From: July 10, 2025
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3–4 ESV).
David composed this psalm as a song of praise, likely inspired by a night under the stars. As he gazed at the moon and stars, he was overcome by the vastness and beauty of creation. The phrase “work of your fingers” is poetic and intimate, suggesting that the universe was handcrafted by God with personal precision. The context places God’s majesty “above the heavens” (v.1) and yet marvels that this majestic God is mindful of lowly mankind. The Hebrew for “mindful” (זָכַר, zakar) conveys active remembering, not passive awareness. The word “care” (פָּקַד, paqad) means to attend to, visit, or even intervene. David marveled that the transcendent Creator stoops to know and care for frail humanity. As the rest of the psalm explains, God crowned humanity with glory and gave dominion over creation, echoing Genesis 1. Yet this psalm ultimately points to Christ, the true Son of Man who fulfilled this role completely (see Hebrews 2:6–9). For the Lord God is both transcendent and immanent. He is omnipotent and holy, yet personal and present. The God who made everything cares for you.
Like David, we should pause to consider the heavens and reflect on the majesty of our God. When we feel insignificant or unseen, we can remember that the God who made galaxies is mindful of us. He has not only created us but has crowned us with dignity and purpose. Most of all, He has visited us in the person of Jesus Christ that we may know Him as our Father. Let us respond to His majesty with awe and to His mercy with thanksgiving.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You are vast beyond our comprehension, yet You care for us personally. Help us to live each day in awe of Your greatness and in gratitude for Your grace. Teach us to walk in the dignity and purpose You have given us in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 10, 2024
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 ESV).
This proverb contrasts the difference between having “many companions” and one close “friend.” For which is better? To have many fair weather companions who disappear at the first sign of trouble, or one true friend who sticks with you through thick and thin?
Such a friend is rare indeed, for he “sticks closer than a brother.” Jesus is such a friend. As He told his disciples, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus demonstrated this love when He died for us on the cross. Jesus shows us what it means to have a true friend.
O, what a Friend we have in Jesus!
PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given us our greatest and truest friend in Jesus. O how we love Him! For He has laid down His life for our salvation. Now strengthen us to obey His commandment that we love one another. Help us to offer His kind of friendship to a lost and lonely world. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 10, 2023
“For last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me, and he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Paul, for you will surely stand trial before Caesar! What’s more, God in his goodness has granted safety to everyone sailing with you.’ So take courage! For I believe God. It will be just as he said.” (Acts 27:23-25 NLT).
The ship taking Paul to Rome for his appeal to Caesar was caught up in a great storm and in danger of sinking. But God sent an angel to encourage Paul that although they would suffer shipwreck, no one on board would drown. All would be saved. Paul encouraged the others on the ship with the word the Lord had given him.
Paul’s three words are encouraging to consider:
1) “Take courage” – Put away fear and find courage in God.
2) “I believe God” – Declare your firm faith in God.
3) “It will be just as he said” – Declare your faith in God’s Word.
Remember these three encouraging words the next time you are facing one of life’s storms.
PRAYER: Lord, we believe in You. So we choose to be strong and courageous in You because You are always with us and never leave us. Help us also to encourage those around us with our firm faith in You and in Your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 10, 2022
NEITHER SAILOR, NOR SOLDIER, BUT SERVANT OF JESUS
When it appeared that Paul and the 276 people aboard the ship would survive the storm, he and his fellow prisoners were threatened by the soldiers. Yet, even in this, God protected Paul, giving him favor with the commanding officer. The storm, the sailors and the soldiers, all at different times, had threatened Paul’s life, but God intervened every time. Not only did Paul survive, but all 276 passengers did as well.
Many a ship and all aboard have lost their lives in lesser storms on the Mediterranean Sea, but God had called Paul to go to Rome, and to Rome he would go. The way Paul faced the storm and encouraged his fellow passengers, gave him a platform to preach the gospel to all with great credibility.
Paul was neither a sailor nor a soldier, but a servant of Jesus. And because of this, he was given authority to lead the entire ship to safety and offer them even more, namely, eternal life.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have been given power and authority by Your Son, Jesus. Help us to walk in this authority as we face life’s storms and the threats of others. Strengthen us to depend on Your power when ours is waning and gone. Give us influence so that every life in our circle hears the gospel and is saved. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: July 10, 2016
Paul’s status changed from prisoner to priest and from accused criminal to acting captain as everyone aboard the storm-driven ship began to listen to him. Although others may disregard our Christian testimony or even demean it, when storms come they often turn to the one who knows the Lord. This is what happened to Paul. Both the sailors and the soldiers were encouraged to hear his words.