Today Daily Devotional

The Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

— Deuteronomy 4:31

Angela was a new Christian. She repeatedly asked her Bible-study teacher, Mrs. Green, how she would know that God was there for her.

Angela was in her teens and was having a difficult time since her parents’ divorce. She and her mother had moved 700 miles away, and she saw her father only once a year.

At one point, Angela's mother had some financial challenges. So Angela had to go and move in with her father and his new family. She felt that she had to be good, or God would leave her. Angela never told her mother about her abandonment issues.

Angela felt encouraged, however, whenever she talked with her Bible-study teacher. Mrs. Green told her that she was God's beloved daughter and that God would never leave her. God does not abandon his children. He loves us, and we belong to him. He is always with us, no matter where we find ourselves. Nothing can separate us from God's love and presence (Romans 8:38-39). God can be trusted.

Angela wanted to grow in her faith journey. Mrs. Green encouraged her with God’s truth. Angela learned that God’s promises are not based on our thoughts or feelings. God is faithful to his word. Mrs. Green said, “Angela, pray, read the Bible, and believe God’s words. He will not abandon you. Even when you might not think so, he is there.” And Angela believed.

Lord, help me always to believe you are with me, even if I do not feel your presence. Amen.

Do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

— Deuteronomy 4:9

Many of us have beautiful memories and stories of our parents, siblings, pastors, teachers, or neighbors showing their love and care for us, and we will never forget what they have done for us. Many of us also share these stories with our children, friends, coworkers, and others. These stories will always be part of our personal history.

Similarly, as believers in God, we remember stories of God’s deliverance, grace, protection, and greatness shown to us. Memories of our spiritual formation and personal blessings give us encouragement and strength.

We would not be who we are without God and what he has done in our lives. And when we remember and tell our stories, God receives the glory. Our faith is strengthened and renewed. When we tell others, especially the next generations, we share with them our love for and dependence on the Lord.

We can find many ways to remember. Some of us may use daily or weekly journaling, daily times of reflection with prayer, pictures, artwork, and music that remind us of significant times and places where we have encountered God in our lives. Some families and churches also designate times to tell stories about the Spirit’s work in their lives.

What are some ways you remember God’s goodness?

Almighty God, your goodness is too good to forget. By your Spirit, lead me to tell of your faithfulness and love to all generations. Amen.

What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?

— Deuteronomy 4:7

Sitting at home near a side window, I heard my little neighbor Simeon say, “Come on, Daddy.” His father was rolling a brand-new bicycle out of the garage into the driveway. Simeon had his helmet and knee pads on. He carefully got on his new bike. As Simeon's little feet paddled away, his dad stretched out his arms to hold on to the handlebars. Simeon laughed as he steered the bike carefully down the driveway with his dad right at his side. Father and son went up and down the driveway several times.

At one point, I heard Simeon cry. His father wanted him to try riding on his own, but Simeon didn’t like that idea. He continued to cry. Finally his dad said, “Simeon, I’ll be right here with you.” He gave his son what he needed, assuring him that he would not be alone. Simeon wiped away his tears. He looked straight ahead and rode without his dad holding on to the handlebars.

There is no god like our God! We do not have to go to a specific place to meet him. He is right there with us. We are always within God’s reach. He hears us when we call and cry out (Psalm 18:6), and he always cares for us.

Eternal God, thank you for always being close by. Even when it may seem that you are not there, you are. You are our ever-present help in times of need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

“Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you.”

— Deuteronomy 3:22

I do not know of anyone who has not been afraid of something or someone at some time in their life. Have you experienced the fear of a medical diagnosis, or of being harmed, or of being threatened by someone in authority, or of moving from a place of comfort and safety to a place that could be unwelcoming or even dangerous? Have you feared growing old, or being alone in old age, or perhaps losing your abilities or something you have worked for? Have you been afraid of losing loved ones or even your own life?

When we are afraid, it can be helpful to recall times when God demonstrated his love, care, and power. We can trust in the Lord, who is faithful. We do not have to be afraid (Psalm 27:1).

Moses faced his own fears when hostile kings and their armies threatened the people of Israel (see Deuteronomy 2:24-3:11). But God told him not to be afraid because God would defeat their enemies. God told Moses to encourage and strengthen Joshua so that he too would trust God and not rely on his own abilities or be afraid of other nations as they crossed the Jordan River.

We can face our fears on our own, or we can listen to God. We should obey when the Spirit nudges or tells us to be still. God has our back. He will give us strength and courage to stand. The Lord is always with us and will always take care of us.

Thank you, Lord, that I do not have to face my fears alone. I will trust you to give me strength and courage to stand. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has watched over your journey through this vast wilderness.

— Deuteronomy 2:7

We can be encouraged because God will bless all the work of our hands, whether we earn an income, raise a family, maintain a household, volunteer to help immigrants or youth, serve the church, or serve our community. God is the source of all our blessings and the work given to us. Our work is for his glory. And we know we can work to our fullest because God will bless all the work of our hands.

God wants us to work, and he wants to bless our work. When we think we are not qualified or capable of doing our work, God will provide for our needs. We can cast aside negative thoughts and do the work God has called us to do. God has provided our work for us—whatever it may be—and we can work at it “with all [our] heart, as working for the Lord”; he is our true and loving Master, not a human master (Colossians 3:23). Whatever gifts God has given us to work with can open doors to new and unexpected opportunities for blessings. We will bear fruit, and the blessings will multiply.

During their long time in the wilderness, the Israelites worked with their hands, following God’s direction, and God blessed them. They had everything they needed because God provided, and they worked to honor him. God gave them enough for themselves and some to give away. God desires for us to flourish!

Loving God, thank you for all your blessings. If we are discouraged in our work, remind us that we work for you. Amen.

“. . . In the wilderness . . . you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”

— Deuteronomy 1:31

The picture of a father gently carrying his son is an image of God’s love, power, and protection extended to us as his children. When we cannot go any further, we are drained of our desire to keep going. We feel beat up by life’s circumstances and don’t want to show up anymore.

I remember watching a replay of the 1992 Olympics men’s 400-meter semifinals in Barcelona when British runner Derek Redmond injured his leg. The announcer said, “He’s out!” Redmond was in pain and couldn't run, but he hopped on one foot, heading for the finish line. The crowd cheered because he didn’t stop. He wouldn’t let anyone help him until his dad ran out onto the course and wrapped his arms around him. Redmond’s dad wore a cap that said, “Just Do It.” But Redmond’s pain was too intense, and he cried. Yet the crowd never stopped cheering. The father held his son until he made it to the finish line.

When we’re running our race in life and can’t see our way through, our heavenly Father will gently carry us all the way. There’s no reason to feel shame or guilt. We cannot “just do it.” God will carry us through the wilderness. God is always with us, wherever we are, and he promises us that we will make it through.

Heavenly Father, thank you for carrying me when I can’t “just do it.” I leave my shame and my guilt at Jesus’ feet. In your powerful name, Lord, and by your Spirit, Amen.

“See, the Lord your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

— Deuteronomy 1:21

One morning, while looking out my kitchen window, I observed my neighbor’s two sons, ages 8 and 10, playing in their backyard. The older boy jumped across a gap from one wooden landscape log to another. He tried again and fell, but he got back up. With his brother watching, he looked back at how far he had jumped. He paused. I imagined he needed the courage to make another jump. He jumped again and landed safely on the log again.

Moses reminded God’s people of their history. God had rescued them from slavery in Egypt, sustained them in the wilderness, and given them victory over other nations. They were assured of God’s guidance and protection in preparation for entering the promised land. They did not need to fear what was ahead of them, even though there were reports of powerful enemies and even giant warriors in the land. God would go before them and fight their battles.

We too may need a reminder of our past failures and victories in order to have the courage to follow God. His faithfulness will propel us into our future. We can look back and see what God has already done. God has a plan already marked out for us, so we can trust, follow, and step out in faith.

Almighty God, give me the courage to trust and follow you, even when I cannot see my way forward. My past, present, and future are in your hands; you will always go before me. Amen.

At that time I said to you, “You are too heavy a burden for me to carry alone.”

— Deuteronomy 1:9

Moses, the leader of God’s people during their long time of wandering in the desert, learned that he could not carry the heavy burdens of the people on his own. The Israelites had grown in number. Bearing their problems, burdens, and disputes was too much for one person to handle. So he shared the workload with other leaders from among the twelve tribes of Israel, and they developed a system that worked for everyone. (See also Exodus 18.)

New challenges are a part of life, and we cannot keep doing what we are used to if it no longer works. We can talk to a pastor, family members, close friends, or other trusted persons when our burdens are too much for us—emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Many of us today face an overload of situations that are causing anxiety in our lives: family concerns, financial troubles, broken relationships, work dissatisfaction, career pressures, societal issues. Struggling on our own is not healthy, and eventually we need help. The Lord wants us to share one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

As followers of Jesus, we can make the right choice by lightening our burdens. Jesus invites us to receive rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30). We don't have to carry our burdens alone. We can give them to the Lord.

Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing our burdens. We are not alone. You have given us people who love and care for us. Help us to find rest for our souls and strength to carry on. Amen.

“See, I have given you this land. Go in and take possession of the land the Lord swore he would give to your fathers—to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—and to their descendants after them.”

— Deuteronomy 1:8

Every new year brings new opportunities and challenges. May the Lord prepare us to receive something new this year to improve our lives.

Many people begin the year by making New Year's resolutions and promises, but that approach rarely works well. To receive from God, we must believe that he has prepared something for us. We need to dismiss thoughts of not being worthy or deserving of God’s blessings. We may imagine and speculate what God will do for us, but we do not really know (see 1 Corinthians 2:9).

To receive from God, we must believe he will do as he says. We cannot lean into our own understanding or dwell too much on the past because we might miss seeing God’s hand at work (Isaiah 43:19). When God nudges us forward, we cannot allow fear to keep us in our comfort zone or be satisfied with our current situation. We cannot talk ourselves out of what God wants to do.

Let us remember our history with God and be ready to receive. We can trust him and respond in obedience. We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us receive God’s blessings in this new year. God wants us to step out and receive the blessings he has in store for us.

Gracious God, as we begin this new year, we want to be ready for whatever you have prepared. Awaken us each day to the newness of life in you. Amen.

There will be no more night.

— Revelation 22:5

Throughout the Bible, God uses the metaphors of light and darkness and of day and night to highlight a constant tension. Will God’s light flourish and fill creation, or will God’s creation fall back into the original darkness, the formlessness and emptiness in which God started to create?

We feel that tension every time we hear about another war, natural disaster, or corrupt leader. The tension comes home when we don’t have enough money to make ends meet, when our relationships break, and when we receive news that the battle for life and death is in our own bodies. We wonder, “Will we ever get out of this mess?”

God gently reassures John and us that our present sufferings will not have the final word. God shows John that through Jesus a day is coming when all of life will flourish beyond John’s wildest imaginings. Fruit trees whose very leaves bring healing to all the peoples of the world will flourish in the heart of God’s new creation, bearing new crops every month!

God also reveals that “there will be no more night” in this new creation. The threat of darkness and all that it symbolizes throughout the Bible will be removed. By God’s lavish grace, evil will no longer distort or diminish life anywhere within God’s new creation. Even now, God is at work making everything new!

Hallelujah! Lord God, equip us to live confidently, even boldly in expectation of your new creation. Please bring this day about soon, we pray. Come, Lord Jesus!