Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 1

HUMAN HEROES MAKE US LONG FOR A TRUE SAVIOR

From: May 1, 2025

“And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him” (Judges 13:24 ESV).

Samson was born under extraordinary circumstances. His birth was announced by the Angel of the Lord, his parents obeyed God’s instructions with faith and devotion, and the Lord Himself blessed the child as he grew. Everything about Samson’s beginning sparks hope. As some have said, he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth—a divinely appointed judge, set apart from birth. In fact, the book of Judges devotes more attention to Samson than to any other judge.

But despite his promising start, Samson’s life is marked more by failure than by faithfulness. Unlike other “miracle baby” stories in Scripture—like Isaac, Samuel, John the Baptist, or Jesus—Samson’s story doesn’t culminate in lasting deliverance or spiritual revival. Instead, his life reminds us of the limitations of even the strongest human heroes.

Samson’s life teaches us that no earthly deliverer, no matter how gifted or blessed, can bring the ultimate salvation we need. His story awakens in us a longing for a true Savior—one who will never fall short, never give in to sin, and never fail His people. That Savior is Jesus Christ.

Jesus, unlike Samson, never disappointed. He too was announced by an angel and born under divine circumstances, yet Jesus lived in perfect obedience, conquered sin and death, and secured eternal salvation for all who believe. Every flawed judge in the Book of Judges points us forward to Him. For He is the flawless Judge, the true Deliverer. In Christ alone, our hope is secure.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for Jesus, the perfect Savior who never fails. Where human leaders fall short, He stands faithful. In Him we find the joy, peace, and hope our hearts truly need. Forgive us for the times we look to others—or even ourselves—for what only Christ can provide. Help us today to live in a way that reflects His love and grace. Strengthen us by Your Spirit so that we may not disappoint, but walk in a manner pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HOW WELL DID JOHN KNOW JESUS?

From: May 1, 2024

“I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:31 ESV).

John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins born six months apart. Both births were miraculous, foretold by the prophets and announced by the angel Gabriel. Yet, John said that he “did not know” Jesus as the Messiah until after His baptism. Some suggest that since John grew up in Hebron and Jesus in Nazareth, they had never met before. But this seems unlikely. Mary and Elizabeth were apparently close before their sons were born, but they were no doubt bound together even closer after the spiritual experience they had together during their pregnancies (See Luke 1:39-56). In addition, the gospel of Matthew reported that John recognized Jesus before His baptism and felt unworthy to baptize Him (Matt. 3:14).

So what did John mean by saying he didn’t “know” Jesus, if he already knew Him and already considered Him to be greater than himself? Perhaps John did recognize Jesus as his cousin, and as one who was well known in their families as being announced as the long awaited Messiah. But that was thirty years ago and John had seen no confirmation as of yet. So, it was on the day of Christ’s baptism that the Lord spoke to John and revealed to him that Jesus was indeed the Messiah by the appearance of the Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus. What his mother, Elizabeth, had told him was true. Jesus was the Messiah. John finally saw Him with spiritual eyes and proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Messiah, as he had been born to do.

Most of us grow up hearing about Jesus and we know about him. But do we really “know” him? For this is the most important question that everyone of us must answer. Do you “know” Jesus? Do you recognize him as Lord and Savior, as the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that You have revealed Jesus to us. That You have opened our spiritual eyes and ears that we might truly “know” Him! Strengthen us this day by Your Spirit that we might follow Him and obey Him in all things. In Jesus’ name, amen.

HUMAN SAVIORS DISAPPOINT BUT JESUS NEVER DOES

From: May 1, 2023

“When her son was born, she named him Samson. And the Lord blessed him as he grew up” (Judges 13:24 NLT).

As one preacher described it, Samson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As chapter thirteen concludes, we have great hope in Samson’s future. Announced by an angel, the only child of faithful and doting parents, and blessed by God, the writer of the Book of Judges has more to say about Samson than any other judge. Yet, Samson disappoints. While his beginning sounds similar to other promised child stories in the Bible (i.e. “Isaac, Samuel, John the Baptist, Jesus”), his life only serves to intensify our longing for a true savior.

The life of Samson reminds us that no human judge or deliverer can truly save. The life of Samson, intensifies our longing for a true hero, a real champion. His life points us to Christ. And Jesus never disappoints. Christ Jesus exceeds all our expectations.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give thanks for Jesus. He never disappoints us. He always exceeds our expectations. In Him, is unconquerable joy and perfect peace. He is the One who calms life’s storms and teaches us not to fear. We have received forgiveness of sin and eternal life through faith in Him. Strengthen us this day so that we do not disappoint. For we want our lives to be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Lord, hear my prayer! Listen to my plea! Don’t turn away from me in my time of distress” (Psalm 102:1-2 NLT).

From: May 1, 2022

A PRAYER FOR ONE OVERWHELMED WITH TROUBLE

The inscription above this psalm describes it as a “prayer of one overwhelmed with trouble.” Certainly, there is a need for concrete language to truly capture the condition of such a one. The hurting are in need of words of expression that they might lift up to the Lord a prayer that can only be called a “cry.” For they often feel as an infant, able only to cry out, but not to explain why.

When we describe our physical state, a whole vocabulary is available, but to describe our internal condition–– the state of our souls–– we must grasp at metaphors to illustrate our feeling. In this, the psalmist gives aid. He says that his “days are consumed like smoke,” his “heart is stricken and withered,” and his appetite is forgotten.

Why pray such words? Why not just deny our inner turmoil and focus on God?

Why? Because our depression and discouragement are as real as physical pain. Denial does not bring healing. Admit your feeling to the Lord. Pray the psalms. Make them your own. There are 150 of them. There is one that will help you describe your heart condition today. Let the words of the psalms give meaning to your soul’s cry.

And know that the One who cried out in Gethsemane, and drank from the bitter cup at Golgotha, will certainly hear and understand.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for listening to our soul’s cry. For we can share our deepest thoughts and feelings with You. And thank You that we have an Advocate named Jesus who understands us and intercedes for us. Heal our soul’s afflictions and help us focus our eyes on You in hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“So the woman gave birth to a son and named him Samson. The boy grew, and the Lord blessed him” (Judges 13:24 HCSB).

From: May 1, 2021

JESUS NEVER DISAPPOINTS

As one preacher described it, Samson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As chapter thirteen concludes, we have great hope in Samson’s future. Announced by an angel, the only child of faithful and doting parents, and blessed by God, the writer of the Book of Judges has more to say about Samson than any other judge. Yet, Samson disappoints. While his beginning sounds similar to other promised child stories in the Bible (i.e. “Isaac, Samuel, John the Baptist, Jesus”), his life only serves to intensify our longing for a true savior.

The life of Samson reminds us that no human judge or deliverer can truly save. The life of Samson, intensifies our longing for a true hero, a real champion. His life points us to Christ. And Jesus never disappoints. Christ Jesus exceeds all our expectations

PRAYER: Dear Father, we give thanks for Jesus. He never disappoints us. He always exceeds our expectations. In Him, is unconquerable joy and perfect peace. He is the One who calms life’s storms and teaches us not to fear. We have received forgiveness of sin and eternal life through faith in Him. Strengthen us this day so that we do not disappoint. For we want our lives to be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come to You. Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble…” (Psalm 102:1-2a NKJV).

From: May 1, 2020

A PRAYER FOR THE AFFLICTED WHEN OVERWHELMED

The inscription above this psalm describes it as a “prayer of the afflicted when he is overwhelmed.” Certainly, there is a need for concrete language to truly capture the condition of the afflicted. The hurting are in need of words of expression that they might lift up to the Lord a prayer that can only be called a “cry.” For they often feel as an infant, able only to cry out, but not to explain why.

When we describe our physical state, a whole vocabulary is available, but to describe our internal condition–– the state of our souls–– we must grasp at metaphors to illustrate our feeling. In this, the psalmist gives aid. He says that his “days are consumed like smoke,” his “heart is stricken and withered,” and his appetite is forgotten.

Why pray such words? Why not just deny our inner turmoil and focus on God?

Why? Because our depression and discouragement are as real as physical pain. Denial does not bring healing. Admit your feeling to the Lord. Pray the psalms. Make them your own. There are 150 of them. There is one that will help you describe your heart condition today. Let the words of the psalms give meaning to your soul’s cry.

And know that the One who cried out in Gethsemane, and drank from the bitter cup at Golgotha, will certainly hear and understand.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for listening to our soul’s cry. For we can share our deepest thoughts and feelings with You. And thank You that we have an Advocate named Jesus who understand us and intercedes for us. Heal our soul’s afflictions and help us focus our eyes on You in hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.” (John 1:31 NLT).

From: May 1, 2018

HOW WELL DID JOHN KNOW JESUS?

John the Baptist and Jesus were cousins born six months apart. Both births were miraculous, foretold by the prophets and announced by the angel Gabriel. Yet, John said that he “did not recognize” Jesus as the Messiah until after His baptism. Some suggest that since John grew up in Hebron and Jesus in Nazareth, they had never met before. But this seems unlikely. Mary and Elizabeth were apparently close before their sons were born, but they were no doubt bound together even closer after the spiritual experience they had together during their pregnancies (See Luke 1:39-56). In addition, the gospel of Matthew reported that John recognized Jesus before His baptism and felt unworthy to baptize Him (Matt. 3:14).

So what did John mean by saying he didn’t “recognize” Jesus, if he already knew Him and already considered Him to be greater than himself? Perhaps John did recognize Jesus as his cousin, and as one who was well known in their families as being announced as the long awaited Messiah. But that was thirty years ago and John had seen no confirmation as of yet. So, it was on the day of Christ’s baptism that the Lord spoke to John and revealed to him that Jesus was indeed the Messiah by the appearance of the Spirit descending like a dove upon Jesus. What his mother, Elizabeth, had told him, was true. Jesus was the Messiah. John finally saw Him with spiritual eyes and proclaimed Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Messiah, as he had been born to do.

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, And let my cry come to You” (Psalm 102:1 NKJV).

From: May 1, 2017

The inscription above this psalm describes it as a “prayer of the afflicted.” Certainly, there is a need for concrete language to truly capture the condition of the afflicted. The hurting are in need of words of expression that they might lift up to the Lord a prayer that can only be called a “cry.” For they often feel as an infant, able only to cry out, but not to explain why.

When we describe our physical state, a whole vocabulary is available, but to describe our internal condition— the state of our souls— we must grasp at metaphors to illustrate our feeling. In this, the psalmist gives aid. He says that his “days are consumed like smoke,” his “heart is stricken and withered,” and his appetite is forgotten.

Why pray such words? Why not just deny our inner turmoil and focus on God?

Why? Because our depression and discouragement are as real as physical pain. Denial does not bring healing. Admit your feeling to the Lord. Pray the psalms. Make them your own. There are 150 of them. There is one that will help you describe your heart condition today. Let the words of the psalms give meaning to your soul’s cry. And know that the One who cried out in Gethsemane, and drank from the bitter cup at Golgotha, will certainly hear and understand.

“And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him” (Judges 13:24 ESV)

From: May 1, 2016

As one preacher described it, Samson was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. As chapter 13 concludes, we have great hope in Samson’s future. Announced by an angel, the only child of faithful and doting parents, and blessed by God, the writer of the Book of Judges has more to say about Samson than any other judge. Yet, Samson disappoints. While his beginning sounds similar to other promised child stories in the Bible (i.e. “Isaac, Samuel, John the Baptist, Jesus”), his life only serves to intensify our longing for a true savior. The life of Samson reminds us that no human judge or deliverer can truly save. The life of Samson, intensifies our longing for a true hero, a real champion. His life points us to Christ. And Christ does not disappoint.

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NKJV)

From: May 1, 2015

John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus to be the “Lamb of God,” a fulfillment long anticipated by God’s people. Every Paschal lamb that was slain with its blood spread over the doorway, not only brought to their remembrance God’s deliverance from Egypt, but pointed to a future promise of their ultimate rescue from sin and death. As Abraham told his son, Isaac, “God will provide a lamb.” And so, He did. There is no more need for sacrifice. Christ’s sacrifice was the deposit that made all the previous ones good. We are now able to place our faith into the One who paid it all. Jesus is the Lamb of God, the One who delivers those who believe from sin and death.