Where Is Your God?
Sunday, June 22
Psalm 42
Sara Papetti
Covenant Congregational Church
North Easton, Massachusetts
When I read this psalm, I hear the writer calling out for God, and I keep wanting to shout, “He is here, right with you!” But I have asked myself the same questions: “Where are you, God?” and, “Why don’t I hear God?” I hear so many people talk about God talking to them, and I long to hear God but he often is silent.
Yet I know God is with me just as the authors of Psalm 42 know. God is always here; we are the ones who get lost, wander away, or become too busy listening to other things. Our souls grow heavy and we feel lost; however, this psalm reminds us that “The Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life” (v. 8, NIV).
Dear Lord, I praise you. You are my Savior and my God. I pray to you for my life, and I put my hope in you. Amen.
Nourishment And Presence
Monday, June 23
1 Kings 19:1-10
Emma Healey
Trinity Covenant Church
Manchester, Connecticut
How wonderful is our God, who responds to Elijah’s plea for help with a gentle touch, nourishment, and rest!
One time I fell seriously ill after a trip to South America. On the infectious disease floor of the hospital, surrounded by doctors and nurses clad in protective gear, I felt more fear and isolation with each visit. I was bored and angry that I was missing my freshman semester of college. The nights were the hardest, filled with despair and loneliness. One day, I called my best friend, who sneaked me in a cheeseburger and fries. It was pure joy to see her and finally eat! But later that night, the food made me sick and my fever skyrocketed. The nurse sat with me through the night. As I cried myself to sleep, she held my hand, using her other hand to place an ice pack on my forehead to ease my fever. She understood, just as God understands, that I needed nourishment and comfort. I craved the reassurance that someone cared for me, much like Elijah did when he felt at the end of
his rope.
God, thank you for loving me and understanding my needs. Amen.
Never Alone, Even When All Seems Lost
Tuesday, June 24
1 Kings 19:11-15
Gabriella Crosby
Evangelical Covenant Church
Springfield, Massachusetts
This passage is a reminder of God’s presence not only in the lives of those living in faith, but also in those seeking a place to rest their weary heads. The text reminds us that all people may seek renewal and purpose in God.
Most people’s core desires are love and purpose. Elijah shows us that even when all hope seems to be lost and the world is in chaos, we can listen for God’s voice. Eating and drinking of God’s life-giving sustenance, which is the Word, will provide us replenishment of purpose. He will also provide replenishment of our mind, offering us unimaginable peace and confidence in God’s ability to guide our path. The weight of life and situations will feel lighter on our soul when we give it all up to him and choose to have faith in God rather than in our own abilities.
Lord, I find refuge in you. You are a good Father. Amen.
Doubts And Expectations
Wednesday, June 25
Luke 7:18-23
Stephanie Nelson
Covenant Church of Thomaston
Connecticut
If anyone on earth at the same time as Jesus would have been sure about who Jesus was, that would have been John the Baptist. After all, before he was even born, he leapt inside his mother’s womb, bearing witness to who Jesus was. So if John doubted Jesus’s identity, what hope do I have to be sure?
John had been locked away by King Herod. Being imprisoned surely did not help his frame of mind. Perhaps the doubts were already there, or perhaps they arose in the midst of the darkness. As John sent his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the One, perhaps John wondered, “Did I baptize and announce the wrong Messiah?”
Jesus did not come as John expected. There was no blazing fire of judgment or warrior rescuing the people from Roman oppression. But there was a rescue. There was healing. There was power—just the unexpected kind of power that proclaims good news to the poor, a message of salvation to needy sinners.
Father, when our expectations are dashed, reveal to us who you are. Ground us in your goodness so that we may proclaim this good news. Amen.
The Master Is In Control
Thursday, June 26
Luke 8:22-25
Anonymous
“He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ‘Where is your faith?’ he asked his disciples” (vv. 24-25, NIV).
This week I felt distressed when a family member was experiencing a medical reaction accompanied by an anxiety attack. She felt like she was drowning. But the Lord Jesus responds to our cry, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (v. 24, NIV).
He hears us, he saves us, he calms our soul. How wonderful to feel hope and have security in the middle of our squall. The Master is in control.
“Even the winds and the water…obey him” (v. 25, NIV).
Lord Jesus, give me the faith to know you are always with me and in control. Amen.
Jesus And The Marginalized
Friday, June 27
Luke 8:26-39
Holly Harlburt Miller
Lord of Lords Bible Community Church
Manahawkin, New Jersey
“’Return home and tell how much God has done for you.’ So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him” (v. 39, NIV).
Jesus seeks us out, no matter where we are in life or how others see us. The demon-possessed man who was chained, would not wear clothes, and lived among the tombs was certainly an outcast to his neighbors. Yet Jesus crossed the sea to find him. Like the Samaritan woman, the man recognized Jesus for who he was and ran to tell others.
Jesus seeks us where we are, no matter who we are. May we open our eyes to his love and grace and run to tell others.
Lord, help us to remember how much we are loved by you and how you seek us. Amen.
Belonging In Christ
Saturday, June 28
Galatians 3:23-29
Linda Gustavson
Covenant Church of Easton
Connecticut
In Galatians 2, we see Paul oppose Peter for continuing to live under the law. In today’s passage, Paul is very convincing that we belong to Jesus, the Christ, purely and only through his sacrifice on the cross. There is no other way to salvation but through Christ and his redeeming sacrifice.
Verse 29 stands out in my heart: “If you belong to Christ, you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (NIV). Therefore, we must live by faith and are no longer prisoners of the law. How many of us try to “get right” with God by doing good, trying to earn our own way to salvation? But Jesus himself freely paid for our redemption with his own blood.
Dear Father, how magnificent you are that you planned for our redemption before creation. May the power of the Holy Spirit work within us to always keep you first in our lives. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
