Romans 5:1 “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (NKJV)
Devotion by Merry Peterson (Canada)
In the part of Ontario where I live there is a museum called ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not’. Inside there are lots of strange and unusual items and displays about occurrences that are most, well, quite frankly unusual! The sign says it all – believe it – or not. Some things in that museum I find really hard to believe.
Faith is really about belief. Our belief that God is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will do. That’s the tenet of having faith – those beliefs about God. His existence as the supreme ruler of the universe and that His declarations of what He will do He follows through on.
In the previous chapter we see that Abraham was justified by his faith even though the whole salvation plan through Jesus dying on the cross for our justification hadn’t happened yet in his time. It was Abraham’s belief that God was in control and able to do what He said He would do that brought him justification.
We as Christians have received justification through Christ’s sacrifice because we live in a different time frame than Abraham. Christ, the promised savior that God declared would become the sacrifice for sin has indeed died, and risen again, and our justification comes through that fulfilled promise.
Notice that the fulfilled promise brings peace. We have peace with God through Christ. We have peace knowing that our sin is covered by Jesus’ blood, that we are no longer God’s enemies because of our sin. The blood of Christ washes away the debt of our sin. We become in good standing with God. How is this achieved – by our belief that God is in control and follows through on his promises. He said that Jesus would be the once for all atoning sacrifice for mankind bringing us justification with Himself. We believe it!
For Reflection:
Do you have friends or family members who have a hard time with faith?
When did you first start to have faith and believe?
Was there something or someone who helped you truly believe?
Are there ways that you could help guide another person to belief?
We spent yesterday with Haggai urging the Israelites to obey God with a pure heart and focus on His coming Kingdom. Zechariah, another minor prophet, does something similar, encouraging the Israelites to rebuild the temple.
Here again, the Israelites are discouraged. Zechariah challenges them to not be like their ancestors, rebellious and disobedient. He reminds them that if they turn back to God, He will be with them. “Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.” (Zech. 1:3)
Zechariah has a series of God-brought nighttime visions, solidifying His promises to restore and protect His people and the city of Jerusalem, and to bring the promise of the Messiah to fruition.
Today, visions and dreams from God are far less common, or even do not occur at all, depending on one’s interpretation of the Word. We can’t expect God to give us clear visions while we sleep, but what we can do is remember that He left us his Word, which is 66 books of His goodness, His plans and His promises. Within these pages you’ll find the assurance that God is with us, that He promises to never leave us. He urges us to return to Him, and there we will find Him. Just like Zechariah encouraged the Israelites, so God encourages us.
Reflection Questions:
Have you ever experienced a vision? Or, recall a time when Scripture spoke to you so strongly that it was as a vision.
Has there been a time in your life where you rebelled or were disobedient? What happened when you returned back to God?
What is your favorite promise from God? Reflect on that today.
These chapters are a crescendo of God’s redemptive plan. From the confession of sin in Isaiah 59 to the celebration of salvation in Isaiah 63, we see a God who refuses to leave His people in darkness. Though judgment is real and sin has separated people from Him, God promises to act, not because His people are worthy, but because He is faithful.
Isaiah 59 opens with a hard truth: the problem is not that God is distant, but that sin separates us from Him. Yet God does not abandon His people. In verses 15–20, He looks and sees there is no one to intercede, so He promises to send a savior who will put on righteousness like armor and salvation like a helmet. This is a clear prophetic picture of Jesus, the Redeemer, who comes to Zion and turns hearts from transgression.
Isaiah 60:1 is stated as an enthusiastic command: “Arise, shine, for your light has come!”
God promises a day when His glory will shine on His people, even though darkness covers the earth. This is not merely for dramatic effect, it is the fulfillment of God’s plan to make His people a light to the nations. In Christ, this light has come, and now we are called to shine with His glory!
Isaiah 61 contains one of the most beautiful promises in all of Scripture, the mission of the coming Messiah:
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor…” (Isaiah 61:1)
Jesus quoted this very passage in Luke 4 and said, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” God promises comfort, freedom, healing, and restoration. He trades ashes for beauty, mourning for joy, and despair for praise.
God is not content to redeem, He delights to rejoice over His people. In Isaiah 62:4 He says, “You will be called Hephzibah (My delight is in her), and your land Beulah (married).” No longer forsaken, no longer desolate, God’s people will be treasured, honored, and watched over like a crown in His hand.
God shows up as a mighty warrior, executing justice and salvation in Isaiah 63. He judges evil but also remembers mercy. In verses 7-9, the prophet recalls God’s faithful love and how He personally rescued and carried His people, to magnify His name in the world. His promises are not cold declarations, they are acts of compassion, flowing from His heart.
God’s promises are not vague hopes, they are guaranteed realities. When sin separates, He comes to redeem. When darkness falls, His glory rises. When the broken cry out, He binds their wounds. And when His people forget, He remembers. He is the God who keeps His covenants forever.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that You are the God who keeps Your promises. When I am weak, You fight for me. When I am broken, You heal. When I am in darkness, You shine. Help me trust Your Word, live in Your truth, and walk in the light of Your glory. In your son Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Questions:
• Where do you struggle to put your trust in God?
• How have you grieved God’s Holy Spirit & have you repented, turned from sin, and gratefully accepted restoration?
• How has God’s light shone through you, in the midst of darkness?
• Are you walking in the identity and mission God has given you?
Jan 2, 2025 – Day 2 of the SeekGrowLove 2025 Chronological Bible Reading Plan
Just a few months ago, my family and I found ourselves in the path of Hurricane Helene. While the storm left widespread devastation, we were fortunate to remain safe, experiencing minimal damage, and counting our blessings. However, like millions of others in our region, we found ourselves without power. Looking back now, I can’t remember exactly how many days we spent unplugged (although I most certainly knew the number at that time with every passing day) As I witnessed the unprecedented number of power trucks traveling in every direction, I most assuredly knew the power would be restored, it was just a matter of time.
You better believe that Noah had hash marks on the side of the ark. Noah knew beforehand how many days it would rain, but he didn’t know how long he would be making his home with a boatload of animals. On day 41, he saw with his own eyes the Word of God fulfilled, for He had completed an unprecedented thing. So Noah waited, holding onto hope that God would provide a way to get off the ark.
Noah’s enduring faith, to build the boat, to endure the storm, and to hang onto the promise, show the beautiful exchange of God’s grace and protection when we trust and hold onto hope. Noah found favor in God’s sight, but we can declare this to the world: through Christ, we too can experience the fullness of God’s grace. As we look to our Savior for this hope, we can emerge from the storms of life victorious. Through the flooding waters of baptism we are cleansed. But now, emerged from the flood, we wait.
There is still plenty of work to do. We do not twiddle our thumbs until the return of Jesus. Noah continued his calling to give life and care for his flocks, herds, and packs while awaiting the return of a dove. Like Noah, we have been given charge to continue the work of Jesus, giving hope to every nation. If we are awaiting the return of Christ, we are approaching two-thousand years into our tally, but we are sustained, knowing the promise of God is not fleeting or pending. It is fulfilled in its perfect time through Christ Jesus.
We would be crazy not to look to the horizon. The fact that we do shows that we have a founded longing and are aware of the signs. We see the birth pains that lead to the return of Jesus with resurrection power, so let us declare and defend to every nation that He is the reason for the hope we have.
-Aaron Winner
Reflection Questions
What have you waited for? While you were waiting what storms did you endure? What was the reason for your hope?
What do we learn from Genesis about Noah? What do we learn about God from the account of Noah?
How was Noah different from the rest of his generation? How can you be like Noah?
You can download and print the whole year’s Chronological Bible Reading Plan in a compact 1 page booklet form:
What are you tempted to do when things get bad? Especially in the USA right now, it seems like everyone is divided, the country is full of anger, and Christianity is on the decline. What’s going on? Is there any hope?
Looking through Scripture, we can find examples of difficult times for the people of God. Jeremiah chapter 3 is one such example. In the beginning of the chapter, God talks again and again about how corrupt and faithless the people of Israel and Judah have been. God uses the language of divorce, sexual immorality, and idolatry to describe the past mistakes of Israel and the current status for Judah. The problems were obvious. The solution also seemed obvious — return to the Lord. And not only did God declare that this was the right answer — He actively called for His people to return to Him.
But what did the people do?
Reading the rest of the book of Jeremiah, we know that they did not return to the true worship of Yahweh, at least before the exile.
Nevertheless, the middle of Jeremiah 3 should catch our attention. The story does not end with the faithlessness, corruption, and sin.
Jeremiah 3:15-18 (ESV)
15 “‘And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
16 And when you have multiplied and been fruitful in the land, in those days, declares the LORD, they shall no more say, “The ark of the covenant of the LORD.” It shall not come to mind or be remembered or missed; it shall not be made again.
17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the LORD, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart.
18 In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage.
The story ends with the goodness of God. No matter what, God will send good shepherds, most importantly the Good Shepherd, Jesus. All nations will come to worship God in the holy city of Jerusalem. The people of God will be reunited again. This is a kingdom promise, a kingdom promise located in the darkest period of the history of the people of God.
Friends, that is our lesson for today: no matter how dark the world gets, no matter how hopeless our future seems, the kingdom is coming. The King is returning.
Instead of focusing on the darkness around us and the turmoil (war, politics, etc.), let’s focus on God and on the hope we have for the future. And let’s share that with others, too.
-Will Barlow
Reflection Questions
Self assessment: how are you feeling with all that is going on in the world today?
What can you do to be a brighter light in the midst of this darkness?
How can you stay anchored in the hope of the return of Jesus while also paying appropriate attention to the things of the world?
What can your God do? Is there anything He can not do? In our Bible readings today we get a glimpse into how a few different people might have answered those questions.
Let’s look at Job 12 first. Job is replying to his friend Zophar who just suggested that since God is great and right and true and since Job is suffering, that must mean that Job is deceitful, evil, or witless (or all three) and is being punished. Job is ready with a quick reply. Do his friends think “wisdom will die with you?” (vs. 1). He certainly still has some spirit left in him.
Most of this chapter Job is giving credit to God for what God can and has and will do:
– giving life and breath to every creature and all mankind (vs 10)
– owning wisdom and power, counsel and understanding (vs 12)
– controlling the waters with drought or flood (vs 15)
– holding strength and victory (vs 16)
– overthrowing men long established – even judges, kings and priests (vs 17-19)
– reveals the deep things of darkness (vs 22)
– makes nations great, and destroys them (vs 23)
– deprives the leaders of the earth of their reason (vs 24) – hmm – interesting
Job is agreeing with his friends on the greatness of God! No one can come anywhere close to comparing to what God is and what He can do. No human wisdom, strength, plans, or power can successfully stand against Him. When God wants to bring them down, He can and He has and He will! He can make them rise. He can make them fall.
Oh, if only the 10 scared spies knew that lesson from Job! How might their lives – and the lives of ALL of the Israelites who listened to them – have been different. In Numbers 13 we see Moses following God’s direction to send out 12 men (one from each tribe) to look over Canaan land which God had promised long ago to Abraham’s descendants. The twelve found the land just as wonderful as God had promised – flowing with milk and honey, huge clusters of grapes, bountiful harvests. It must have looked pretty amazing as they had just spent a couple years in the wilderness mostly surviving on God’s manna and quail – which were also true signs of God’s miraculous provision – but ones they had become accustomed to and now took for granted.
But rather than believing God for the promise and remembering how He had bested the powerful Egyptians, they shrunk back in fear. They knew on their own they were no match for the strength and size of all the people who already lived in the land. But they forgot what God could do. They forgot how God had already gotten them this far. They forgot what was most important to remember! They forgot what their God can do!
-Marcia Railton
Reflection Question
What have you seen God do for others? What have you seen God do for you? What promises do you believe God will indeed accomplish?
When you feel like a grasshopper up against a giant, what can you remember about your God? What can He do?
How does your view of what He can do change what you do?
Who have you told what God can and has and will do? Who else can you tell?
Jumping into our Old Testament reading today of Genesis 27-28, we find ourselves among a muddy set of characters. Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, and Esau are quite the dysfunctional family in a lot of ways. As a kid I heard the story of Jacob and Esau many times, and I remember coming home from Sunday School one week quite indignant as to why the “liar” got the blessing. That just didn’t make sense to my immature brain which was picking up information from stories in isolation, and in many ways, is still working on weaving them all together. Jacob and his manipulative mother had stood out to me as being the “bad guys” in the story since they were busy lying, sneaking around, wearing hairy disguises, whipping up really good goat stews that just might taste like something Esau’s hunting could have contributed to, and yet somehow, they got away with it. What good Sunday school teacher would have the moral of the story be “lie, cheat, and steal and you’ll be blessed”?
Now when I read this story, I realize….it’s kinda like war. Ultimately, like most stories of human beings, all of the characters are wrong in different ways at different times and full of mistakes. In this case, at times they were all conniving and trusting in themselves to fix problems versus trusting God wholly and His sovereign plan. While Rebekah had been told the older would serve the younger, she certainly hadn’t been told to take matters in her own hands and assume she had to be manipulative and conniving to achieve what God himself had already told her was going to happen. Nor had Jacob been instructed to trick and lie to his father. And Esau certainly was not just an innocent victim with his misplaced priorities like bowls of red stew and pagan wives. Interestingly, according to commentaries, Isaac lived 40 more years after giving the blessing to Jacob. I always pictured him on his deathbed in this story, but apparently he had another 40 years to see what unfolded!
God had a plan, a promise, a land and blessings to give, despite this family’s actions, not because of them. The story of this imperfect crew in Genesis 27-28 falls after Abraham has died. They are descendants of the promises given to Abraham already, and in Chapter 28, Jacob hears those promises reiterated again to him personally. As promised, not because his costume was really good and his lying skills were top notch, Jacob’s descendants are bountiful, and form the biological lineage of King David and our Messiah, Jesus. Genesis in fact, is a book full of beautiful promises, and not just promises found in interesting tales of old, full of characters who like red stew. They are full of incredibly relevant promises for any Christian today, and are absolutely central to the gospel message. For that matter, these passages are also very relevant to current events today and a land that we must trust to God’s sovereign plan. He doesn’t need our plotting, manipulating, and worrying. Not only that, He doesn’t want them. God alone knows the who, what, when, where, why, and how of it all. Jesus will return. The meek will inherit the earth.
In trying to come up with an analogy for the importance of the promises of Genesis in relationship to the gospel, and how they impact what we live for, hope in, and are sustained by, I realized Anthony Buzzard, a faithful teacher of the Abrahamic faith, had already done it for me. In an article I ran across recently in his Focus on the Kingdom magazine, I found comfort and inspiration in his golden thread description:
Underlying the entire Bible story, running like a golden thread through Scripture, is the promise made to Abraham that he would receive, as a reward for his obedience to God’s call to leave Ur of the Chaldees, prosperity, progeny, and property. This amazing, divinely promised guarantee of success, which Christians are invited to share as spiritual children of Abraham, is summed up in the compact phrase “the blessing of Abraham.” This beautiful and memorable phrase is found only twice in Scripture, in Galatians 3:14 and Genesis 28:4. This provides the essential link between the two Testaments.
The article, The Land Promise to Abraham and His Descendants: The Key to the Whole Bible Plot, can be read here.
May He also give you the blessing of Abraham, to you and to your descendants with you, so that you may possess the land where you live as a stranger, which God gave to Abraham.
Does life ever seem unfair? Why does it seem like the people who are trying their hardest to do the “right thing” often face the greatest difficulties? Is it worth it to continue on the path you’re following, when it seems like you can never get ahead?
My wife and I had to ask ourselves these questions a couple years ago, as we were faced with the possibility of never having children of our own. We watched multiple individuals who were having child after child and living in very sinful conditions, and yet, we had been going to church faithfully, giving financially to God’s ministries, and trying our hardest to be holy. “Why should they be parents and not us?” Everything seemed unfair and out of order, and we had a very difficult time answering these questions honestly. Our faith and trust in God wavered sometimes, questioning why things are the way that they are.
Some of you may have felt this way too in your own way. “Everyone else seems to be successful except for me: why is God not blessing my efforts?” Thankfully, these questions are not new, but are ancient; we see them asked by the author of Psalm 10. He is calling for God to answer the questions we are asking today, about why the wicked seem to prosper when God’s people are suffering. What is amazing about this Psalm is that God doesn’t answer the author: he comes to his senses on his own, resting in the truth that God is King forever and will eventually take care of His people forever (verse 16-18). Knowing this truth about who our God is leads us out of the darkness of doubt, and into the glory of rest in His promises.
Brothers and sisters, this life was never meant to be “fair”; you will suffer, struggle, and feel like God isn’t listening to you. However, Jesus went through much worse than we can imagine, and God vindicated him by raising him from the dead (1 Peter 2:21-25). We were called to follow his example in suffering for good, but will eventually receive the reward of eternal life when he returns, just like he did. Although there are difficulties now, they cannot compare with the glory that’s to come in God’s Kingdom (Romans 8:18). If you are having a rough time right now, find some peace in knowing that Jesus understands your struggle and God will reward you in the end for your steadfast patience. Don’t give up; things are going to get better.
-Talon Paul
Reflection Questions
When have you struggled with an unfair life and perhaps doubted God’s goodness and power?
When that happens how can we be reminded of God’s promises?
“For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” –Isaiah 45:18 (ESV)
Isaiah 45 begins, “Thus says the LORD…”. This is repeated in verses 11, 14, & 18. This phrase speaks of confidence and certainty; God has spoken and He only says what is true. In verses 6, 18, 21, & 22 God says, “I am the LORD, and there is no other”. In this chapter of Isaiah God speaks and He tells us how all-powerful He is and that there is none like Him.
In chapter 46, verse 5 God asks the question, “To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be alike? He speaks of the worthlessness of idols and then says, in verses 8-11, Remember this and stand firm… for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me… declaring the end from the beginning… My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose… I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it.
There just aren’t words big enough to describe our awe of God. I checked the thesaurus: awesome, incredible, spectacular, astonishing, stunning, amazing, magnificent, wondrous, majestic. Our God, my God, your God, speaks to us and will accomplish what He says he will do. He has a purpose and He will complete it. We can rely on that without doubt. I encourage you to take some time and read some of God’s promises and bask in the fact that each one already has or will happen. You can start with Isaiah 45:22-23 “Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. By myself I have sworn; from my mouth has gone out in righteousness a word that shall not return: ‘To me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance”
These chapters fill me with hope and confidence in our almighty God. Let me leave you with a beautiful image from Isaiah 45:8 “Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the clouds rain down righteousness; let the earth open, that salvation and righteousness may bear fruit; let the earth cause them both to sprout; I the Lord have created it.”
Amy Blanchard
Since there aren’t any words that can adequately describe God – His power, His supremeness, how absolutely we can trust him – sit for a minute (preferably longer) and feel. I know that sounds odd, but try it.
God speaking for two chapters on how He is the greatest and only perfect One and how He WILL succeed gives me chills. I like action movies – you know, the ones where the good guys win (American movies). There is always a specific moment, whether it’s a line, a visual cue, or the background music changes when you know “it’s done”, the good guys are going to win. Picture the “cavalry coming over the hill” scene in so many movies. One is in Avengers: Endgame (spoiler alert). Just when Captain America is about to be defeated and overtaken by a huge army The Avengers assemble. They rescue him and save the world. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pFUP0HZwWM) When these scenes happen, you feel something – relief, power, joy. What do you feel when you read some of the passages from today’s chapters in Isaiah? (And just for fun – what are some of the differences between the Avengers scene and this passage in Isaiah?)
God created all of our emotions. Thank Him for them. What are you feeling today?
I try to always follow through on my word, but sometimes I forget, and other times the circumstances are out of my control. I teach 6th graders who are always quick (and annoyingly eager) to call me out on these times.
“You said I could go to the bathroom after the lesson.“ Sorry, I forgot. I can’t keep track of 130 students’ bladders.
“You said we’d have time to work on this assignment.“ Sorry, somebody pulled the fire alarm and we’ve spent all class outside.
I’m fallible, so my word is fallible, too. But, God never forgets and every circumstance is within His control. He is infallible. Today’s proverb holds the promise that all God’s promises are true. It’s like God extending his pinky towards ours and locking it in an eternal pinky promise.
Every word of God proves true. (Proverbs 30:5a, ESV).
One man, Everett R. Storms, once counted 7,487 promises made by God to humankind. They. All. Prove. True. Of those 7,487, here are just a few promises to reflect on today:
God Promises Strength Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10, ESV)
God Promises to Fight For You The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent. (Exodus 14:14, ESV)
God Promises Wisdom If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5, ESV)
God Promises to Be With You When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2, ESV)
God Promises to Answer Prayer Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7, ESV)
God Promises Peace And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7, ESV)
God Promises Forgiveness If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9, ESV)
God Promises the Kingdom And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4, ESV)
-Mackenzie McClain
Reflection Questions:
How does knowing God’s promises change the way you approach your everyday life?
How have you experienced these promises in your own life?
What other promises does God make throughout scripture? Hint: there’s 7,479 more!
Seek Grow Love 