Daily Bible Verse

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Revelation 8:4 KJV
And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.


When Prayer Shakes the Earth

Dr. Gary Greenberg has magnified and photographed sand from beaches around the world, often revealing surprising, vibrant splashes of color from the minerals, shell, and coral fragments contained within.

He’s discovered there’s more to sand than meets the eye. In arenology (the study of sand), the microscopic analysis of sand’s mineral content can reveal much about erosion, shore currents, and their potential effects on coastlines. Even a little sand can yield information of great worth!

A single prayer, like a grain of sand, can be a weighty thing. Scripture indicates prayer’s powerful role in the coming of God’s kingdom. In Revelation 8, John sees an angel standing at the altar before His throne holding a golden censer containing “the prayers of all God’s people.” “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake” (vv. 3, 5).

Immediately after the angel hurled the censer filled with fire and prayer, seven angels with seven trumpets “prepared to sound them” (v. 6), heralding this old earth’s last days and Christ’s return.

Sometimes we may not feel like our prayers add up to much, but God doesn’t miss one. He so values them that they somehow even play a role in the consummation of His kingdom. What may seem like the smallest prayer to us can have earth-shaking weight with Him!


Reflect & Pray
Why do you think Jesus wants us to pray for God’s kingdom to come (Matthew 6:10)? In what ways can you stay faithful in prayer today?

Heavenly Father, please help me to be faithful in prayer today.


Insight
Exiled on the island of Patmos, the apostle John wrote of his prophetic visions about God’s future program, which he called “the revelation [apokalypsis] from Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1–4). As apocalyptic writing, Revelation uses symbolic, figurative, and metaphoric language to describe God’s end-time events. John wrote of His severe judgment being poured out on the earth in the seven sealed scrolls (ch. 6), trumpets (ch. 8), and bowls (ch. 16). In the interlude between the judgment of the sealed scrolls and trumpets, he wrote of “incense” offered to God (8:3). In the Bible, incense symbolically denotes “the prayers of all God’s people” (8:3; see 5:8; Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10). We’re not told what these prayers were, but earlier, the Christian martyrs had prayed for divine justice and vindication (Revelation 6:9–11). John tells us that “the prayers of God’s people, went up before God” (8:4). Scholars say these prayers are answered in 15:7–8; 16:5–6; and 19:2.
 

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Genesis 1:28 KJV
And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.


The Privilege of Stewardship

While on vacation, my husband and I walked along the beach and noticed a large, square patch of sand blocked off by a makeshift fence. A young man explained that he worked around the clock with a team of volunteers committed to guarding the eggs in each sea turtle’s nest. Once the hatchlings emerge from their nest, the presence of both animals and humans threaten and decrease their chance of survival. “Even with all our efforts,” he said, “scientists estimate that only one out of every five thousand hatchlings reach adulthood.” These bleak numbers didn’t discourage this young man, however. His passion for selflessly serving the hatchlings deepened my desire for respecting and protecting sea turtles. Now I wear a sea turtle pendant that reminds me of my God-given responsibility to care for the creatures He’s made.

When God created the world, He provided a habitat in which each creature could live and thrive (Genesis 1:20–25). When He created His image-bearers, God intended for us to “rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground” (v. 26). He helps us serve Him as responsible stewards who use our God-given authority to care for His vast creation.


Reflect & Pray
In what ways have you cared for God’s creation? How can you become a better steward of it this week?

Loving Creator and Sustainer of all, please show me tangible ways I can fulfill my responsibility as a steward of Your creation and inspire others to care for the world You’ve entrusted to us.


Insight
In Genesis 1:28, God commissioned human beings with the task of caring for His creation. But we’ve turned away from worshiping the Creator and have worshiped the creation instead. The apostle Paul noted that even though humanity “knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Romans 1:21). As a result, they worshiped images of humans and animals instead of God (vv. 22–23). Stewardship of creation is ordained by God. Worship of that creation instead of the Creator is an affront to Him.
 

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John 15:5 KJV
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.


We Need Jesus' Help

The day finally came—the day I realized my father wasn’t indestructible. As a boy, I knew his strength and determination. But in my early adult years, he injured his back, and I realized that my father was mortal after all. I stayed with my parents to help my dad to the bathroom, assisting him in dressing, even guiding a glass of water to his mouth—it was humbling to him. He made some initial attempts to accomplish small tasks, but admitted, “I can’t do anything without your help.” He eventually recovered to his strong self, but that experience taught both of us an important lesson. We need each other.

And while we need each other, we need Jesus even more. In John 15, the imagery of the vine and the branches continues to be one we cling to. Yet one of the other phrases, while comforting, can also strike at our self-reliance. The thought that can easily creep into our minds is, I don’t need help. Jesus is clear—“apart from me you can do nothing” (v. 5). Christ is talking about bearing fruit, like “love, joy, peace” (Galatians 5:22), those core features of a disciple. To bear fruit is the life Jesus calls us to, and our total reliance on Him yields a fruitful life, a life lived to the Father’s glory (John 15:8).


Reflect & Pray
The prayer “I can do nothing apart from You” is simple and powerful. What situations are you facing today that need prayer? How can you rest assured that God is with you and loves you?

Father, I can do nothing apart from You.


Insight
One of the distinctly beautiful features of the gospel of John is its seven “I am” sayings. These statements serve to identify Jesus with Yahweh—the eternal, ever-present, covenant-keeping God who revealed Himself to Moses in Exodus 3:14: “God said to Moses, ‘I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I am has sent me to you.” ’ ” Jesus’ declaration in John 15:1, 5—“I am the [true] vine”—is the seventh “I am” statement (see also 6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6) . On the eve of His death, Jesus reminded His disciples of how essential it was to remain connected to Him. Through Christ’s words we understand that “loving obedience” is required to abide in Him: “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (15:10).
 

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Ezekiel 17:24 KJV
And all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the Lord have spoken and have done it.


Relinquishing Control to God

Picture a mighty oak tree that’s small enough to fit on a kitchen table. That’s what a bonsai looks like—a beautiful ornamental tree that’s a miniature version of what you find wild in nature. There’s no genetic difference between a bonsai and its full-size counterpart. It’s simply that a shallow pot, pruning, and root trimming restrict growth, so the plant remains small.

While bonsai trees make for wonderful decorative plants, they also illustrate the power of control. It’s true that we can manipulate their growth as the trees respond to their environment, but God is ultimately the One who makes things grow.

God spoke to the prophet Ezekiel this way: “I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall” (Ezekiel 17:24). God was foreshadowing future events when he would “uproot” the nation of Israel by allowing the Babylonians to invade. In the future, however, God would plant a new tree in Israel that would bear fruit, with “birds of every kind” finding shelter in the shade of its branches (v. 23). God said that no matter how much upcoming events seemed out of control, He was still in charge.

The world tells us to try to control our circumstances by manipulation and through our own hard work. But true peace and thriving are found by relinquishing control to the only One who can make the trees grow.


Reflect & Pray
How are you tempted to try to control your life? How does trusting in God’s control bring peace?

We praise You, loving God, as the all-powerful King. Help me acknowledge Your lordship in my life.


Insight
The powerful Babylonians had been attacking Judah and besieging Jerusalem (605–597 bc). They’d already sent the royalty, aristocrats, and Jewish upper classes into exile (2 Kings 24:10–16; Daniel 1:1–5), including the prophet Ezekiel, who was a priest (Ezekiel 1:1–3). From Babylon (593 bc), Ezekiel ministered to the Jews already in exile (3:11) and to those still residing in Judah (12:10). He pleaded with his countrymen to repent and turn to God and warned them that if they continued in their sinfulness, Jerusalem would be destroyed and the nation exiled. The Jews remained unrepentant, however, and only pretended to be interested in following God (33:31–32). Within seven years (586 bc), Jerusalem was burned to the ground and the entire nation exiled (2 Kings 24:18–25:21) as prophesied by Ezekiel (Ezekiel 12:10–16).
 

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Isaiah 40:28 KJV
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.


Strength to Let Go

Once known as the World’s Strongest Man, American weightlifter Paul Anderson set a world record at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, despite a severe inner-ear infection and a 103-degree fever. Falling behind frontrunners, his only chance for a gold medal was to set a new Olympic record in his last event. His first two attempts failed badly.

So, the burly athlete did what even the weakest among us can do. He called on God for extra strength, letting go of his own. As he later said, “It wasn’t making a bargain. I needed help.” With his final lift, he hoisted 413.5 pounds (187.5 kg) over his head.

Paul, the apostle of Christ, wrote, “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10). Paul was speaking of spiritual strength, but he knew that God’s power was “made perfect in weakness” (v. 9).

As the prophet Isaiah declared, “[The Lord] gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29).

What was the path to such strength? Abiding in Jesus. “Apart from me you can do nothing,” He said (John 15:5). As weightlifter Anderson often said, “If the strongest man in the world can’t get through one day without the power of Jesus Christ—where does that leave you?” To find out, we can release our dependence on our own illusive strength, asking God for His strong and prevailing help.


Reflect & Pray
When you depend on God’s strength, and not your own, what’s the outcome? How does abiding in Jesus give you strength?

All-powerful God, my life’s burdens feel heavy and overwhelming, but abiding in You gives me Your strength to carry on and overcome.


Insight
The people of the Bible repeatedly found strength through their relationship with God. In Exodus, after the Israelites miraculously crossed the Red Sea, Moses sang, “The Lord is my strength and my defense” (15:2). When David’s men talked of stoning him, he “found strength in the Lord his God” (1 Samuel 30:6). Later, after God delivered him from Saul, David declared, “It is God who arms me with strength” (2 Samuel 22:33; see Psalm 18:32). Likewise, Asaph proclaimed, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26). The prophet Isaiah declared, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense” (Isaiah 12:2). We too can find strength in God, who assures us, “Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you” (41:10).
 

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Proverbs 22:6 KJV
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.


Discerning Right Paths

No one would have believed sixteen-year-old Brazilian skateboarder Felipe Gustavo would become “one of the most legendary skateboarders on the planet.” Gustavo’s dad believed his son needed to pursue his dream of skating professionally, but they didn’t have the money. So his dad sold their car and took his son to the renowned Tampa Am skating competition in Florida. No one had heard of Gustavo . . . until he won. And the victory catapulted him into an amazing career.

Gustavo’s dad had the capacity to see his son’s heart and passion. “When I become a father,” Gustavo said, “I just want to be like 5 percent of what my dad was for me.”

Proverbs describes the opportunity parents have to help their children discern the unique way God has crafted their heart, energy, and personality—and then to direct and encourage them toward the path that reflects who God made them to be. “Start children off on the way they should go,” the writer said, “and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (22:6).

We may not possess vast resources or profound knowledge. With God’s wisdom (vv. 17–21) and our attentive love, however, we can offer our kids and other children within our sphere of influence an immense gift. We can help them trust in God and discern the paths they can follow for a lifetime (3:5–6).


Reflect & Pray
Where have you encountered a parent attentive to their child’s heart or energy? How has God revealed His attentive ways to you?

Heavenly Father, as I consider how good parents pay attention to their children, I know You’re the truest parent. Thank You for seeing and guiding me.


Insight
Proverbs 22 opens a window into the world of King Solomon. Beginning in verse 17, Solomon provides a collection of thirty “sayings of the wise,” which are modeled on the proverbs of an Egyptian sage named Amenemope. A “sage” was the ancient Near Eastern equivalent of a modern philosopher, and Solomon’s work in Proverbs shows he was well aware of his fellow sage’s approach to wisdom. The striking differences in Solomon’s take on Amenemope’s work, however, highlight the crucial role of Israel’s God in wise living. Wisdom on its own isn’t enough, but, as Solomon notes in verse 19, the goal of wisdom is confident trust in God Himself.

Believers in Jesus don’t have a monopoly on wisdom. Like Solomon did with the Egyptian sages, we can find wisdom at work across the globe. But we also know that wisdom ultimately must direct humanity back to the God who created us.
 

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James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.


Humility Is the Truth

Reflecting one day on why God values humility so highly, sixteenth-century believer Teresa of Avila suddenly realized the answer: “It is because God is the supreme Truth, and humility is the truth. . . . Nothing good in us springs from ourselves. Rather, it comes from the waters of grace, near which the soul remains, like a tree planted by a river, and from that Sun which gives life to our works.” Teresa concluded that it’s by prayer that we anchor ourselves in that reality, for “the whole foundation of prayer is humility. The more we humble ourselves in prayer, the more will God lift us up.”

Teresa’s words about humility echo the language of Scripture in James 4, where James warned of the self-destructive nature of pride and selfish ambition, the opposite of a life lived in dependence on God’s grace (vv. 1–6). The only solution to a life of greed, despair, and constant conflict, he emphasized, is to repent of our pride in exchange for God’s grace. Or, in other words, to “humble yourselves before the Lord,” with the assurance that “he will lift you up” (v. 10).

Only when we’re rooted in the waters of grace can we find ourselves nourished by the “wisdom that comes from heaven” (3:17). Only in Him can we find ourselves lifted up by the truth.


Reflect & Pray
How does pride hinder true prayer and experience of God’s grace? How have you experienced the freedom of humility through prayer?

Loving God, thank You for the gift of life with You. Thank You that I don’t need to be more than I am. Thank You that in You I find all that I need and more.


Insight
James identified two sinful heart attitudes detrimental to peace and harmony in the church: covetousness (4:1–3) and pride (vv. 5–10). Covetousness or greed is condemned in the eighth and tenth commandments (Exodus 20:15, 17). Jesus warned us to “guard against all kinds of greed” (Luke 12:15). Greed is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5) because, in essence, it’s the worship of self. What fuels this self-worship is pride. Solomon says, “Where there is strife, there is pride” (Proverbs 13:10). God’s humbling of the proud is His emphatic judgment (Proverbs 6:16–17; Daniel 4:37; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).
 

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Esther 4:14 KJV
For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?


Standing Boldly

In a small Illinois town, domestic violence comprises 40 percent of all crimes in the community. According to a local pastor, this issue is often hidden in our faith communities because it’s uncomfortable to talk about. So instead of shying away from the problem, local ministers chose to exercise faith and courageously address the issue by taking classes to recognize the signs of violence and supporting nonprofit organizations working on the issue. Acknowledging the power of faith and action, a local minister said, “Our prayers and compassion, coupled with some tangible support, can make an important difference.”

When Esther, Queen of Persia, was hesitant to speak out against a law that authorized the genocide of her people, she was warned by her uncle that if she remained silent, she and her family wouldn't escape but would perish (Esther 4:13–14). Knowing it was time to be bold and take a stand, Mordecai queried, “Who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” (v. 14). Whether we are called to speak out against injustice or to forgive someone who’s caused us distress, the Bible assures us that in challenging circumstances, God will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5–6). When we look to Him for help in moments where we feel intimidated, He'll give us “power, love, and self-discipline” to see our assignment through to the end (2 Timothy 1:7).


Reflect & Pray
What might God be asking you to do? What tools have you already been given to answer the call?

Heavenly Father, thank You for placing a unique calling over my life. Help me to overcome my fears and step out in faith.


Insight
The story of Esther and the victory of God’s people over their long-standing enemies provide both encouragement and a warning to us today. Even when God seems absent, He’s operating behind the scenes to care for His people and protect them from their enemies. The survival of the Jewish people also means the continuance of the hope for the Messiah who would come. We also learn that God’s judgment can’t be hindered by anyone.
 

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Romans 11:33 KJV
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!


Untold Riches

In an orbit between Mars and Jupiter zooms an asteroid worth trillions and trillions of dollars. Scientists say 16 Psyche consists of metals such as gold, iron, nickel, and platinum worth unfathomable amounts of money. For now, earthlings are not attempting to mine this rich resource, but the United States is planning to send a probe to study the valuable rock.

The promise of untold riches just out of reach can be both tantalizing and frustrating. Surely in time there will be people who will champion the cause of reaching 16 Psyche for its treasure.

But what about the prospect of riches that are within our reach? Wouldn’t everyone go for that? Writing to the first-century church at Rome, the apostle Paul spoke of attainable riches—those we find in our relationship with God. He wrote, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Romans 11:33). Bible scholar James Denney described these riches as “the unsearchable wealth of love that enables God to . . . far more than meet the [great needs] of the world.”

Isn’t that what we need—even more than gold nuggets from some far-off asteroid? We can mine the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge found in the Scriptures as the Holy Spirit helps us. May God lead us to dig into those riches and to know and treasure Him more.


Reflect & Pray
What does it mean for you to be rich in God’s love? How can you dig more for riches that last?

Father God, help me to seek out Your wisdom and knowledge, Your judgments, and Your paths as I seek to follow You.


Insight
Paul isn’t the first biblical writer to speak of God being unknowable (Romans 11:33–35). Two thousand years earlier, Job (who is believed to have lived around the time of Abraham) asked, “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?” (Job 11:7). The prophet Isaiah aptly summed up our incapacity to fully know God: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8). But God desires us to know Him: “I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord” (Jeremiah 24:7; see Hebrews 8:10–11). The apostle John tells us that “no one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God . . . has made him known” (John 1:18). Jesus Himself affirmed, “If you knew me, you would know my Father also” (8:19). Even though we can’t comprehend everything about God, John says everyone who knows Jesus knows Him (17:3).
 

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Joel 1:19
O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field.


Drawn by Disaster

In 1717, a devastating storm raged for days, leading to widespread flooding in northern Europe. Thousands of people lost their lives in the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark. History reveals an interesting and customary—for that time—response by at least one local government. The provincial authorities of the Dutch city of Groningen called for a “prayer day” in response to the disaster. A historian reports that the citizens gathered in churches and “listened to sermons, sang psalms, and prayed for hours.”

The prophet Joel describes an overwhelming disaster faced by the people of Judah that also led to prayer. A massive swarm of locusts had covered the land and “laid waste [its] vines and ruined [its] fig trees” (Joel 1:7). As he and his people reeled from the devastation, Joel prayed, “Lord, help us!” (1:19 nlt). Directly and indirectly, both the people of northern Europe and Judah experienced disasters that originated with the effects of sin and this fallen world (Genesis 3:17–19; Romans 8:20–22). But they also found that these times led them to call out to God and seek Him in prayer (Joel 1:19). And God said, “Even now . . . return to me with all your heart” (2:12).

When we face difficulties and disaster, may we turn to God—perhaps in anguish, perhaps in repentance. “Compassionate” and “abounding in love” (v. 13), He draws us to Himself—providing the comfort and help we need.


Reflect & Pray
Why do people often turn to God when they face disaster? How can He use difficult times to draw us to Himself?

Heavenly Father, in the face of difficulty, help me to call out to You and find the hope You alone can provide.


Insight
God was to be the focal point of every aspect of life in Israel. Yet, despite enjoying God’s material blessings, the people forgot Him. They demonstrated their godlessness by taking His blessings for granted, repeatedly turning their bountiful grape harvest into an excessive lifestyle of drunkenness. So the prophet told them, “Wail, all you drinkers of wine; . . . for it has been snatched from your lips” (Joel 1:5). A horde of locusts would destroy all the grapes (vv. 6–7). In keeping with His character, God used this punishment to correct His people. From the context of the locust plague, Joel called the people to repentance: “Rend your heart and not your garments,” he said. “Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate” (2:13).