Still Good
SUNDAY, July 5
Psalm 13
Early in our marriage, we had two pregnancy losses within the span of just four months—the first one being an ectopic pregnancy that required emergency surgery. The psalmist who wrote today’s psalm has no qualms about expressing the kind of grief I was feeling during that time. I think the language is more dramatic than we normally would find comfortable. Thankfully, we have a God who can handle us when we are not at our best—we are even told to cast our anxiety on him because he cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
What a remarkable thing! We don’t have to wait for things to improve. We don’t have to spin our situation as a blessing in disguise. We can go to God when things are out of control and be fully honest, because we know that he cares for us. We can despair, yet trust. We can tell God how much frustration/desperation we have, and in the same breath, we can be grateful that we can go to God, knowing he is still good.
Where in your life are you asking, “How long, Lord?” How does it feel to bring that honestly before God? What does it mean to trust in his unfailing love when circumstances haven’t changed?
Prayer
Lord, we bring the hard things to you, knowing that you care for us and want to restore us. Help us to bring our full selves to you and to recognize your goodness even in our most difficult circumstances. Amen.
An Honest Meteorologist
Monday, July 6
Jeremiah 28:5-9
Last spring brought tornados, high winds, torrential downpours, and snow. I’m grateful we had warning and could brace for it. Otherwise, we would have been unprepared and people would have been put in harm’s way.
Mild and sunny would surely have been the preferred forecast, but as Jeremiah points out, we would know the truth based on the outcome. A meteorologist worth their salt knows their job is to tell us the accurate forecast, not the one we want to hear. God sends us prophets like Jeremiah—knowing that in the end, the truth will be evident. Jeremiah was wise to discern that good news is more palatable, but the truth is always more important than what’s palatable.
Prayer
God, thank you that you love us enough to tell us the truth. Help us to receive it as a gift, even when it is not what we want to hear. Amen.
Promises, Promises
Tuesday, July 7
Genesis 22:15-18
Abraham has received huge promises from God, and despite the odds, God has been delivering on those promises. When it looked like it wasn’t going to pan out, Abraham took matters into his own hands and tried to make it happen on his own. Even so, God still kept his promise to give him a son who would be the start of his innumerable offspring.
I often wonder what was going through Abraham’s mind when he was instructed to sacrifice Isaac. Was he panicking? Angry? Resigned? Did he trust that God would ultimately spare his beloved son? Was he okay with the command to sacrifice Isaac, knowing God would still be faithful? Ultimately, we do not know. We know that Abraham loved Isaac, and we know that Abraham believed God’s promise, and that he decided to obey. We also know that God kept his promises to Abraham and was faithful to him. God’s promises and plans aren’t bound by our understanding or timelines, but we can hold on to his promises to us and know that he does provide.
Prayer
Lord, when we are struggling to be faithful, help us to remember your faithfulness to us. Help us to trust your promises and plans when they do not make sense to us. Amen.
A Pattern That Doesn’t Lead To Ruin
Wednesday, July 8
Romans 6:12-23
I’ve been a knitter and crocheter for decades. Recently, the fiber arts community has seen an increase in AI-generated patterns. The pictures are often promising—you’re ready to begin—until the pattern falls apart. The instructions don’t quite work, and you’re left with a tangle of yarn and frustration. After reading reviews, you find a reputable designer and try again. What a difference. The instructions make sense, and the result matches the design.
In the same way, sin can look appealing at first, but following it leads to ruin. What a gift that God knows us and has given us a new way of life. What patterns do you need to reject in favor of the life you have been given?
Prayer
God, we confess that sometimes it’s hard to leave the old pattern behind for the new one you have given us. Thank you for new, eternal life. Amen.
Gotcha!
Thursday, July 9
Matthew 12:1-8
As the oldest of four siblings, I see myself in the Pharisees often. Their “gotcha!” in this passage has a similar feeling to when I tattled to my parents that a sibling had taken food into the bedroom when it was supposed to stay at the table. Never mind that the sibling had tons of homework and the kitchen was loud.
As a parent myself now, I find myself the legitimate rule maker in the house. I get to make the rule of no food in the bedroom because I don’t want pests to take over my kids’ living space. It’s for their benefit that the rule exists. I also get to make exceptions when the situation calls for it.
Jesus is doing the same thing. He points out gaps in the Pharisees’ knowledge of the rules and how they apply in different situations. He declares that he himself is the One in charge. When something more important than a rule comes up, how do we respond? With mercy? Or with punishment?
Prayer
God, help me to be merciful as you have been merciful. Help us to concede control to you as the One who loves us and provides us everything. Amen.
A Person Is Valuable
Friday, July 10
Matthew 12:9-14
The Pharisees have just been corrected on their understanding of Sabbath laws. Twice. While human nature could predict that they might not receive this correction gracefully, they actually begin to plot how to kill Jesus. They were so concerned about the threat that Jesus posed to their power that they were willing to plot among themselves to break another commandment—murder.
Jesus, by contrast, points out how valuable people are and heals the man without even being asked. What a joy it is to know that Jesus sees us, values us, and will do good for us! How can we guard against our hardness of heart to receive what God is doing?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for valuing us and for doing good even in the face of opposition. Soften our hearts toward our neighbors. Give us courage to do good when excuses are easy to come by. Amen.
A Festal Shout, Not A Festal Should
Saturday, July 11
Psalm 89:15-18
This psalm is tricky for me. On my first read, I felt some pressure to be achieving a particular standard of praising God (all day long!). I kept looking for the “should.”
But on reflection, I think the psalmist is just saying that those who know what it is to praise God and be in his presence regularly know what a gift it is. They organically find themselves praising God. Not necessarily in a flashy, performative way, but in a way that lets those around them know where their strength comes from.
I know people like that, and they are such a blessing to me. They help me remember to continually give God credit for all the good he has done and is doing. I like the NIV’s translation of verse 15, “Blessed are those who have learned,” because it gives me an opportunity to learn and become one of those happy, blessed people in the presence of God. What a gift to know God who will be present with us as we learn!
Prayer
God, teach us to praise you in all things. Shine your face upon us, and give us the words to tell everyone around us the great things you have done. Amen.
