Psalms 110 | The Lord says to my lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!” Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will crush kings on the day of his wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead and crushing the rulers of the whole earth. He will drink from a brook along the way, and so he will lift his head high.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds. – James 1:2

We easily see a purpose in the good things that happen to us. How about those things we consider bad? Could bad experiences be prerequisites for the good God has in store for us? Could enemies and opposition be a gateway to opportunity and promotion? And could the level of opposition reveal our calling to something significantly better?

As a teenager, David moved from obscurity to notoriety by slaying the giant Goliath, who taunted Israel (1 Samuel 17). While the Israelites saw Goliath and his Philistine army as undefeatable opposition, David grasped the opportunity to conquer in God’s strength, and give God the glory. Facing this challenge propelled David forward in his call to leadership and new challenges in his life. David became not only a warrior and king, but God also positioned David as a prophet. As such, he prophesied about the coming of the Savior and His future victory over the opposition: “The LORD says to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’” (Psalm 110:1; Mark 12:36).

It’s no wonder Scripture tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). To “consider it,” we see ourselves blessed and victorious even when troubles and opposition are real. The obstacles we face don’t take us further from God. They develop us in God. —Matthew Hughes

What if the blessings we’ve been praying for are hidden in the troubles we face?

God, help me to see the good that can come now and in the future from my struggles when I entrust myself to You. In spite of difficulties, attacks, and opposition, help me press forward into Your will for my life and purpose. Water me with Your love.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread.
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
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Psalms 102:1-2 | Hear my prayer, LORD; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD. – Psalm 102:18

With the unrest we see around the globe: the senseless—in many cases, needless—loss of life and economic sustainability due to Covid-19; the persistence of deadly encounters with police, and the destruction prompted by the rage so many feel, it is easy to be overcome with despair and discouragement. Psalm 102:2 says, “Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress.” We often find ourselves wondering, Does God see? Does God care? Will God act?

Reading in this psalm about the destruction brought about by Babylon (2 Kings 24–25), the focus shifts in verse 12 to God’s character, acts, and purposes. We read that He will act and that when God does so, all the kings of the earth will behold His glory. Because God hears the prayers of those who have no other help. He does not despise their prayers. Verses 18–22 pull back the veil of the curtain of time, allowing us to glimpse the tapestry the Almighty has been weaving. Future generations would read this story of destruction and learn that God is the One who cares for those who have no one to care for them.

This truth isn’t just for ancient Israel. It is for everyone. No matter how bad today looks, God is still working out His plan. No matter how painful your reality has been. He is going to make it right in the end. —Charles Gilmer

When have you questioned whether God cares about what you are facing?

God, help us to trust that You see, You know, You care, and You will act. Give us a glimpse of the good You promise to bring, even out of instances of destruction and devastation.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread.
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank Our Daily Bread for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://odb.org/

Romans 4:18-25 | Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. – Romans 4:18 (NLT)

After nearly five years of study and against the odds—limited finances, being a woman of color in a historically male-oriented, Western academy—I finished my doctorate, at the age of sixty! I was following in the footsteps of my grandfather, who also overcame obstacles to success. Despite having only an eighth-grade education, he believed he could start the first black-owned cab company in his city.

Abraham believed God when all the odds—his age, Sarah’s age, and long years of waiting on God—suggested it was impossible that he could become a father (Genesis 21:1–5). Moreover, Abraham became the father of generations who live by faith, those who hope against the odds (Romans 4:18). Abraham’s story serves as one of many examples of a simple truth that can encourage us all: God does the impossible.

Whether we’re recent graduates, in college, or working toward success in our career, there are odds stacked against us. Racial injustice, economic disruption, pandemics. When you’re saddled with school debt, entering a depressed job market with few entry-level opportunities, it would be natural to lose hope. Why hope against hope when there’s no evidence to support you? Abraham’s hope was not in his circumstances but in a living God who had spoken to him despite circumstances that seemed to defy that very word. A hope that defies the evidence and clings to God’s promises can achieve the impossible!—Melanie Johnson

What hope does Scripture offer you despite your circumstances? Which “impossibilities” could you realize by hoping against all the odds?

Help me to remember that You are the God of the impossible. I’m grateful that there are no obstacles too big for You to overcome.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread.
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank Our Daily Bread for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://odb.org/

Isaiah 40:28-31 | Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. “Be silent before me, you islands! Let the nations renew their strength! Let them come forward and speak; let us meet together at the place of judgment.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31

When I graduated from high school, I had so many hopes for my future. I was excited to start attending college far from home. A few weeks into my freshman year, I realized things weren’t going to be glamorous. I fought with my roommate, found it hard to make friends, and was distracted by the buzz of campus. My hopes and dreams seemed to be slipping through my hands. Depressed, I thought about not returning for the second semester. I was grateful to find a Bible study group that allowed me to focus on what is most important and regain strength.

In Isaiah 40, we see words of comfort for times of strife. “Even youths grow tired and weary . . . wait on the Lord” (vv. 28–31). God promised to care for Israel as the people turned to Him. God never tires in His ability to act on behalf of all who believe in Him. We’re tasked with balancing our social life, studies, work, and time for self-care. That’s not easy. It’s important to recognize that God offers strength to the vulnerable.

When I felt weary, I was reminded of God’s hope for me and allowed that to lead me. It led me to “soar.” Three years and a few months later, I received my degree. Even now, I can get weary, but I put my hope and trust in the Lord—and feel renewed.—Aja N. Bell

All walks of life have their own struggles and strife. Have you put yourself in other’s shoes to recognize that and remind others of God’s hope for them?

Dear Lord, I am tired. I am weak. But I know that You will give me the strength to not just survive, but to prosper. I am putting all of my hope in You.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread.
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank Our Daily Bread for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://odb.org/

Matthew 23:23-27 | “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! – Matthew 23:23

I’ve always looked up to my sister for being active in church, for reading her Bible, praying, and serving others. While talking with Elise about her first year in college, she revealed an experience that moved her to further self-examination. Elise told me about an incident with a girl Elise had looked up to as a role model—a believer in Jesus. Until the girl became part of an unruly mob of partygoers. Then Elise resented her, but God caused my sister to check her own heart.

Scripture reveals that there was a sect of Jewish clergy, the Pharisees, who loved to judge others rather than examine themselves. Throughout His ministry, Jesus came into conflict with them. While they judged Jesus a blasphemer, the Lord labeled them hypocrites. He noted the Pharisees’ superficial obsession with Jewish law during His final visit to the temple at Jerusalem. Jesus made an insightful statement regarding their view: “You give a tenth of your spices . . . . But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23).

Going to church, taking communion, prayer—all of these are good. However, if done solely to signify one’s moral superiority, then they are pointless. Our goal isn’t simply piety and following religious rules for their sake, but to become better examples of Christ’s love and bring this hope on Earth as we share it with others. —Anthony Jones

Are there any faith disciplines you elevate above godly love for others?

God, help us seek the most excellent way of loving You and our neighbor, without discrimination.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread.
Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.
We would like to thank Our Daily Bread for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://odb.org/