Today Daily Devotional

He was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

— Hebrews 11:9-10

A pilgrim is someone who travels to a place where they long to be. Following a kind of calling, they might journey to a sacred place where they can worship. Or they might move around, ever seeking a place to call home. Followers of Jesus are pilgrims who are called to live for God as they travel through life on their way to their eternal home.

The Bible tells about a pilgrim named Abraham, who followed God’s call to go and live in a land that God would show him. God led Abraham to the land of Canaan, where he pitched his tent and worshiped the Lord (Genesis 12:1-8). Yet Abraham lived as a stranger and foreigner in that land. His security was not in a plot of land but in the plan of God. He envisioned an eternal city, to which he spent a lifetime traveling. Abraham lived as a pilgrim rather than as a permanent settler. Walking by faith rather than by sight, he modeled what it means to follow the Lord.

A pilgrim is different from a settler. Pilgrims never feel totally comfortable with the values and lifestyles of their surrounding cultures. They are careful not to drive their stakes too deeply into the ground. They live with a holy detachment, careful not to hold on to places or things so tightly that they can’t go on without them. Pilgrims also regularly long for home. In other words, they live with eternal aspirations, not simply earthly ones.

Lord, help us to live in a such a way that we long for heaven but also aim to represent you here each day. Amen.

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

— Ephesians 2:10

Imagine a skilled artist, carefully crafting a masterpiece. Each detail is carefully chosen to inspire appreciation, imagination, and more. In our Scripture passage today we are reminded that we are God’s handiwork. He brings together the pieces of our lives to create a masterpiece for his glory.

The original Greek text for “handiwork” in this passage was closely associated with “poetry.” In other words, we are considered as poetic works of art. We are molded and fashioned by the Lord of all into priceless treasures.

But our purpose is not simply to be put on display and admired by passersby. Instead, we are molded and shaped “to do good works.” God has purposes and plans for us to fulfill, assignments to complete.

What’s more, God is still working on us. We are a good work in progress. We are called and led to keep learning, growing, trying, and trusting as we live by faith for the God who loves us and makes us part of his family. Whether we are bailing hay, studying for a test, teaching a child, washing dishes, creating a website, or doing any of a million other things—we are to work wholeheartedly for the Lord. By the work of our hands we are called to point others to the divine Master of all masterpieces.

Lord, like a canvas or a block of clay, wood, metal, or stone waiting for the artist’s touch, may we be open to your leading and guiding hand. May we bring you glory in all we do and say today. Amen.

“Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

— Matthew 12:50

Maybe you have had the opportunity to attend a family reunion or an extended family gathering recently. Family members can connect with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and others that they may not have seen in a while. Gatherings like these can be meaningful, uniting everyone under a common heritage, a family tree.

As a believer in Christ, I am a child of God—and so is every other believer. This means all of us are spiritual brothers and sisters—no matter where we are throughout the world! And although we may be different from one another in some ways, we have a common heritage—we are rooted together in Christ. We have the same heavenly Father and the same ultimate goal: to do the Father’s will. As part of God’s forever family, we share in the same eternal inheritance that Jesus has secured for us through his death and resurrection.

Sometimes people say that biological family bonds are stronger than other relationships. But in today’s passage Jesus declares that all who follow the Lord are part of his family, and this relationship lasts forever.

In a world of many divisions, it’s good to be reminded of our family connection in Jesus. It’s also good to learn that we are called to serve God together, for we will be living in eternity with these family members from all nations and places!

Father, give us the eyes to see all who follow you as precious family members, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. . . .

— John 1:12

Because of Jesus and his finished work, all who believe in him are given “the right to become children of God.” In other words, we can become God’s permanent sons and daughters. Each of us can be a child of the King, with a loving Father and a family to belong to.

The bedrock of my identity is that I have a tender, compassionate, loving heavenly Father whose eyes are always on me. As one of his children, I am engraved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16).

I hope this is true for you as well. Each one of us can be a dearly loved child of God. He describes his beloved children as “the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8).

If you are God’s child, you know that the light of his face shines on you, brightening your heart and mind, filling you with the warmth of his love and grace, and giving you peace (Numbers 6:24-26).

In the Lord’s faithful care, we know we are loved, “for the Lord takes delight in his people” (Psalm 149:4). “The Lord delights in those who . . . put their hope in his unfailing love” (Psalm 147:11).

The apostle John adds, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). God loves each of us lavishly and generously as a precious son or daughter. Amazing!

Lord, thank you that in Jesus we can become your children. Help us each day to remember who we are and whose we are. Amen.

“You are precious and honored in my sight, and . . . I love you. . . .”

— Isaiah 43:4

God created you in order to love you and to share a loving relationship with you. That is why you exist—to be cherished by your Creator and to reciprocate that love to him and radiate that love to others. For each one of us, this is the greatest foundational truth we can learn about our existence, and it helps immensely to shape our identity and sense of purpose.

Like many of us, though, you may not always feel loved. Moments of feeling misunderstood, ignored, judged, or even rejected may overshadow your sense of worth. But the Bible reassures us of God’s deep and passionate love for each one of us. This love is unconditional—no strings attached. You are God’s beloved child—precious, esteemed, and honored in his sight. Go ahead and remind yourself of this truth as often as necessary.

God’s love isn’t based on our actions or achievements. It transcends our successes, failures, possessions, status, and everything else about us. There’s nothing we can do to earn more of God’s love or to diminish it. God’s love is consistent, steadfast, and true.

Understanding that we are cherished, valued, and treasured by the Creator of the universe shifts our entire perspective. As we embrace this truth, fears and anxieties diminish. We can live with a new sense of peace and contentment, knowing we are beloved by him.

Lord God, thank you for cherishing us. Reassure us of your everlasting love for us each day. In Jesus, Amen.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. . . .

— Romans 1:1

“What do you want to be when you grow up?” Maybe you heard this question as a child or a teenager. Our responses usually focus on some kind of career path or occupation. And as we grow older, we realize that we need some kind of work or career to help us with the costs of living.

Yet consider the nuance of the question. It doesn’t ask, “What do you want to do?” It asks, “What do you want to be?” Being has to do with our essence, our character, our identity. And in God’s economy, being goes ahead of doing. We are so that we can do.

The apostle Paul opens his letter to the Romans with a defining statement: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. . . .” On the face of it, this statement addresses the question “Who am I?” Yet, looking deeper, we can see that it’s more about “Whose am I?” Paul’s identity is inseparable from his relationship with Jesus.

Paul identifies himself as a servant—or, more precisely, a bondservant—of Christ Jesus. In essence, Paul belongs to Jesus, his Redeemer, who called and commissioned him. He no longer lives to please and serve himself but to please and serve the One who has rescued him. This radical Christ-centeredness is the character that every believer takes on. Like Paul’s, our identity becomes inseparable from our transformative relationship with Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus, guide us to be anchored in your love and to discover our true identity in you. Amen.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation. . . .

— James 1:9

Many people today are engaged in a battle for the right to define themselves. It’s as if they are saying, “I will invent or reinvent myself, and you must accept me for who I choose to be.” But this places immense pressure on people. It also brings on volatility and exhaustion as people try to navigate life together.

God recognizes our need for a stable, reliable identity—one that can sustain us amid the ups and downs of life. He also knows we cannot invent the identity we need. So God made a new life possible for us through Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly gave up his glory, power, and privilege. He came to sacrifice himself on the cross to atone for our sins against God and each other. Through faith in him, we receive his love and righteousness. Our identity is anchored in him rather than in our achievements or others’ opinions of us.

James urges believers who have prospered and become wealthy to recognize their humble position as sinners saved by grace. And he encourages believers who are struggling financially to embrace their exalted position in Christ—loved, accepted, and cherished by God. By doing these things, we can avoid looking down on others and/or trying to outdo others to make up for our feelings of insecurity.

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving up so much, so that we can gain more than we deserve. May we find our identity in you, Lord. Amen.

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here!

— 2 Corinthians 5:17

Maybe you have heard some of the profound “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the bread of life”; “I am the light of the world”; “I am the good shepherd” (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11, 14). Jesus lived an effective, purposeful life because he knew his identity. With unwavering clarity, he knew he was the Son of God sent to redeem the world.

As we explore the meaning of our identity this month, we’ll find a number of ways to describe ourselves in light of the ways God has created us. We can think of it as a treasure hunt through the Scriptures to uncover our new identity in Christ Jesus.

So often we cling to false notions about identity. We focus on things like athletic prowess, academic achievements, or career success. Or we highlight how funny, famous, or fit we are. Or even how good a parent we are. But what happens when the applause fades? Do we maintain a firm grasp of who we are?

The apostle Paul explains that when a person comes to faith in Jesus, they undergo a profound transformation. In some ways like a caterpillar emerging as a butterfly, believers transform to become a new creation in Christ. This fundamentally alters the way we think and act. Our identity is no longer defined by fleeting ideas but, rather, by our relationship with Christ.

Lord, thank you for making and remaking us in the image of Jesus. Help us to understand who you have made us to be. Give us the courage to live out our identity in Christ. Amen.

God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them. . . .

— Genesis 1:27

Throughout history, human beings have grappled with three fundamental questions: Who am I? Where do I fit in? What am I supposed to do? These questions have gnawed at us since ancient times. They have shaped our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. At the core of these lies the question of identity as we try to figure out who we really are.

Our world today often tells us we have the power to mold our identity and shape our destiny as we see fit. It claims that we are in control and we can decide who we want to be. But that notion is flawed. We haven’t created ourselves, so we do not have the authority to make those claims. According to God, our identity is intricately linked to him as our Creator. We are created in his image, made to reflect his character and values in all we do.

This month, let’s explore the idea of personal identity. Identity is the thing that most clearly defines us. It is tied to our worth, value, and significance. Without a clear sense of identity, we drift aimlessly through life. We become restless, rootless, and fruitless.

When we know who we are, however, we have a firm foundation. We gain the stability we need in order to navigate changes and challenges in life and to become who we are created to be.

Lord, thank you for not leaving us on our own. Thank you for revealing that our true identity is found in you. Help us to reflect your image in our living each day. Amen.

These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

— John 20:31

This brief note at the end of John’s gospel account sums up the purpose of Jesus’ coming. Through all of the other characters we have met and learned about in the story of Jesus, and through all of the things that took place in connection with Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, the main point has always been that Jesus is the Messiah.

Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah (the Christ, meaning “Anointed One”), sent by God the Father to live among us for the purpose of delivering us from the curse of sin. On our own we would have no chance of paying the price for our sin or trying to make right everything that we have done wrong in this world. We could never earn our own forgiveness. Jesus was sent to take the punishment that we deserve onto himself and to reconcile us with God once and for all. He lived, died, and was raised from the dead for you and for me—to bring us life at its fullest. Through Jesus, God offers each of us eternal life filled with forgiveness, love, grace, and purpose.

If you haven’t accepted this gift of love from God, I invite you to do so today. It is offered freely—no strings attached. Take some time to reflect on this incredible gift and receive new life today!

Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Help us to live fully with gratitude for the amazing gift of salvation that you offer us today. Amen.