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.
Hosanna!
Read: John 12:12-19 Fear not, daughter of Zion. (v. 15) Sometimes I fall asleep while watching my favorite team play basketball. I’ll wake up to see they won with no idea how. When I watch the replay, there are moments when
Two Words
Read: John 11:1-45 Jesus wept. (v. 35) My parents occasionally required us to recite a Bible verse before being dismissed from the supper table. We’d argue over whose turn it was to use John 11:35, the shortest verse in the Bible.
How Eyes Are Opened
Read: John 9:1-41 . . . and he worshiped . . . (v. 38) This is the sixth “sign” of seven in John’s gospel and contains more details than any other. We know the man’s condition before Jesus met him. We learn how
The Storm Inside
Read: John 6:16-21 It is I; do not be afraid. (v. 20) Ancient people feared the sea because they could not see beneath its surface. The unknown depths represented a dark mystery. Even for seasoned fishermen like the disciples, rowing across
Do the Next Thing
Read: John 6:1-14 Have the people sit down. (v. 10) I tend to be more like Philip than Andrew. As I look over the tasks on my to-do list or consider the responsibilities of my leadership role, I can be overcome
Holy Disruption
Read: John 5:1-18 He was even calling God his own Father. (v. 18) John recorded fewer miracle stories than other gospel writers, but each one is full of meaning and grows our belief in Jesus. In this miracle, Jesus disrupted the
Good News, No Boundaries
Read: John 4:46-54 Your son will live. (v. 50) Any parent with a child in peril can relate to this father’s desperate love as he sought out Jesus to heal his son. The road inland from Capernaum by the Sea of
The First Sign
Read: John 2:1-12 And his disciples believed in him. (v. 11) I find it quite human that the first request Jesus received sought to get someone out of a jam. A Jewish wedding lasted several days. It would bring embarrassment if
More Than Meets the Eye
Read: John 1:35-42 Come and you will see. (v. 39) We named our son “Andrew” in part because I love the disciple known by that name. Little is known about him outside of two stories in John 1 and John 12.