Today Daily Devotional

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

— Genesis 28:16

In ancient times, most people didn’t sleep with fluffy pillows as many of us do today. Instead they often slept with their heads propped on wood, bronze, or stone. In our reading today, we find Jacob traveling on foot to the land of Harran, and he uses a stone for a pillow.

The hardness of that pillow didn’t seem to affect Jacob’s sleep. He was exhausted, fleeing from his murderously angry brother after stealing their father’s blessing. Jacob probably fell asleep quickly on this particular night, but then he drifted into a dream about heaven. In his dream, he saw angels ascending and descending a stairway that reached to the heavens, and God himself was there. After identifying himself as the God of his fathers, God promised to give Jacob countless descendants as well as the land he was sleeping on. When Jacob awoke, he was frightened and amazed, and he promised to commit himself to the God of his fathers.

Today God speaks to our hearts through his Word and Spirit—and perhaps sometimes in our dreams. When we awake from a particularly vivid dream, we should remind ourselves that God sometimes reveals himself to us in peculiar ways. And, like Jacob, we can recommit ourselves to following and serving God in our everyday lives.

Thank you, God, for your Word and Spirit, and for your ability to speak to us through our dreams, which can remind us of your love and faithfulness. Amen.

As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him.

— Genesis 15:12

I awoke this morning from a weirdly confusing dream. Scientists call the dreaming phase of sleep “rapid eye movement” (REM) sleep. In REM sleep our minds process and assimilate information from our day-to-day experiences. Sometimes, as we learn in the Bible, God uses REM sleep to communicate with people.

Our Bible reading today tells us about two of God’s messages to Abram. First, in a vision, God gives an astounding promise: he will make Abram the father of many descendants—as many as the stars in the sky (vv. 1-6)! Then, at sunset, Abram falls into “a deep sleep”—a dark hole of dreams in which God promises that he will inherit the land he is living in.

Though Abram may have been perplexed by these messages, he took God at his word, and God “credited it to him as righteousness.” Later, as a sign of his promises, God also renamed Abram as Abraham, which means “father of multitudes'' (Genesis 17:5).

Most of our dreams just leave us confused, but in this story sleep plays an outsized role in God’s promise to bless Abraham and all of humankind. God reveals his great love in a grand design that ultimately points to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Not every dream carries a message. But our dreams can remind us to trust the one who created us with the ability to dream.

Father God, even when we are asleep, we can be assured of your presence and promise in our lives. Help us to trust and rest in you. Amen.

The Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.

— Genesis 2:21

When God created the world, he built into his creatures the need for rest and sleep. Some creatures, like frogs, barely sleep at all; but others, like koalas, sleep over 20 hours a day. We humans spend about a quarter to a third of our lives sleeping. Without sleep, our bodies cannot restore and repair themselves.

In Genesis 2 we read of a particular occasion when God causes Adam, the father of humankind, “to fall into a deep sleep.” God’s purpose wasn’t to trick or deceive Adam while he was sleeping. At this pivotal moment in history, God continued his creative work in order to bless Adam, all humanity, and all of creation. While Adam was asleep, God used one of his ribs to create a woman, who would be the mother of humankind. And she was named Eve to reflect that (Genesis 3:20).

This story tells us much about the beginnings of human life. It shows God’s creative power and his care for us as he brings us into the world he has made. We learn that we need God, we need each other, and we need the world God created for us. As we live in and take care of this world, we also need sleep. What’s more, God used sleep in a special way to complete his creation. As you prepare for sleep today, give thanks for the blessings of rest and sleep—and for God’s faithful sustenance and care.

Father, by your hand we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Thank you for sleep and for your care over us as we rest in you. Amen.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. . . .

— Psalm 23:4

Some situations in our lives can make us fearful, like a dark valley where danger lurks. Maybe we’ve received a surprising medical report or a layoff notice. Maybe we’ve lost a dear loved one. Maybe our marriage is falling apart. Or it could be any number of hard situations at once.

What a blessing it is to have the Lord at our side in such times!

The psalmist did not fear because he knew the Lord was with him, always caring for him like a good shepherd. He had enjoyed good and peaceful times in God’s presence, when all seemed to go well. And he trusted that the good shepherd would not abandon him in difficult times.

We can trust that God will never abandon us because his promise is not only to be with us here in this life but for all eternity.

Jesus’ sheep are happy because he is the good shepherd who has laid down his life for them and will never let them go (John 10:11-18, 27-30). He supplies all of their needs. He protects them from evil. Even in the darkest valleys of life, Jesus’ sheep need not fear because their shepherd has defeated death. Jesus has already taken away the sting of death—and now he offers us, free of charge, through faith, a happy and eternal life!

Lord, in you I have peace at all times, because you are always with me. The certainty of your presence assures me that I am safe in your omnipotent care. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

— Psalm 32:1

Many people are plagued with guilt. They live as prisoners of sin, without peace in their souls. As a result, many people have sought refuge in false solutions, and their attempts to appease their feelings of guilt have failed miserably.

Some people try to escape this overwhelming feeling by going on adventures. Others try to numb themselves with alcohol or drugs, creating even deeper pain. Some try to calm their anguish with self-help philosophies and mystical experiences. But no ritual or exercise can alleviate a guilty conscience.

Only the blood of Jesus can blot out our sins and free us from the guilt of our wrongdoing. Only Jesus can break the bars of our prison and break our chains. Only Jesus can offer us true forgiveness and eternal happiness. Seeking forgiveness from another source is like trying to find water in a dried-up well.

The psalmist learned similarly that while he kept silent (not seeking God’s forgiveness), his “bones wasted away” and his “strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” Only when he opened his heart to God and acknowledged his sin did he find healing for the affliction of his soul. For he found that God “forgave the guilt of [his] sin.”

Hallelujah!

Because of your mercies, O Lord, we are not consumed. Your forgiveness cancels the power of guilt and sin. We praise you, Lord, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

— Matthew 5:10

Let’s focus again today on Jesus’ statements of blessing (beatitudes) in Matthew 5. These statements have been a source of encouragement for believers struggling with adversity, harassment, and oppression. These words may not seem so attractive today, however, when success and self-sufficiency are so highly valued. Our Scripture reading today, especially, might cause us to wonder what happiness there can be in facing persecution because of Jesus.

Suffering for our own mistakes tends to be a source of shame. But to suffer for the sake of righteousness (because we are followers of Jesus) is a cause for joy in the Lord. The Lord’s prophets and apostles who lived before us suffered many kinds of humiliations for the sake of righteousness and justice—just because they were trying to live God’s way. Jesus, likewise, was persecuted for doing good and teaching about the kingdom of God.

The apostle Paul says that “everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). So we can expect to face some kind of suffering as Jesus’ followers. But, as Paul also teaches, “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18). The happiness we enjoy now is just a prelude to our eternal happiness!

Lord, despite the difficulties we may face, fill our hearts with peace and happiness in serving you, knowing we will live with you forever! Amen.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

— John 10:10

In our reading today Jesus explains that he is our shepherd, “the good shepherd” who “lays down his life for the sheep.”

Jesus also says that the purpose of his coming into the world is to give us life in abundance. Unlike the thief, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep, Jesus came so that we can experience permanent joy, lasting peace, and eternal happiness.

Once, during a feast in Jerusalem, Jesus stood up and declared, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38).

True happiness is in knowing Jesus by experiencing him and enjoying him. This is not just a theoretical or intellectual knowledge. Jesus is the water of life. We need to drink this water. Whoever drinks this water will never be thirsty again.

Jesus quenches our existential thirst, our hunger for meaning. Although we may feel like an insignificant speck in the vast universe, Jesus became human, just like us. He, more than anyone, values his creation and gives us an unmatched gift: abundant life.

Lord Jesus, anyone who loves you lacks nothing. You have promised us abundant life. Guide us each day to live fully for you, with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank you for coming to save us, and help us to share your love with everyone. In your name we pray. Amen.

“’This son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

— Luke 15:24

Jesus’ parable of the lost son is one of the most moving stories in the Bible. It is about a young man who felt dissatisfied in his father's house. He thought he could find happiness far away from his family home. So one day he asked for his share of the family inheritance and left.

At first, while he had money, the young man had plenty of friends and lots of fun. He spent everything he had on riotous living. But then hunger came, and he knew what it meant to be in need. He found work taking care of pigs. The happiness he had thought he would find was just a mirage.

The lost son had been happy in his father's house but didn't know it. Now he was consciously unhappy, so he decided to return home and ask his father for forgiveness.

The lost son was willing to be received only as a servant. But when he returned home, he was surprised. His father was waiting for him and ran to meet him. His father hugged him, kissed him, and threw a party for him, saying, “Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine . . . was lost and is found.”

Jesus said there is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents and returns to God (Luke 15:7, 10). In the same way, let’s celebrate when anyone among us does the same!

Dear God, thank you for making us part of your family, and for sending Jesus so that we can return to you. May we also share in rejoicing whenever another child returns to share in your happiness. In Jesus, Amen.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.

— Psalm 128:1

Psalms 128 reminds God’s people of the blessings of family life. (See also Psalm 127; June 10.)

One of the greatest blessings we have is our family. A happy marriage is worth more than any fortune; a united family is worth more than any wealth. A family that honors God is a valuable testimony to the richness of God’s blessing in life.

A family dedicated to serving the Lord in all things is a family that knows happiness. The husband who fears the Lord and wants to live God’s way works with all his energy for a safe and godly home for his family members. He loves his wife “just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25); he is united to and faithful to his wife, who is “like a fruitful vine.” They respect and care for one another. And if they are blessed with children, their children are “like olive shoots,” fruitful in bringing more blessing into their lives. Godly parents teach their children in the ways of the Lord so that they may be blessed all the days of their lives. And if God wills it, they may live to see their children’s children, receiving even more blessing and joy from God’s hand.

With blessing the Lord brings prosperity, peace, and joy to families who seek to honor him. When you honor God in your home, you will always have him as an ally.

Father, bless our homes and families with your love. Give us unity, joy, fidelity, forgiveness, and prosperity—that we may share with others and help them to know you too. In Christ, Amen.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. . . .

— Ephesians 5:18

In Brazil there is a popular festival each year called Carnival. Sponsored with public funds and promoted by political authorities, Carnival attracts millions of tourists from around the world. Parading cars and floats with all kinds of decorations fill the main streets of large cities. Samba schools parade to the rhythm of the batucada before the euphoria of a crowd thirsty for pleasure. Carnival is the festival of masks. Sadly, it is a drunken party. Carnival is a vain effort to find joy where there are only ashes of frustration.

The false joy that Carnival promotes leaves a bitter taste. In the setting of this festival, decency is sacrificed, immorality is celebrated, and the wise values of dignified family life are tossed aside.

Lulled by amazing spectacles, the crowds jump and dance, animated by worldly ideas of joy. But people’s hearts at the end of this event are empty. Carnival, in fact, is a party where true joy does not find expression.

Instead, however, we can give thanks that God offers us true happiness. We are invited to be filled with the Holy Spirit, who makes our bodies a holy dwelling place for God (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). Only in the Lord can we find the peace and tranquility that our souls long for.

Blessed God, transform our hearts. Free us from trying to solve our problems and to escape our struggles with the excesses of empty celebrations. Turn us to find true life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.