Kerusso Daily Devotional

It’s interesting watching the outcomes of people who refuse to give in to fear. 

Many years ago, while America was going through a severe economic depression and a world war, President Roosevelt told Americans that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

Those listening over the radio said later that they felt a great sense of relief just from his words!

Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Our country emerged from a very scary time to become a people determined to embrace the future. Those who survived those dark days were known as The Greatest Generation. They were because they decided giving in to fear was not an option. It was a simple choice, honestly. They gritted their teeth and went to work.

And prayed like never before.

As individuals, we face our own depression, and our own wars. Any of us can be overwhelmed by the life-altering decisions we must make. Doing all of that living in fear can’t be sustained.

The Psalmist clearly understood that God would rescue him; the words he wrote about it were words of life.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you are great, the greatest, and your love for us is the only thing that should overwhelm us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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When Hurricane Katrina rolled through, the spinning white satellite image on TV screens actually looked evil. For residents of New Orleans waiting for that hurricane, that’s exactly what it felt like. Thousands of people were affected by the brutal storm that poured in from the Gulf. In many ways, the city still hasn’t recovered. But in the chaos, God was there. 

For more than 20 years, water pump operator Rufus Burkhalter and Bobby Brown had worked at pumping station number 6 along the 17th Street Canal. When they realized how bad it was going to be, the pair did an amazing thing. They stayed at their posts. They kept working even after the levees broke. One of the world’s largest pumping stations was still being operated by two good men who risked their lives for others. When it was all said and done, both lost their homes due to storm damage. The seawater and raging winds devastated their lives and yet they chose to help others. That kind of love for one’s fellow man is rooted in the love of Christ.

Psalm 93:4 says “Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea. The Lord on high is mighty.”

God is infinitely stronger than the storms in your life. He’s there guiding you and He is there caring for you through it all, all the time. In the horrifying days of Katrina and through the aftermath, many people displayed a reliance on the Lord who stood up to the evil that invaded their community. When we lean on God in every situation, especially during the storms in our lives, it builds our faith and places us on solid ground.

Let’s pray.

Father, Almighty One, nothing is scarier than the dark deep waters that overwhelm us sometimes. We know though that your word is our anchor established and true. We can rely on it every single time. Thank you for guiding, protecting, and loving us always, in all of your ways in Jesus’ name, amen.

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The worst of times brings out the best in some people. As we think about sacrificing for others this week, we find some extraordinary stories. One such story from 70 years ago spotlights a very brave woman.

John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

During World War 2, Romanian Princess, Catherine Caradja, defied her government’s alliance with the Nazis. When Allied bombers flew over, targeting oilfields, several planes were shot down. 

The ever-smiling Princess Catherine made sure the crews were taken to hospitals to be treated. She then made sure they escaped through Italy, and back home! In all, she saved over 1,000 men. The terrible conditions brought out the best in the Romanian princess.

Such examples show us very clearly that courage can be found when necessary. Who knows, maybe you will be called on one day to sacrifice all for someone in danger. Just know that the Lord has always known your destiny, and He knows you will stand strong that day.

Let’s pray. 

Lord, Jesus is our ultimate example of a friend that lays down His life for His friends. Thank you for His ultimate sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Debbie McDaniel is a writer, pastor’s wife, and mom. She knows something of how fear can derail a person’s entire life. You see, Debbie wrestled with fear and anxiety for years. And her recovery didn’t happen overnight, but she did come to think about it all in a different way. 

She turned to the Lord, and He showed her practical things she could do to alleviate her fear. 

Now, for one thing, she began to notice something. When she thought about her fear and she studied her own patterns related to being anxious, she realized that the majority of her fears didn’t actually happen. And this is where a journal can come in really handy. By keeping a log of your fears, and then after a certain period of time, say a month later, check back and see how many of those fears actually manifest themselves. And you’ll probably be shocked at how low the percentage really is.

Next, Debbie said that she began to read words of life, as she says, “Soaking them in over and over, praying them out loud.” And she makes the great point that there’s power in the Bible’s words because it is God’s Word. Isaiah 35:4 says, “Tell everyone who is discouraged, ‘Be strong and don’t be afraid! God is coming to your rescue, coming to punish your enemies.’” 

Debbie also advocates what she calls guarding your heart. And this involves a daily concentrating power that reminds you of truth, even in the midst of confusion.

Again, this is where reading words of life is so critical. In this way, you’re making the peace in your own heart a top priority. And it’s okay to say that to yourself—as many times a day as you need. With just these few things, overcoming fear is within your reach. 

Let’s pray. 

Father God, how powerful your promises are to us. Your words of life bring harmony. Help us to be on the lookout for friends and family who are struggling so that we can remind them of the times you’ve delivered us from fear and anxiety. Help us to make guarding our own hearts a priority. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Would it surprise you to know that God has always been interested in you? Did you know He knew you before you were born? He has a vested interest in how your life turns out.

Romans 8:31 tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

He isn’t some remote deity. God doesn’t pay attention only most of the time. He doesn’t form His plans here and there. He is there for us all the time.

The question is, where are we? 

Before you were born, it was God’s will that you would have a relationship with Him. He has always wanted your life to be successful. He wanted you to have joy hundreds of years before your parents were even born!

So, God’s will for your life isn’t confined to now, or even now, and going forward. He has always been with you, guiding you through your life. As you look back now, you can see that this is true.

Being in God’s will is all-encompassing. It is the beginning, middle, and end of our stories.

If you weren’t exactly in God’s will in the past, you can learn from that, and move forward with Him all the time.

Let’s pray.

Lord, you hold us in your protection for the entirety of our lives. We thank you that you never get tired of that. In Jesus’ name, 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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Are you angry at God today? Has something happened that has damaged your faith? If we live in the world long enough, it can happen to any of us. How you respond is really important. If you’ve listened previously, you know we are talking about how to live by faith.

Having perseverance when we’re miserable is really, really hard. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re the only one.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

Listen to the words again: “For we live by faith, not by sight.”

That’s how we are supposed to live. Not for a few hours or a day or even a season. It’s a lifelong thing. And we don’t always cling to what we can see in the short term.

Strong faith is built over time. Think back over your life to those times when God met your needs. Big needs! Those were moments He gave to you to prove His strength is not limited.

This is how we walk by faith!

Let’s pray. 

Lord, life is a marathon, not a quick sprint. Help us to walk by faith, from beginning to end. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Do you remember the last time you laughed? Do you remember the last time you laughed from sheer joy?

 Many of us don’t. The weight of life presses down on us…it weakens us.

Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Did you know that God means for you to be strong? He wants you to have dignity. You are a child of the King. You are a woman of faith. Or maybe you are a man who seeks God.

That beautiful proverb reminds us that it is God Himself who dresses us each day with the respect He has for us as His creation. Because of His favor and His blessing, you can meet today with boldness in who you are, not shaking with fear or worry. 

So, today as you head to work or as you do whatever you’re about to do, take as your own promise that the all-powerful, true God made you to live this life not with fear of the future, but with strength and dignity—because you know what’s in store for you, in the next.

Let’s pray.

Lord, we are better than what the enemy tells us we are. Thank you for clothing us in strength and in confidence each day. We get that strength only from you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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We learn early on that life sometimes throws weird things our way. Coping with them in the right way is really key. 

Willie Myrick learned this lesson really, really young. In 2014, the 9-year-old was kidnapped in his own driveway. What followed is really remarkable. 

For three hours, the two drove around Atlanta, and for the entire three hours, Willie sang the gospel song, “Every Praise.” The kidnapper told him to stop repeatedly, and then he ended up letting Willie go.  

Imagine the scene: Willie Myrick has been taken by someone he doesn’t know. Many cases like this don’t end well. Law enforcement knows if a missing child isn’t found quickly, he may not be found at all. Willie was cool under fire, and he drew on what he knew of Jesus, his Savior. He never cracked under pressure. 

How do you handle big problems? Is your first impulse to call on the Lord? 

The struggles of life are real, and there are times we feel overwhelmed and wonder how much more we can handle. And let’s face it, sometimes the thought of giving up seems easier than deciding to fight, but the truth is God created you to win. If you’ve dedicated your life to Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, and empowers you with everything you need to keep moving forward. 

1 Timothy 6:12 tells us that we are to “fight the good fight of faith.” Make up your mind today that you will stand, fight, and not give up. God's power is working in and through you.  

Let’s pray. 

Lord, every day is a reminder that we need you. We start out confident sometimes each morning, and by midday the obstacles of the day are overwhelming us. Remind us through your Holy Spirit that the strength we need comes from you alone and that your strength is sufficient for us each day. Thank you. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

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The prophet Isaiah lived during a difficult period for the ancient Israelites. Turning away from faith in God and under the control of corrupt kings, the nation entered a period of darkness. They needed hope more than anything. 

In our discussion this week, we will talk about this human condition. Today, we are really no different from people in ancient times: we all need a relationship with our Creator.

Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Don’t those words give you a feeling of peace and calm? You can say them to yourself, with no one around, and begin to feel God’s strong arms wrapping you in love. He wants you to be free from all the strongholds that keep you from your destiny.

Wouldn’t you like to spend the rest of this week at rest emotionally and mentally? You can. This is the Lord’s will for you, as we heard in this famous passage from the book of Isaiah

Let’s pray. 

Lord, your perfect love always comes through for us. Just as you didn’t abandon your people long ago, we know you will remember us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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