Daily Devotional

A daily devotional to strengthen your relationship with God.

Today's Devotional

I had only heard about you

My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
Job 42:5

If it were today, Job's story would probably be reported in every newspaper, newscast and social network you know. "A man loses all 10 of his children, his property, his assets and falls ill all at once...". We really can't imagine the pain in that heart.

If we look at the whole book, we find a long dialog between Job and his friends and, at the end, between Job and God. Job's words don't always sound reassuring. Much more so after being accused (by his own friends) of having done wrong, to receive such a tragedy. Job didn't understand the reason for his pain. But God did not condemn his anger or his questions. Unlike us, God speaks and lets us speak...

He doesn't resent our words, but helps us to know him better. In this verse we see that Job was able to get to know God more intimately after what he had been through. God reminded him that his ways are not always understandable to men. He doesn't always give us a full explanation as to why bad things happen to good people. All you need to remember is that He is the all-powerful Creator, sustainer of everything and everyone. Trust in the Lord!

  • Pray and ask the Lord for help so that you can get to know Him better through adversity.
  • Allow God to speak to you through His Word - read more, study, reflect and practice!
  • Want to trust God, even if you don't understand everything He does.
  • Be honest with God, pray, cry out and deepen your relationship with Him.

Pray:

Lord God, I entrust all my pain and difficulties to you. May I not try to understand everything that happens to me, but may I quieten my heart and trust in you. I pray life's experiences, whether good or bad, all lead me closer to you. Help me to know you more, not just by hearing about you, but by walking with you. In Jesus' name, amen!

Yesterday's Devotional

Overcoming resentment and hurt

Resentment is a negative, almost hateful, reaction to deep disappointment or hurt. A resentful person allows a painful experience to influence every area of life, even affecting how they relate to others in the present. Resentment is always tied to something unresolved in the past.

Living with resentment is living weighed down, and God does not want you to live that way:

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
- Matthew 11:28–30

The Christian life is not sailing on a “bed of roses”; on the contrary, it is sailing on the open sea. The difference is that Christ is in our boat and that makes all the difference. We go through storms, tempestuous winds, great waves, disappointments… we go through them, but we overcome!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–5

Only the love of God enables us to overcome hurt, pushing us toward a future filled with hope. Through the love of Jesus, we can forgive and ask for forgiveness, we can overcome traumas and throw out all the unnecessary weight from our boat. Do not hold on to resentment.

Problems may arise, storms may come, but with Christ we will cross safely through every challenge in life.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 3:13–14

Remove hurt and resentment from your boat!

• Do not feed resentment. It may seem obvious, but over time a small hurt becomes torment.
• Keeping the boat clean takes effort. Ask for forgiveness and forgive those who hurt you. This is the best way to stay light.
• Ask God to search your heart. Only He can heal deep wounds and restore a hurting heart.

Prayer:

Lord, remove hurt and resentment from me and relieve my soul. Cleanse my heart and mind through Your Spirit, filling me with Your peace. I want to move forward, leaving behind everything that immobilizes me. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Suggested reading: Prayers to Calm the Heart, For Peace and Tranquility

Day Before Yesterday's Devotional

The role of trials

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2-3

Often, we feel scared, weakened, and even lost, without understanding the purpose of trials in life. But it's precisely in these moments that our faith must rise, leaning on the greatness of the Lord Jesus, who supports us through all trials.

Trials, among many meanings, have an educational role in the lives of Christians. They teach us to depend solely and exclusively on our Heavenly Father. They also help us see how great God is, how fragile we are, and how much we need to change. These experiences of faith point upward and to inner struggles we face in real-life situations, as in a real test of our sincerity and love for God.

Persevering through trials:

  • Rejoice in God. It may seem difficult, but your joy will strengthen you in the battles.
  • Overcoming trials produces perseverance. Stand firm and do not be discouraged!
  • Read and internalize the Word of God, make it your daily sustenance.
  • Pray, ask for Christ's help in trials. The Lord is with you always!
  • Your faith will be confirmed if it is rooted in the Lord Jesus. Trust with all your heart.

Let's Pray:

Lord our God, please help me remain steadfast in the midst of life's trials . Though many challenges may be difficult, Father, let them not shake my faith and hope, but instead, strengthen them in Christ. May Your name be glorified in my life, today and always. Amen.

See also:

What is the Daily Devotional

The Daily Devotional is a special moment of your day that you dedicate to having a precious time of intimacy with God. It is very simple to establish an exciting routine of discovery and spiritual growth. You will achieve this by setting aside a moment each day to draw near to the Lord. During the Devotional, you will read a Bible verse with a meditation on the text. Then, you will meditate on the teachings and how to apply them in your life. In the end, you can pray.

How to do your Daily Devotional

Here are some tips for making the most of reading the Bible message during the Daily Devotional:

  1. Set aside a moment and choose a specific place: your devotional time will be more beneficial if you set aside the hustle and bustle and invest in a pleasant time alone with God.
  2. Read the verse or Bible passage attentively: develop a lifestyle committed to the Word of God every day and avoid distractions.
  3. Read the daily meditation: reflect and try to understand God's purpose for your life through the comments.
  4. Practical application: jot down your findings and don't forget to put into practice everything you have learned through the Bible.
  5. Share what you learned: try to share with people around what God has been teaching you in your moments of daily devotion as you go about your daily conversations and interactions.

Don't forget the importance of living a life fully committed to the Word of God!

See also: