Category: Daily Devotions

“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16) In the book Huckleberry Finn, the main character — Huck, as he was called — needed fishhooks. Someone had told him that God always answers prayers, so for three days Huck Finn prayed for fish hooks. But he received none. So he concluded:…

“His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3) When I look in the mirror, I see an ageing face with wrinkles, greying hair, and glasses — an image that continues to change as the…

“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?’” (Malachi 3:14) In the last book in the Old Testament, Malachi, the Israelites asked, “What’s the use in serving God?” During this pandemic it’s a question nonbelievers and…

“Sing and rejoice, O daughter Zion! For lo, I will dwell in your midst, says the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10) How are your Christmas preparations going? Do you even feel like celebrating this year? This has been a year of challenges and uncertainty. I’m sure we have all made plans that ended up being abandoned. Many…

“But with righteousness he shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.” (Isaiah 11:4). Isaiah is prophesying the coming of a new king. This will be a king who exhibits all of the qualities we believe a king is supposed to have. And as we read further in the…

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God … He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” (Isaiah 40:28) In the play Requiem for a Nun, the author, William Faulkner, says through one of the characters that after God created everything, he lost…

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth … He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:24-25) Interviews with millennials (born 1981-1996) have revealed that they do not really feel a need for God. Generally well educated with a good-paying job, and…

“All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” (Micah 4:5). Do you like to walk? Going for a walk can clear the head. You can walk on your own to think or take a friend or…

“Lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, ‘Here is your God!’” (Isaiah 40:9) Some time ago a chaplain at a public university heard one of the administrators saying, “No offense, but I think anyone who believes in God has a mental health…