Have you ever had a difficult or confusing experience in which your faith was tested? In Genesis chapter 22, we read that God asked a great hero of our faith, Abraham, to do the unimaginable—offer up his long-awaited son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. At first glance, it seems difficult to reconcile this request with what we know about the Lord’s character. How could a God who is entirely holy, upright, loving, and good ask such…
Read MoreIn July of 2002, nine men found themselves in a dire situation—trapped hundreds of feet below ground in a flooded mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. They were imprisoned there in the darkness for over 77 hours before being miraculously rescued, a story that gained widespread media attention and public interest. It’s difficult to fathom the undulating waves of hope and despair they must have endured in those days spent huddled within the earth—and the immense…
Read MoreJames 1:2-4 What hardships are you facing today? Perhaps you’re navigating heartache, divorce, sickness, loss, financial strain, or any other of the many difficulties that we encounter in our lives. While challenges of all sorts are unavoidable, the Word of God is rich in wisdom that can guide us every season. So, what should we do during seasons of hardship? In James chapter 1, the Apostle James answered that question when he wrote, “Consider it…
Read MorePsalm 121 How much time do you spend looking at a screen each day? Living in the digital era—in which we are often held captive by our smartphones, laptops, and the like—it can be easy to forget to pause, take a deep breath, and simply look up! In Psalm 121, the psalmist began a moving song of worship with the declaration, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains” (verse 1). The remainder of the…
Read MoreIsaiah 40:29-31 Do you find yourself facing one of life’s storms today? While hardships are inevitable, Scripture provides a wonderful encouragement: in the Lord, there is strength to overcome any storm. Isaiah 40:29-31 reads: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings…
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