turkish rescuers did indeed bring the mother and daughter out of the rubble and darkness. They survived.

Do you feel today that your life is dark? Has your world collapsed?

Cry out to Jesus. I’m serious. Cry out to him in your own way and believe that He is your Rescuer and He will save you.

He is coming.

Let’s pray. Lord, we are so thankful that you sent Your Son, Jesus, to rescue us through his sacrifice on the Cross. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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