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.
First Things First
Read: Matthew 6:33-34
Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house. (Prov. 24:27)
Recently I visited the historic sites of Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood in Kentucky and Indiana. The Lincoln family led a hard life on a series of frontier farms. Everyone knows about the log cabins they lived in, but the first job was always felling the trees to clear the fields for planting and splitting rails for fences to protect the crops. First things first; crops before houses. Because it didn’t do much good to have a cabin if there was nothing in it to eat when winter came.
Besides offering good advice for early American pioneers, the proverb has some practical wisdom for us. It tells us to make sure we put first things first and second things second in our lives. It’s amazing how easily distracted we are, how readily tempted to do what we like rather than what needs to be done. It’s true with our Saturday chores, our homework, our jobs—and our life’s priorities. Jesus told us plainly what those priorities should be: God’s kingdom and his righteousness. Put those first things first, and the secondary things have a way of working out for us.
What does that actually look like? It can be something as simple as beginning each day with Bible reading and prayer before turning to our daily business. My pastor has a good formula: “Scripture before screens.” It’s remarkable what cultivating daily godly habits can do. —David Bast
As you pray, ask the Lord to help you be consistent in your daily devotions.
About the Author
Rev. Dave Bast retired as the President and Broadcast Minister of Words of Hope in January 2017, after 23 years with the ministry. 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. He is the author of several devotional books. A graduate of Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, he has also studied at both the Fuller and Calvin seminaries. Dave and his wife, Betty Jo, have four children and four grandchildren. Dave enjoys reading, growing tomatoes, and avidly follows the Detroit Tigers.
The Gift of Oxygen
Read: Acts 17:22-31 . . . nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. (v. 25) No crying filled the delivery room when I
No More Darkness
Read: Revelation 21:21-27 And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. By its light will the nations walk, and the
God’s Marvelous Light
Read: 1 Peter 2:1-10 You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (v. 9 NIV) Do
Inheritance in Light
Read: Colossians 1:9-14 Giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (v. 12) There is a lot to be learned about inheritance from the Bible. The ESV translation uses
Darkness in Light’s Disguise
Read: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. (vv. 14-15) These days, I can see how as an “intelligent” youth, I
Light at the Judgment
Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. (v. 5) Paul was guilty
The Armor of Light
Read: Romans 13:5-14 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. (v. 12) Saul of Tarsus is transformed. No more blinded
Suddenly a Light from Heaven
Read: Acts 9:1-20 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. (v. 3) Saul went on his way. His way was to power up with his fine legal mind,
Darkness Has Not Overcome
Read: John 1:1-5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (v. 5) We hear so much about spiritual darkness today, and we who love the light can feel a sense of overwhelm or even