Words of Hope Daily Devotional
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.
House and Home
Read: Psalm 23
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. (vv. 2-3)
How would you describe the difference between a “house” and a “home”? One is physical and temporary, made with boards, nails, and concrete. The other is emotive and elusive, harder to describe. Unlike our English language, the Dutch have a single word to sum up this concept: “gellezig,” meaning cozy, warm . . . a place of the heart.
Both “house” and “home” matter to God. In the Hebrew Bible, where we lay down at night is meant to be a place of physical safety and emotional comfort. “You will lie down, and none will make you afraid.” (Job 11:19)
On the afternoon of May 19, 2020, a series of dam failures flooded hundreds of neighborhoods, destroying thousands of structures in the Mid-Michigan region around Midland and Sanford. Two years later, many families are still living in hotels, campers, unfinished concrete basements, or guest rooms. Their homes, through no fault of their own, are still undergoing renovations and repairs.
Over the next two weeks, we will focus on stories that swirl around this man-made disaster and look for glimpses of God. He’s always there. As you read about their plight, pray for these individuals and families to reclaim those physical structures, but even more so their sense of peace and safety. Don’t forget to thank him for your own. —Tammy DeRuyter
As you pray, thank God for providing your home and a place to safely rest your head!
About the Author
Tammy DeRuyter is a former stockbroker turned student of theology and history. She holds master’s degrees in both from Fuller Theological Seminary and Central Michigan University. Married for more than 25 years to Michael, an ordained RCA pastor, they have three emerging, young adult children ages 20, 21, and 22—the youngest of whom was adopted at 11.
Contempt Lite
Read: Isaiah 6:1-13 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, . . . for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (v. 5) Perfectionism, expecting yourself and everyone else to
But I Don’t Like Weakness!
Read: Isaiah 40:27-31 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength. (vv. 30-31) I’ve been called a racehorse, known for galloping into life like a
Unfading Joy
Read: John 20:1-18 I am the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) I bought a lily this Easter to remember Art, one of the many people who died from Covid-19 in the last two years. Art’s death brought a grief
Abundant Fruit
Read: John 15:1-11 I am the true vine. (v. 1) The small planting of vines my parents tended ripened about the same time as the apple trees in our yard, but I never really noticed them until harvest. Apple blossoms fill
Good Friday?
Read: John 14:1-7 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. (v. 6) Today is Good Friday. Hardly anything about it could have seemed “good” to the disciples. Jesus hung on the cross for six hours. Peter denied him
No Idea
Read: John 10:10-18 I am the good shepherd. (v. 11) What is it like to be a shepherd? It’s a far cry from the quaint pictures in church nurseries, where clean-looking shepherds coddle fuzzy-wool lambs. Shepherding was tough, dirty, and risky.
Healer of Wounds
Read: John 10:1-9 I am the door. (v. 9) The “I am” sayings of John 10 provide personal and meaningful images of who Jesus is in relation to his people. Many of us live quite apart from the common farm images
I Can See!
Read: John 8:12-20 I am the light of the world. (v. 12) When Robert stopped by the Words of Hope office to thank us for how this devotional booklet helps him, tears welled up. He recounted parts of his story that
So Much More
Read: John 6:25-71 I am the bread of life. (v. 35) The challah bread our church serves for Communion is lovingly baked by volunteers. It tastes so good! I sometimes feel cheated if the piece broken off for me is smaller