Answered. Helped. Kept. Given.
Sunday, January 25
ISAIAH 49:8-13
There was a mistake in my leadership. It was not a moral failure, but it was an unusual oversight, and I felt embarrassed and ashamed for not recognizing it sooner. It took me longer than I would have liked to move past the mistake and regain my confidence. Throughout that process, I came to appreciate the power of restoration and above all, grace—qualities that our restoring God embodies in this passage.
I find myself particularly moved by the verbs in verse 8: answered, helped, kept, and given. In our moments of need, we are reminded that God answers us, pays attention, and even favors us when we acknowledge our circumstances. This realization provides a solid foundation, reassuring us that our struggles and realities are meaningful to God. God is not indifferent to our plight.
The notion of God keeping us implies a protection that goes beyond mere attention. We learn that our healing and our experiences with the Divine will serve as a foundation for being given; that is, empowering us to make a difference in a world that often stumbles. As disciples of Christ, we embody God’s promise to a world where sin is prevalent and the need is evident. We are that promise, reminding others that God is not finished with us and that we play a role in responding to pain, suffering, and oppression.
May our light shine before all, encouraging them with the hope we find exclusively in you. Amen.
Your Name On His Hands
Monday, January 26
ISAIAH 49:14-18
Back in high school when a young man was devoted to a young woman, they would exchange class rings. Typically, his ring was too large for her, prompting her to wrap a rubber band or yarn around it, while he would often wear hers on his pinkie. In our middle school days when we had a crush on someone, we would write each other’s names on our hands for all to see. In my case, I would write, “Dave + Jeannette,” often encircled by a heart. Although we couldn’t even date yet, we wanted everyone to notice that we liked one another.
Reading today’s passage, I recalled the giddy excitement we felt when we could finally write someone’s name proudly on our palms. I wonder if the Lord feels a sense of joy as our names are inscribed upon his hand? I find genuine hope, knowing this connection is more than mere “liking”; it symbolizes an eternal sense of belonging. Isaiah assures us that God cherishes us and works diligently to restore and protect us. We are not only loved, but we are integral to God’s heart. Our identities are secure, and we are forever valued.
May our light be an encouraging source of hope that helps us know that our place is with you. Amen.
Through The Storm Into Light
Tuesday, January 27
ISAIAH 9:1-4
Last year my wife and I found ourselves driving for six hours through torrential rainstorms on two separate occasions. The heavy rainfall caused traffic to slow, with hazard lights flashing all around us. At one point, I asked Jeannette to check the radar on her phone, hoping she would have good news about escaping the storm soon. Instead, she informed me that the storm covered not only the state we were traveling through but our home state as well. That day we drove through considerable gloom.
The second verse of this passage resonates with the reality of great darkness while also offering hope that we can transition from that darkness into something brighter. As an Enneagram 7, I tend to avoid pain and discomfort whenever possible. However, I have learned that dark moments are vital for my spiritual growth and formation. A saying in Ignatian spirituality goes, “God is in all things.” When we recognize God even in our darkest times, that is often when our spirits are formed most profoundly.
While I am always inclined to seek the light over darkness, I am deeply grateful for those who have journeyed with me through challenging times. They have helped me find the courage and strength to recognize the presence of the Divine even amidst the most difficult circumstances. And here comes the Son!
May our light shine before all, encouraging them with the hope we find exclusively in you. Amen.
Called—And We Go
Wednesday, January 28
MATTHEW 4:12-22
In September 1996, my wife, grandfather, and I were in China with our newly adopted three-month-old daughter. We were about to board a flight from Hong Kong to Chicago. A flight attendant informed me that President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush were on our flight. Intrigued, I asked if the Bushes would like to meet our baby. To my surprise, she escorted us up to first class. Mrs. Bush held our daughter while I crouched in front of President Bush. We enjoyed a delightful conversation during which he handed me a small gift.
Later I invited the Bushes to our daughter’s baptism. I will always remember the day I returned home to find a message on our answering machine. An aide conveyed that the Bushes would have loved to attend, but they would be in Poland on that date.
Memorable as that was, the call that defines us comes from Jesus. For Andrew and Peter, their call meant leaving their livelihoods behind. For James and John, it meant leaving both their work and their families. Responding to a call can be costly. Calls are sacred spaces where we are invited to walk in faith toward a purpose that is uniquely ours and given to us by our Lord.
The cost I incurred in following my call was different from that of Andrew, Peter, James, or John. My journey took me away from my home in west Michigan. Someone once said that when we truly care about something, we leave our mark on it. Following a call requires us to care deeply about our call and our response to it. Let us dare to make our mark and ensure that our responses leave a legacy of respect, love, and care for the people we live with and serve.
Lord, may the hope we find in you give us courage to engage what you call us to be. Amen.
Sheltered: Courage In Fear
Thursday, January 29
PSALM 27:1-6
Fear can easily become a companion in our lives, such as when I’m driving on switchback mountain roads. But its hold becomes especially strong during challenging moments, such as when our then two-year-old grandson was in the ICU, unconscious and fighting for his life. Fear quietly tightens its grip on my heart when I think of our children and grandchildren having to participate in active shooter drills. The universal truth is that fear, which incapacitates us or brings shame, does not come from God.
When I recognize fear creeping in, I turn to God’s Word, mining the promises of the Triune God, and I speak them back to God in prayer. Psalm 27 is a perfect refuge for countering fear. Read this psalm or recite it from memory. Make it personal, speaking as if you are seated at a table with the Divine, seeking the Lord’s favor: “Lord, you are my light and salvation; whom shall I fear?” (v.1, NRSV). I go through the entire psalm and repeat it as often as necessary. Between verses, I remind myself with these words: “Lord, replace my fear with your peace and courage.” The final step in this practice comes in verse 6, where I thank the Lord for the courage and peace God provides, even in the presence of adversities.
Lord, may the hope we find in your promises transform our fear into courage to live fully. Amen.
Wait With A Strong Heart
Friday, January 30
PSALM 27:7-14
Psalm 27 serves as an invitation to a profound encounter with God’s presence during our times of need. The psalmist earnestly implores, “Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me” (v. 7, NIV). Yet an obstacle remains: I know myself! If I were truly known, I assume, God would not have such desire for me to experience the love, mercy, and grace of the Divine. As I read today’s passage, I find it almost comical how the author seems to be convincing himself of God’s goodness and desire to bless him.
The key to this spiritual journey is to wait on the Lord. This is no easy task. It is not a passive activity; it requires patience and perseverance. But the psalmist recognizes that such waiting is a courageous act of faith. We choose not to listen to the negative voices that surround us and not to allow our past mistakes to hinder us from engaging in kingdom work.
The relationship described in this psalm embodies vulnerability and reliance on God. In a world filled with uncertainty, this trust anchors us and reminds us of the hope we have in the Lord. Let us remember to be strong and courageous! The promise of hope in God reassures us that God’s timing is perfect and God’s plans for us are good.
May the hope we find in you move us to trust in your goodness and love. Amen.
One In Christ, Shaped By Grace
Saturday, January 31
1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-17
What is unity? Merriam-Webster defines it as “the quality or state of not being multiple.” Unity does not necessarily mean that everyone agrees on solutions or the terms associated with them. Fear often accompanies the pursuit of unity. If we achieve unity, will we lose our agency? There is value in understanding that unity does not hinge solely on complete agreement. Instead, it flourishes through compromise and the willingness to allow ourselves and others the opportunity to grow in knowledge, understanding, and grace.
These are essential ingredients in the recipe for true unity. Without them, we are left with a collection of self-interests. We know that pursuing unity is a process. It requires patience, willingness, and, above all, a commitment to understanding one another. As we navigate our differences for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good, let’s pursue unity in practice—listening, repent, and shared action. In doing so, we offer a credible witness to God’s love, and we build a community where each person is known and heard.
Lord, may the hope we find in you give us the courage to stand for righteousness, knowing you are the Prince of peace, Lord of lords, and King of kings. Amen.
