Words of Hope Daily Devotional
Staying the Course
Read: Psalm 18:27-42
You equipped me with strength for the battle. (v. 39)
For me, long distance running didn’t come easy. I started by walking, and I wasn’t fast. Over time, through many months and years of training, I racked up the miles until I was ready for a 5K, and even longer races. Similarly, the faith journey takes perseverance. It can feel difficult, like running a marathon in heat or rain. Sometimes, we might feel pain. We might want to quit. But someone serious about running a marathon keeps on running.
In Psalm 18, David recounts that when the struggles of life may seem to overcome us, God delivers us. God gives us strength (v. 32), makes our feet firm on a safe path (vv. 33, 36), and equips us for the battles of life (vv. 34-35). We all face moments in life when we question God’s faithfulness and his promises. We may doubt his goodness when things don’t go as planned, or when we are in despair. But David found hope and strength in remembering God’s past acts of faithfulness to carry him through the present and the future (vv. 27-30).
God protects and defends everyone who trust him. Psalm 18 is a powerful reminder of this truth. If you need help today, re-read the entire psalm and use it to strengthen your trust in God’s perfect way and faithfulness. If we have faith in God’s promises, that faith will enable us to withstand suffering, which “produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame” (Rom. 5:1-5).
As you pray, ask how you can stay strong through your faith journey.
About the Author
Ariana D. Den Bleyker is a Pittsburgh native currently residing in New York’s Hudson Valley. She is the author of two devotional poetry collections,To Be Held by the LightandWaking in the Light. She is an ordained deacon in the Reformed Church of America.
The Silence and Salvation of God
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How Long, O Lord?
Read: Psalm 13 I have trusted in your steadfast love. (v. 5) There have been times in my life when I felt deep despair. It felt like the world was crushing me, like everything was more difficult than it should
Joy to the World
Read: Psalm 98 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (v. 4) Every year at Christmas, we sing the lyrics “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Two
Biblical not Textual
Read: Luke 24:13-35 Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. (v. 27) A pastor in a rural village in India took the Word of God very seriously and
Guilt to Gratitude
Read: Romans 8:27-39 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (v. 32) How do you respond to God’s gift of
All Is Well
Read: John 14:18-31 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (v. 27) Do you ever