Words of Hope Daily Devotional
START EVERY DAY WITH HOPE
THE DEVOTIONAL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR EMAIL AND IN PRINT.
The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer.
THE DEVOTIONAL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR EMAIL AND IN PRINT.
The Words of Hope Devotional is a non-profit, donor-supported publication whose goal is to encourage readers to grow in faith through the practice of daily Bible reading and prayer.
DINNER WITH JESUS
Breakfast on the Beach
Read: Hebrews 11:8-16
They desire a better country . . . a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (v. 16)
Every human heart longs for a perfect home—a place where one can make a good life. This has been a century of migration—from country areas to cities, across borders and within countries, forced and by choice. Today, most people relocate for school, marriage, job opportunities, or a better life. I have lost count of the places I have lived and visited. Each person who is leaving one place for another has a different perspective, but they all want to find home in the end.
Notice in today’s Bible reading Abraham’s wisdom not to seek something that’s unavailable in the mortal world (v. 10). He looked forward to the kingdom of God. Similarly, Jesus’s first followers were scattered and separated, but they became a blessing as they embraced their place in the family of God dispersed abroad (James 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1).
You can live with joy in all circumstances only if you have found that higher call. Have you found it? If you’re leaving one home for another, know that your perfect home can be found in Jesus, and you can be a blessing in your new community. If you’re welcoming new people into your community, you have an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love.
As you pray, ask God to reveal himself with his presence and purpose to all people, especially in the midst of suffering. Ask God to guide all people to their perfect home in Jesus.
About the Author
SE Asia Ministry Leader
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, we have chosen not to share his name.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. First Last
David Bast is a writer and pastor who served for 23 years as the President and Broadcast Minister for Words of Hope. In his more than 40 years of devotional writing and preaching, he has been encouraging believers around the world to be shaped by God and his Word.
Prior to his ministry and work at Words of Hope, Dave served as a pastor for 18 years in congregations in the Reformed Church in America. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he is the author of nine devotional books and Bible studies, including Why Doesn’t God Act More Like God, Christ in the Psalms, and A Gospel for the World.
Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and eight grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
Jesus Feeds the 5000
Read: Mark 6:30-44 They all ate and were satisfied. (v. 43) One of the revealed names for God in the Old Testament is Jehovah Jireh—“the LORD will provide” (Gen. 22:14). This name is certainly true of the Lord Jesus. So
An Uncomfortable Dinner
Read: Luke 7:36-50 [Jesus] said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (v. 50) Every eye in the place was on her from the moment she entered the house. There were smirks, low chuckles, heads shaking—they
Levi’s Feast
Read: Luke 5:27-39 Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others. (v. 29) He was at home here, with these people, and they enjoyed his company. There was
The Wedding at Cana
Read: John 2:1-12 But you have kept the good wine until now. (v. 10) James Montgomery Boice wrote: “The life of the Christian is to be characterized by joy . . . that divine and desirable joy that characterized the
A Glutton and Friend of Sinners
Read: Luke 7:24-35 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, “Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!” (v. 34) It was the worst thing they could say
The Living One
Read: Revelation 2:8; Mark 16:1-8 The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life. (Rev. 2:8) We have already heard God call himself the Alpha and Omega, the first and last (Rev. 1:8). Now Jesus