Psalm 119:105, 130, 165 (NLT)

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.

Explanation:

In these three verses, the psalmist is clearly telling us why it is important to know God’s Word (the Bible). A light, no matter how bright, will not be able to show us all the twists and turns ahead on the path, but it will give enough light for the step we are on. The Bible does not unroll the whole map of life before us, but sheds light on our life, through principles explained and illustrated. It is great to have light for our path, but sometimes we need specific guidance for our feet, and the Holy Spirit is faithful to illuminate just the right passage of scripture to guide our next step.

Light reveals many things we cannot see in the dark. Light reveals disorder. Light reveals direction. Every parent who has run to a child’s cry in the night can speak of the perils of navigating in the dark, trying to reach a goal. Turning on a light makes all the difference. Having God illuminate the obstacles that are keeping us from abundant life is the specific gift of God’s written Word.

Many people feel no need to know the Word, and are content to do life with no input from God’s Word.

The Bible speaks to the teachable. The Bible isn’t the starting point for debate; it is the starting point for obedience. It is so alive and full of truth even the most simple person (a child) can understand and follow its leading. For those putting a premium on peace for their lives, the Word of God offers great peace, along with protection from falling. It is a peace the world cannot give AND the world cannot take away.

Application:

1. The Bible is filled with divine wisdom for the issues of life. It tells us how to make a marriage work, how to raise our children, how to flourish as a single person, how to face tragedy and loss, and how to live forever. What area of your life needs the most light today? Google scriptures for that topic and see what God will show you.

2. Are you touched by the simplicity of scripture and how understandable it is for all? Think of the simplicity of this verse that many first graders could read: “Jesus came to seek and save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) Eight one-syllable words summing up the heart of Jesus.

3. The Bible does not aim to make us clever; it aims to make us right. Breathe in God’s words as you read them. You are promised a remarkable difference in your ability to:

o See life correctly

o Not stumble

o Have clear direction

o Live in peace

Prayer Prompt:

Jesus, I pray James 3:17 over my life. “May the wisdom that is from above which is pure, peaceable, gentle and easy to implore, that is full of mercy and good fruits, that is without partiality and hypocrisy” flood my life. May I hunger for Your Word and embrace the power Your light gives.

Devo Plus:

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

(2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)

Proverbs 3:1-6 (ESV)

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Explanation:

This verse is from the introductory section of the book of Proverbs, where it is written from the

perspective of a father giving wise instructions to his son on the ways of life. The writer, King Solo-mon, is giving his son practical knowledge and skill on how to live in a world that honors God and others. As the reader, we can look at this passage and think of it as God’s Word speaking directly to us…God the Father talking with us, His children.

It is so important for a Christian to read and know scripture, to understand biblical truths, as well as honor God’s commandments and share their faith with others. A child of God should be able to speak God’s Word in a way that builds other people up. Scriptural truth should be the standard that Christians base all their decisions on. If something in life does not align with what is true in scripture, then we should take a step back and prayerfully seek the Lord on what to do. There should never be a hasty decision without consulting our heavenly Father first.

Proverbs also reminds us not only to practice love and faithfulness to others, but for these qualities to become a part of who we are. They should be what people see in believers of Jesus. The apostle Paul writes in Galatians 5 that love and faithfulness, along with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control, are all fruit of the Spirit of God. They are what a follower of Jesus should reflect to a broken world. Love is exactly what people need in a difficult and uncer-tain time.

A part of the Christian walk is having faith to take the next step with God. We must put our entire trust in God and His plan for us. Romans 8:28 says, “and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” God has a plan for everyone, and He will use all situations for reconciliation and redemption. The Lord knows the future, and we need to trust that He has set the perfect standard for our lives.

Application:

1. Have you ever prayed to God before you made an important decision and asked what He wants you to do?

2. Is it easy to think of God as your loving Father in heaven, who has the best for you? If not, spend some time getting to know God in a deeper relationship.

3. Do you trust the Lord with your whole heart, or is it easier to listen to what is going on in the world and how it might impact you?

4. Do you share your faith with others, or is it difficult in certain situations? If so, ask God to help you in this area.

5. We like to think we know what’s best for our lives. Why do you think we have that mind set? Since God is all-knowing, doesn’t it make since to seek His counsel first?

Prayer Prompt:

Heavenly Father, help us as broken people in a fallen world to trust in You. We are living in a difficult time right now, and I need Your supernatural peace in my life. Increase my faith in You, and Your will be done in my life. Show me where I can be a light for You to the people I interact with on a daily basis. I want to show Your love and compassion to every-one. I trust in You, Jesus. Amen.

Devo Plus:

And (Jesus) said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mathew 22:37-39, ESV)

When I was a little girl, I had an old red leather Bible with gold leaf pages that my grandmother had given me. My family didn’t go to church together as a family, and we never talked about God or our faith. But I remember that when I was feeling sad, angry, troubled, or lonely I would pick up that little red Bible and I would read. It always instantly overflowed me with peace. Honestly, I don’t think I even understood most of what I was reading, but I remember telling a friend once that it just made me feel better.

Through high school and college, I “believed” in God, but I never went to church, didn’t make great decisions, and wasn’t spending much time in my little red Bible. After being married for about a year, it became hard. Our marriage was struggling, and I was feeling lost. I remember I started reading my little red Bible again. God began to pursue me once more, and I felt Him calling me to find a church. I told my husband that we needed to find a church in order to save our marriage, and he begrudgingly went along with it. We ended up at LCC (The Tree), and our lives have forever been changed. I can’t imagine doing life without the Word of God to give me peace and to guide me.

I still have my little red Bible. I actually got it out while I was writing this devotional, and it brought back a lot of emotions. I have a picture of my grandmother in there, and I can remember laying on my bed and reading God’s Word as a young girl. When I am feeling sad, angry, frustrated, overwhelmed, or lonely, I still turn to the Word of God to give me peace. I can tell when I am in a season where I have let busyness distract me from spending time in the Word of God. I become irritable, overwhelmed, frustrated, quick to anger, and depressed.

God’s desire is for us to have peace in our lives, among the chaos. My challenge for you is when your life is feeling chaotic, turn to your Bible first, instead of Facebook, a friend to gossip to, shopping, food, alcohol, etc. I promise you that He will give you peace among your chaos.

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4, NIV)

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. (Psalm 18:30, NIV)

Psalm 1 (ESV)

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore, the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; for the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Explanation:

Spring is a great time to reference Psalm 1. As we observe spring coming and new life now flowing through everything, it gives us the ideal imagery we need to decipher what the psalmist is saying to us.

I want to jump right in the middle of this psalm, because there is one phrase that summarizes the life of one who delights in the law of the Lord (or the words of God). In verse 3b, we read, “In all that he does, he prospers.” This hits the nail on the head when it comes to explaining the aim of all of our lives. Each of us may have a different view of what it looks like to prosper, but all of us have made it our focus every day to prosper. Even the simplest of ways like eating food, sleeping, and taking care of ourselves are methods we use to pursue making each day prosperous. We know without these, our success for the day would be impeded.

What else, though, do we include in our daily habits as essential to finding our prosperity? More importantly, what is true prosperity? If we look to today’s reading, we see those questions answered for us. The writer tells us that delighting in the ways and words of God is the top priority when it comes to seeking prosperity for our lives. He isn’t just saying God’s Word is good; he is saying it is good enough to follow and live by in every area of our lives. The Word of God is the perfect source for the direction we need, guiding us toward the best forms of prosperity and keeping us from pursing any ways that will leave us fruitless.

Are you currently a fruitful tree that is being fed and sustained through the Word of God daily? Or do you find yourself dry and lacking the necessary sustenance to thrive? Delight in the ways and words of God, my friends. Look to the spring growth as a reminder of today’s truths.

Application:

1. How would you currently define what prosperity looks like for your life?

2. How did today’s reading give you a new perspective of where to look to find prosperity?

3. How have the ways and words of God led you to life before?

4. How would you like to start today to “delight” in the ways and words of God?

Prayer Prompt:

Jesus, thank You for providing me with Your words. I would be lost and fruitless in this life without them. Help me to see through Your Word what true prosperity looks like for my life. Show me today a truth from Your Word that I can start to live out.

Devo Plus:

Find one verse that applies to the current season you are in. Spend this next week trying to memorize it, meditate on it, and apply it to your life.

Proverbs 6:20-23 (ESV)

My son, keep your father's commandment,

and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Bind them on your heart always;

tie them around your neck.

When you walk, they will lead you;

when you lie down, they will watch over you;

and when you awake, they will talk with you.

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,

and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Explanation:

As a parent, I love doing the memory verse with my daughter. I love doing nightly devotionals with her and teaching her everything I possibly can about God and His Word, because I know it will stick with her the rest of her life. I know this because I have seen it play out in my own life. When life gets hard, I can recall verses I have memorized, and they bring me peace and hope during the difficult seasons. I’m reminded of scripture verses on how to walk and live for Christ. God’s Word gives me guidance, wisdom and reminders exactly when I need it.

But this will only happen if we are purposed to read, study, and memorize the incredible words God has given to us. A scripture reference may not mean much to you now, but at some point, it will, and what an incredible gift it is to be able to pull that out of memory in a moment of need. The more we study the Word of God, the easier it will be to recall what it says in our time of need, or in a time when we need His leading in our lives. Bind His Word on your heart, know it, study it…and be amazed at the impact it has in all different seasons of your life.

Application:

1. What does it mean to “bind” the Word of God on your heart?

2. Can you recall a time in your life when you remembered a scripture verse you had memorized and studied, and it came at a time you needed those words? What was that like for your faith?

3. What do you need to do in order to bind the Word of God on your heart?

Prayer Prompt:

God, I am so thankful You have not only given us Your Word, but that it is active in our lives. Thank You for the moments when we have recalled Your Word in times of need. Thank You for the guidance and direction that Your Word gives to us. Help us to continue to study Your Word and to know it. May Your Word be what leads and guides us at all times and in all things. In Your name we pray, amen.

Devo Plus:

I encourage you to begin to memorize scripture. Pick out a verse this week that you are going to work on memorizing. This is one way to bind the Word of God on your heart.

2 Kings 22:11-13 and 23:1-3 (ESV)

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him.2 And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. 3 And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.

Explanation:

When Israel asked for a king, what the nation didn’t know, though it had been warned, was almost every king would lead Israel farther and farther away from God. Saul, Israel’s first king, turned out to be a failure. David, the king God used to usher Israel onto the world stage as a nation, was considered a great king who sought after God. For the most part, David kept Israel focused on their covenant with God. All other kings would be measured by David and this question: Did they keep the nation faithful to the covenant with God? Solomon, David’s son, married foreign wives and invited idol worship into Israel. And every king from then on would drive the nation toward (or at least tolerate) idol worship in the nation. That is, until Josiah.

Josiah took the throne of Israel as a young boy (most likely 8 years old). He longed to honor God and bring Israel back into right standing with Him. Josiah recognized that all of Israel’s woes were because they had forsaken God. And when the book of the Covenant (most likely the book of Deuteronomy) was found stored away in the temple, Josiah took the words to heart. He repented for his and the nation’s lack of faithfulness, and led the people back toward the covenant with God.

Application:

1. What is one thing that stands out as you read this passage?

2. Josiah had an “oh no!” moment when he realized the things that he and the nation were doing stood in direct contrast to faithfulness to God. How did Josiah respond in that moment?

3. Have you ever had an “oh no!” moment, when God revealed that you were walking down an alternative path, not one that God wanted for you? Did you respond like Josiah?

4. What is one thing God has revealed to you today that you need take stock in and respond to?

Prayer Prompt:

Father, would You please help us to respond in faithful obedience as we hear You speak? Give us a heart that desires to walk in a relationship with You. Give us a heart that desires to respond when You teach us something, and give us the strength and courage to see it through in our lives. Speak to us today through Your Word, and let Your Holy Spirit guide our thoughts as we look to walk in Your ways. Amen.

Devo Plus:

Read 2 Chronicles 34-35 for another perspective of Josiah’s story.

Psalm 34:17-18 (ESV)

When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears

and delivers them out of all their troubles.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted

and saves the crushed in spirit.

Explanation:

I absolutely love the promises we are given in these verses. The truth is, at some point in our lives, if we haven’t already, we will experience trouble and heartbreak. More than likely, you have received devastating news. Maybe it was news that your spouse had betrayed you, a loved one had died, or you or a family member received a negative health report. We are all going to experience pain, troubles, and heartbreak.

But God promises to be there with us through it all. When we are in trouble, He is there to rescue us. When we are experiencing devastating heartbreak, He promises to be close to us. He is our comforter, our guide, and our peace in the middle of the devastation and destruction. Life may throw us hard things, but we can stand in confidence that we are not alone. God is with us and will help us through. We don’t have to walk through the storms alone, because we have a loving God who will walk by our side the whole time.

Application:

1. What heartbreak or difficult seasons have you walked through in your life (or maybe you are walking through one right now)?

2. How has God helped you in the past when you have walked through difficult seasons?

3. How do these verses give you hope in the middle of the storm?

Prayer Prompt:

God, we know in this life we are going to face difficulties. We will walk through storms, through devastation and heartbreak. Remind us in those times that You are not a distant God, but a God who is with us. May we hold tight to Your promises…You will be with us; You will walk through the difficult circumstance with us, right by our side; You will deliver us and save us. God, we trust You. We believe in Your promises, that You will do what You say. Be our peace and comfort today as we walk through this season. We love You, and are so thankful for a God who is present with us in the middle of the storm. Amen.

Devo Plus:

Read the entire chapter of Psalm 34 for more encouragement and promises of God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

Explanation:

Paul is describing the comfort God gives as paternal, personal, and perfect. The scope of that comfort is all-encompassing, the strength of it is unbreakable and overflows. We all will experience certain times in our lives when we are delirious with emotional, physical, or circumstantial pain. It just is the brokenness of our world. We will find ourselves in situations that can’t be dulled, ignored, or denied. We will feel as though we are coming off the rails and nothing on this earth will soothe.

BUT…blessed be the God of all comfort.

Our God is a Father. He is a living and loving God. A Father knows how we feel and does not remain unmoved by our weaknesses, shortsightedness, and cries. It is so very warm and personal when we turn to our Father in seasons of despair. As the God of all comfort, He absolutely has a monopoly on drawing us in and consoling us. Then, in true round robin discipleship, He uses us to comfort others with the same love we received from Him. I once played house with my granddaughter Claire. She was the mommy and I was the daughter. When she got ready to leave for work, she put a warm blanket over me, sat by me, patted me, and told me to relax and take a good nap and everything was going to be ok. I remember thinking Claire knew how to comfort because she HAD been comforted by her mother. It’s the same with you and God.

Application:

1. Feeling obscure and insignificant intensifies hard times. There is a beautiful story in Genesis 16 about a lowly slave girl thrown out of her camp into the wilderness by no fault of her own. Loneliness and injustice are very hard to bear, but God reveals that He is with her, and she describes Him as “the God who sees me.” Being seen and valued is so important. Do you know God sees you today, and is so personal that He will reveal Himself to you, when you cry out to Him? God comforts by being personal.

2. Having our sins catch up with us and begin to unravel our lives with repercussions is another dark season for many. This happened to Jacob (Genesis 28). He learned that God cared and God was right there at the intersection of his running and surrendering. God will do the same for you. Many times, comfort follows confession. He waits ready to trade your control for His comfort. God comforts by freeing us. Do you need freeing?

3. The world loves pithy phrases like “Everything is going to be all right!” Jesus said to His scared disciples, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid (Matthew 14).” The difference is Jesus. He was emphasizing “I am here for you!” God comforts by being real. Listen for your God.

4. When circumstances beyond our control make life scary, He is there. First Kings 19 records a story of Elijah, who was a man who faithfully obeyed God. Elijah is being persecuted by the king, and he runs for his life. He ends up alone after specifically obeying God’s instructions. Elijah then travels to a mountain, wanting to hear from God. Still alone and afraid, a wind so strong it tore rocks apart happened. Then there was an earthquake. Still no message from God. Then a huge fire swept the mountain. Still nothing. THEN…then a gentle whisper. Elijah recognizes the voice of God, and he pulls his cloak up over his face and goes out to stand at the opening of the cave where he had been hiding. There in the gentle whisper, he encounters his God. God intimately converses with Elijah in a tender way, and gives him new instructions that ultimately lead to him having Elisha as a partner in ministry. God comforts with new vision, hope, and direction. Will you specifically listen for His voice today?

Prayer Prompt:

Holy Spirit, You were sent to be my comforter. You are specifically on the earth today to bring me comfort. Will you? I am fighting fear. As world news continues to wash over me with alarm, will You change me? I have so much uncertainty today. Increase my knowledge of Your certainty.

Holy Spirit, descend over my anxiety and fill me with peace. Trade me foreboding for hope, distress for joy, timidity for faithfulness, alarm for goodness, consternation for gentleness, agitation for kindness, dread for self-control, and panic for patience. Deliver me from default reactions, and fill me so full of Your Spirit that Your fruit grows in me daily. Invigorate me with your power! I ask for this in Jesus’s powerful name. Amen.

Devo Plus:

Psalm 46:1-3 (NLT)

God is our refuge and strength,

always ready to help in times of trouble.

So we will not fear when earthquakes come

and the mountains crumble into the sea.

Let the oceans roar and foam.

Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

God is our refuge and strength!

Matthew 10:29-31 (ESV)

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Explanation:

Isolation. Darkness. Heaviness. Anxiety. Fear. Loneliness. Sorrow. Confusion. Doubt. These are just a few of the feelings I’ve encountered recently. I know better. I know God is in control. I know personally that God has brought me through many dark and ugly times in my life. What’s the solution? How do I overcome these feelings?

For me, it is with today’s scriptures. When I was a young child, my granny used to sing “His Eye is On the Sparrow,” written by Civilla Martin and composed by Charles Gabriel in 1904. More than 100 years ago, Mrs. Martin was visiting a discouraged, bedridden friend. Even in her low and depressed state, the friend told Mrs. Martin that she knew God was watching over every little sparrow, and would surely see her and her condition.

In biblical times, the sparrow was one of the smallest creatures of God’s creation, and a penny was the least valuable of all Roman coins. If God reigns over seemingly insignificant things like sparrows and pennies, and knows the number of hairs on our heads, then surely, He cares for our needs. Our needs are known by Him, and He hears our prayers.

Application:

1. We know God hears our prayers and knows our needs, according to what is written in the Bible. How have you seen Him meet your needs during this time or in other difficult times?

2. If God knows the number of hairs on your head, can you fathom how much He knows what you’re going through right now? Take comfort in the fact that His eye is on you, and His love for you is greater than your mind can comprehend.

3. Take a moment to look for the good in even the worst situation. I was struggling this week with not being able to “people.” I love to serve others. I’m extremely extroverted and have a deep desire to “fix” things when they are broken. I’ve really missed being able to attend our church physically and see everyone. In my quiet time, God showed me something amazing this week: His movement in the “virtual” church. I read a post earlier this week, that over 11,000 people viewed Pastor Matthew’s Easter message. Through the wonders of technology, we reached people all over the nation who never would have been able to attend our physical church on Easter. God moved in dozens of homes. What if all this darkness we see in the physical is a HUGE move in the spiritual? Look for the good, even in the darkest of times.

Prayer Prompt:

God, today I’m asking You to remind us of Your care for the sparrows, and our value to You. You see our personal struggles and know we are hurting and broken. Help us to remember You are working all things for Your good, and there IS a plan in every situation. Restore our hearts, and help us focus on the work You are doing, even when we can’t see it.

Devo Plus:

Take a moment and reflect on the lyrics of “His Eye is on the Sparrow.” Google a version of the song and reflect on its words. (One of my favorites is the version by the group Selah, but there are many different artists who have recorded it.)

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Refrain:

I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;

Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,

When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

With every week that passes right now, life feels more and more bizarre to me. Our world is experiencing a pandemic. Our leaders are making unprecedented decisions in hopes of saving many lives. New labels of “hero” and “essential” are being passed around referring to certain lines of work, while others are being asked to “stay home.” We are to practice social distancing, unable to meet in large groups, therefore no church services and no school. All of this is new to each of us and has brought many changes to our daily routines, no matter which label we find ourselves under.

What I’m seeing, hearing, and reading is that many are struggling with the label of “essential.” Those who are considered essential employees are working more hours and their job duties are more exhausting. They have fear of being exposed or exposing their families to this virus, so don’t want to be “essential.” Then we have those who are non-essential employees or businesses. They have been told their job or career needs to be put on hold in an effort to save lives and prevent the spread of the virus. They feel unsure, unwanted, unimportant…and want to be recognized for what they are sacrificing to save many. I pray over each group every day, and my heart breaks for each group! I want everyone to know they are essential, that God reveals Himself to them and has a plan for them (Romans 8:28). The role they have in this moment is essential to building His kingdom. I pray we all are turning our heads toward God for strength, no matter the labels we are facing right now. May our hope be found in Jesus, not in the statistics or the dates given. His timing is always perfect, His love for us is steadfast, and He has already won this battle.

Spend time today to celebrate where God has you. It may be a tough situation, and you are struggling to feel essential, exhausted from expectations or hopelessness. But in praise and worship, God will remind you that He knows you, loves you, and will never leave you. You are a child of God! Through your obedience, you will find restoration. God has a plan for you in the midst of all this.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:29-31, ESV)