Today Daily Devotional

God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all [his] work. . . .

— Genesis 2:3

Nick is a small-business ­owner. He runs a restaurant. He opened it a few years ago, and he is still spending countless hours improving its operations and managing the staff. “There’s only one problem,” Nick admits. “When Sunday comes, I have no time or ­energy for the church.”

We all live in a world that pushes us to run faster and work harder. How does your calendar look? Do you have time for God and for your spiritual welfare? Do you have time for your loved ones and for the ministry of your local community of faith?

In the Bible we discover the God-ordained rhythm of life. God the Creator labors for six days and rests on the seventh. We all need regular time off to rest and be spiritually recharged in God’s presence.

The concept of biblical shalom, or peace, is all-encompassing. It includes inner wholeness and tranquility. Such harmony is unattainable if we routinely ignore our spiritual and physical rest.

Sabbath can be described as God’s “reset button” for us. Resting is central to wholeness because God uses his holy day to restore our shalom. Let us not forget about our spiritual and physical rest as we search for meaning and inner peace!

Father, thank you for teaching us about the healthy patterns of work and spiritual rest. Help us to stop running so that we can take time for you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts . . . and lead me in the way everlasting.

— Psalm 139:23-24

Mikhail is a refugee. He lives in a strange land and struggles to learn a new language. He misses his old friends and tries to fit in. In an email Mikhail shared his prayers with us: “I pray that I don’t have to feel lonely anymore. I pray that I can make contributions to the world. I pray to be free from this anxiety and depression. I’m exhausted.”

Most of us are not refugees. We don’t know what it’s like to be uprooted by military conflict or persecution. We don’t have to run for our lives. But many of us still know what anguish, anxiety, and loneliness are all about.

In Psalm 139 we read about the God who searches for us and knows us. God’s love goes far beyond geographic distances, political borders, and human circumstances. God knows our needs perfectly and cares about us. He sends his Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us in our search for peace, even if we have to cross difficult and unfamiliar terrain.

When we feel hurt, when our situation looks bleak, when we are haunted by dark, anxious thoughts, let us remember that we are not alone. Our loving and caring God is always near. He is able to help.

Turn to him, seek his face, read his Word, and he will lead you in the way everlasting.

Our searching and knowing God, please guide us as we seek to walk with you. Help us to be your faithful followers in good times and bad. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

— 1 John 1:9

Dmitry, a media listener from Belarus, wrote to tell us, “It’s been very difficult for me to find inner peace. I have tried to be a good man, and I have read a lot of wisdom literature, but that hasn’t helped me. I’m still searching.”

God originally designed us to live in close relationship with him, to rule over his creation, and to enjoy his all-embracing peace. However, Adam and Eve disobeyed their Creator when they ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

It can be said that the human race lost its peace at that moment, known as the fall into sin. This brought about our separation from God and from ourselves, others, and God’s creation. It also left us with a sense of anguish, fear, and loneliness. And to this day we are all affected by that original sin.

It’s good to be kind to people around us. It’s good to read books of wisdom. But, as the Bible tells us, we can find peace only if we confess our sins before the Lord. It would be a lie to claim that we are without sin. To regain our peace with God, we have to trust wholeheartedly in the saving power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Only Jesus can repair our relationship with God. Only he can grant peace and comfort to our wounded souls.

Father, we confess our sins before you. Forgive us, restore us, and make us whole. Give us your precious peace, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

— Philippians 4:7

If you follow the daily news, you know that bad news grabs most of the headlines. We hear about wars, disasters, crime, terrorism, economic troubles, and more. Our personal situation may also include bad news—family problems, health issues, more and higher bills to pay, and so on.

What can we do in the midst of so much struggle? The potential negative outcomes can make us anxious, even to the point of becoming physically ill. It’s no wonder anxiety is one of the most common issues of our time.

In Philippians, however, we find the promise of God’s peace, “which transcends all understanding.”

The Hebrew word for peace, shalom, has a very rich and profound meaning. True biblical shalom conveys an inner sense of completeness, wholeness, and tranquility. It can describe not only an absence of war or conflict but also inward harmony with God, oneself, and one’s community. Shalom points to the flourishing of full life as God intends for us.

For Paul, inner peace doesn’t come through relaxation techniques, denial, or the power of positive thinking. He fully trusts the Lord to protect him and grant him peace.

Trust in the Lord to save you and fill you with life, and you don’t have to be anxious. You can thank God and share with him all of your troubles and ­anxieties. He hears and gives peace.

Lord God, thank you for the good news of Jesus. Fill us with your amazing peace and deliver us from anxiety, we pray. Amen.

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

— Psalm 4:8

I remember that as a child I was often afraid of the sounds of aircraft flying at night. I was born and raised in Moscow, USSR, at the height of the Cold War. At that time, the sounds of jets flying high in the sky could mean that an enemy attack was near.

Those were common fears back then. Many years later an American friend shared with me that he had a similar experience while growing up.

Sadly, in today’s world fears of war are coming back to many of us. And, far worse, those fears have become very real and tragic experiences for people in war zones.

War is terrible, and peace is precious. This month I’d like to invite you to reflect on peace. What does the Bible say about peace? Why do we need it so much? How can we find peace and keep it?

In Psalm 4 we find a distressed psalmist calling out to the Lord at night. In this very personal prayer, as the writer seeks relief and mercy from God, he discovers that trusting God is the key to finding peace and happiness. Trust in God allows the psalmist to lie down and sleep, and to face the next day with hope and assurance.

That’s the comfort we need. All kinds of fears can assault our minds and hearts. But if we trust in the Lord, we can dwell in safety, regardless of external circumstances.

Lord, in this world of danger we trust you alone for our salvation and safety. Give us your peace so that we may face tomorrow boldly, protected by your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.

— Proverbs 15:33

Let’s close our reflections for this month by focusing again on wisdom. Here—about halfway through Proverbs—is a verse that summarizes much of what the book aims to teach.

“Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the Lord.” At the end of the day, who or what consumes most of your thinking? Who or what are you in awe of? What would you say is the most important thing in your life?

We do well to check in with ourselves regularly and ask these questions. Because if something takes priority over the Lord in our lives, then we will find that everything else tumbles into disarray.

Wisdom says that when the Lord is our greatest priority, everything else falls into ­proper alignment. When the Lord is our focus, we take on a posture of humility and worship rather than seeking to gain honor for ourselves. If reputation, ­financial success, being liked by everyone, or getting what we want is our greatest priority, then we will lack humility and won’t be able to mirror Jesus. We might speak about him, but we won’t live like him.

So here is the crucial question: What is your greatest priority? Or what do you want your greatest priority to be?

Wise and awesome God, you are so patient with us, even though we often fail to put you first. By your Spirit, grant us deeper wisdom so that we can serve you more faithfully. Amen.

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

— Proverbs 15:1

Think about a time when someone made you angry. May­be they cut you off in traffic. Perhaps they made a rude comment on social media. Or maybe someone made you feel stupid, and you were embarrassed in front of your peers. In any of these situations, it’s easy to fire back a defensive response.

But if we act out in anger, we will only make the situation worse. Our sinful nature wants to get back at the person who has offended us, but that is not the peaceful approach Scripture calls us to.

Our proverb for today points us to the way of Jesus, who told his disciples, “Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). This is one of the few times Jesus actually listed attributes of himself. He is gentle and humble in heart.

As Jesus also showed, there is a place for anger in situations where God is being mocked or injustice is being allowed (see Mark 11:15-17), but those moments are few and far between. And as Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:26, “In your ­anger do not sin” (see also Psalm 4:4). That’s the way Jesus operates.

The next time someone makes you angry, how might you respond with a gentle spirit?

Lord, grant me humility and a gentle spirit so that I can show your love and wisdom to the people around me. Purge anger from me so that I can be like you. Amen.

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning, and even among fools she lets herself be known.

— Proverbs 14:33

In this proverb Wisdom is characterized as someone who “reposes” or comes to rest in the hearts of people who are discerning.

Don’t we all desire that Wis­dom would come and rest in our hearts—that truth, grace, and goodness would take up residence within us and bring us peace?

The beautiful reality of faith in Jesus Christ is that this has ­actually happened. Wisdom has come to live and reign in our hearts through God’s Holy Spirit.

Paul asked the Corinthians, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you?” (1 Corinthians 6:19, NRSV). The Holy Spirit lives within us, and it’s the Spirit who reveals all truth and wisdom to us, because his primary task is to help us live like Jesus. What a privilege!

But let’s not become conceited about that. Proverbs 14:33 also notes that Wisdom lets herself be known “even among fools.” In other words, Wisdom wants to be known by everyone.

Jesus’ desire too is that every heart should know him, that all people should know his saving grace and his compassion.

How might you allow the Spirit of Wisdom to shine through you today? How might you ­allow others to see Jesus through you?

Compassionate God, teach me to have a heart of wisdom—one that yearns to know you more and longs for others to know you as well. May your Spirit come and rest within me. Amen.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

— Proverbs 14:30

It’s interesting that peace is contrasted with envy in this proverb. We usually think of peace as the opposite of war, strife, disunity, or conflict. Why would the writer contrast peace with envy?

Envy means being deeply resentful toward someone because they have something that you dearly want. Maybe it’s wealth, a fine car, good looks, popularity, power, or some other advantage or privilege that you don’t have. Envy drives people to obsess over their great longing, sometimes even to the point of harming the person who has what they want, or destroying what the person has so that they can’t have it.

A person who is consumed with envy has no peace in their heart. Their inner turmoil can affect their health and well-being so much that, as the ­proverb says, it “rots the bones.”

As James 3:16-17 puts it, “Where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is . . . peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit. . . .”

Full life is found in Jesus alone, who gives us “a heart at peace”—a heart that is content, at rest, and satisfied with whatever good things God has ­given us to steward and care for.

Loving God, grant me a heart of peace that keeps me from longing for what I don’t have. Help me to serve you with the generous gifts you have given me. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief.

— Proverbs 14:13

In my personal Bible at home, I often mark up verses that I want to be able to find later. I highlight and underline, make notations in the margins, and write cross-references to other passages.

Next to Proverbs 14:13 I have drawn a little star to note that this passage is special.

“Even in laughter the heart may ache.” Have you ever had the experience of putting on a smile for others, and yet inside you had a deep well of emotions and grief? At social events you might even genuinely have a good time, but later, when you’re alone again, the grief and tears can all come flooding back.

This proverb reminds me that we never know what someone might be going through, no matter how cheerful they may seem. Humans are very good at masking their emotions. But we can learn from the example set by Jesus.

He wept on his way to the tomb of a dear friend (John 11:35). He was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow as he prepared to die for us (Matthew 26:38).

Jesus’ acquaintance with grief gave him insight and empathy for others who were grieving.

God is able to use us too in our times of brokenness to show others the love and care of Jesus.

God of all comfort, only you know the deep aches we have in our hearts. Help us to be attuned to the griefs and hurts of others and to show your love and care, as Jesus would. Amen.