But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured in my bosom the words of his mouth. Job 23: 10-12, NRSV.  Merciful God and Father, it gives us a sense of well-being to know that You are always there when we need You, because You know the way that we take. As we study Your Word, please help us...

When the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying:  "They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance, and my wrath shall not be poured out on Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Nevertheless they shall be his servants, so that they may know the difference between serving me and serving the kingdoms of other lands." 2 Chronicles 12: 7, 8, NRSV.  Dear God, You exercise justice in all of Your dealings with the children of humankind! Oh, that we would follow You and be...

Lord, how they have increased that trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, "There is no help for him in God." Selah But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD;...

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8: 15, NRSV.  Our gracious, loving, Father, we are so thankful for the opportunity to...

Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the LORD under Eli the priest.  .  . So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.' " So Samuel went and lay down in his place.  The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel, Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening' " 2 Samuel 2: 11, NIV.  Holy God, we need a Word from You today. As parents, and in a special way, fathers want to hear Your voice loud and clear. In the...

Now Eli, who was very old, heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel . . . 1 Samuel 2: 22a, NIV. Gracious God, we are listening. Please speak to our hearts as we study Your holy Word. Amen. Today we are going to take a quick look at Eli, a father who did not do a very good job of raising his own two sons, Hophni and Phineas, but who did a wonderful job in helping to raise Samuel, Hannah and Elkanah's son! It would almost seem as if he had matured into fatherhood, by the time Samuel came on...

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." When they had done so he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, be not distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you . . . " Genesis 45: 4, 5, NIV.    Holy God, please teach us how to be good parents. Please bless our fathers in a very special way and help them to learn how, as they sit at Your feet. This we pray in the...

Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" So he said, "I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself." And He said, "Who told you that You were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?" Then the man said, "The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I ate." Genesis 3: 9-12, NKJV. Merciful God, we thank You for always being there to lift us when we...

But I have trusted in your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13: 5, 6, NKJV. Merciful God, as we bow before You, in the study of Your Word;  please teach us how to trust in Your salvation. In the name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen. God extends more mercy to His creatures than there are waves in the sea! His goodness is beyond our capacity to measure or understand. It is enduring, and everlasting, and it will outlast us. When we have come to...

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. Psalm 116: 7-9, NIV.   Gracious Father, we give You thanks and praise that the storm does not last forever; but after the storm comes the calm! May we abide under Your shadow forever and ever. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. I can truly borrow the words of the psalmist, for I have experienced...