Tag: Trust in God

Joy in Every CircumstanceBased on Acts 28:16-31

Paul’s time under house arrest in Rome paints a vivid picture of joy in the midst of adversity. Bound to a soldier, living on his own resources, and awaiting a trial that could end in his execution, Paul’s circumstances were far from ideal. Yet, rather than despairing, Paul seized the opportunity to preach the Gospel, teach visitors, and encourage believers through his letters.

Paul’s joy wasn’t dependent on his freedom or comfort. It flowed from his deep understanding of God’s sovereignty. When he first faced imprisonment, Jesus Himself assured Paul that he would testify in Rome (Acts 23:11). Now in Rome, Paul trusted that he was exactly where God wanted him to be.

This kind of joy is rooted in the conviction that God is working through every situation, even the ones that seem like setbacks. Paul’s house arrest allowed him to witness to Roman guards, welcome all who came to him, and write letters that continue to shape the Church today. His chains became tools for the Gospel.

We often struggle to see how our difficult circumstances fit into God’s plan. It’s easy to focus on what we lack or the obstacles in our path. But Paul’s example reminds us that God can use any situation for His purposes. The places where we feel stuck or constrained might be the very places God wants to work through us most powerfully.

What would it look like to trust that God has you where He needs you, right now? To find joy in knowing that even your struggles can serve His purposes? Perhaps it’s a challenging workplace, a difficult relationship, or a season of waiting. Wherever you are, God can use you to do what He has for you, just as He did with Paul.

Paul’s joy wasn’t denial of his hardships—it was a confident assurance that God’s plan was unfolding, even in his imprisonment. That same assurance is available to us. Let’s ask for the grace to see our circumstances through God’s eyes and the courage to serve Him faithfully, wherever we find ourselves.

What is Faith?

Faith is at the heart of salvation, as Paul makes clear in Romans 2–4. Abraham was justified by faith, not by works, so that salvation would be a gift of grace and not something earned (Romans 4:2–3). The picture Paul paints is that of absolute dependence on God, where even the smallest notion of taking credit for our salvation is absurd.

Think about it like this: In the movie Aladdin (1992), there’s a moment where Aladdin is drowning, and Genie, bound by the rules of magic, cannot save him unless Aladdin makes a wish. Aladdin, nearly unconscious, appears to nod his head, which Genie interprets as permission to act. Genie then rescues him. It would be laughable for Aladdin to boast afterward about saving himself. He played no active role in his own rescue; his faint acknowledgment was simply the condition through which the saving power of Genie could be applied.

Faith is like that. It is not a work or a contribution to salvation; it’s the means by which God’s grace is activated in our lives. Ephesians 2:8–9 underscores this: “For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast” (NET). Faith doesn’t earn salvation—it’s merely the channel through which grace flows. It’s as though God says, “Will you trust me to save you?” and our faith is the feeble nod that says, “Yes.”

Abraham’s story embodies this beautifully. When God promised him descendants as numerous as the stars, Abraham had no reason to believe based on his circumstances. His body was as good as dead, and Sarah’s womb was barren (Romans 4:19). Yet Abraham’s faith wasn’t about his ability to bring about the promise but about trusting that God would do what He said He would do (Romans 4:20–21). That’s what God counted as righteousness.

Here’s where this becomes a challenge for us. Do we have Abraham-like faith? Are we fully relying on God’s grace, or are we subtly trying to “help” God save us? Maybe we feel the need to perform, to prove ourselves worthy of His love. But true faith lays all of that down. It acknowledges our inability and rests entirely in His ability.

Faith isn’t about earning or even contributing to salvation. It’s about surrendering completely and trusting God to accomplish what we never could. Like Aladdin, who needed rescuing when he could do nothing to save himself, we nod our heads and trust in the One who lifts us from certain death into eternal life.

Real Justice

In the trials of Jesus, we witness a profound failure of justice. Jesus, innocent in every sense, is passed between leaders who recognize His innocence yet bow to the pressure of an angry mob. Human justice, whether in the hands of Pilate, Herod, or the Sanhedrin, fails Him utterly. Jesus stands silent before men who twist their authority, and in doing so, He knows intimately the depths of injustice that can plague our world. For anyone who has suffered from unfair treatment, false accusation, or a corrupt system, this moment in Jesus’ life reveals a Savior who has felt the same.

Despite the failings of human justice, Jesus’ response shows us a vital lesson: He didn’t place His hope in these earthly systems, and neither should we. Instead, He entrusted Himself to God, the ultimate Judge, who sees all things rightly and promises perfect justice. Jesus knew the Father’s justice was a surer foundation than any human court, and so He endured the trials set before Him, holding fast to the knowledge that God’s justice would ultimately prevail.

When we face injustice, it’s tempting to pin our hopes on human institutions, to believe that with enough advocacy, attention, or influence, things will be set right. But while we work to seek justice where we can, we’re reminded that ultimate justice belongs to God alone. Human systems, as important as they may be, will always have flaws and limitations. They are imperfect reflections of the justice that only God Himself can deliver.

In our lives, the challenge is to trust that God sees and knows our situation fully, even when justice seems delayed. Psalm 89:14 tells us, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.” This assurance means that no wrong will go unaddressed in God’s time and plan. He is the Judge who will not let evil win, who hears every cry, and who will make all things right. Until then, we are called to follow Jesus’ example, trusting God in our own experiences of injustice, keeping our eyes on the One whose justice is flawless.

Nothing to Lose: Building a Life of Sacrificial Trust

When Jesus watched the widow place two small coins in the temple treasury, He remarked that her offering was worth more than all the others. The wealthy were giving large sums, but it came from their abundance—they had enough left over that they wouldn’t miss what they gave. But this widow gave everything she had. Her gift, though small, was massive in its cost, and Jesus highlighted that her offering embodied true sacrificial trust.

This story challenges us to rethink how we give to God—not just financially but in every area of life. For those with financial security, giving can often become another line item, a “good thing” we do rather than an act that deeply stretches our faith. Sacrificial trust requires us to look beyond what is convenient or comfortable, pushing us to rely on God in ways that make us uncomfortable. So, if giving money isn’t stretching us, what can?

Building Trust in Practical Ways

To grow in sacrificial trust, we need to commit ourselves to practices that move us beyond our self-sufficiency and put us in a position where we need God to provide, guide, or sustain us. Here are some ways we can start intentionally cultivating this reliance on Him:

Prioritize Time for Service
Time is precious, and offering it to serve others can be one of the most challenging sacrifices. When we serve regularly—especially when it’s inconvenient—we learn to depend on God to supply energy, focus, and purpose. By giving time to those in need, we place our trust in God to help us manage the demands of life as we prioritize His kingdom.
Hospitality That Costs Something
Hospitality often involves more than opening our homes; it includes opening our hearts and schedules to others. Offering a place of rest or fellowship to those in need can stretch us emotionally and financially. This practice forces us to rely on God to provide and meet our needs, fostering a lifestyle of generosity and trust.
Making Faith-based Decisions with Career and Finances
When we choose to pursue purpose over profit or to fund ministries instead of saving excessively for ourselves, we enter a space where we rely on God to secure our future. Trusting Him with our careers or resources isn’t easy, but it’s a powerful exercise in dependence.
Practicing Fasting and Extended Prayer
Setting aside time to fast and pray helps us depend on God’s sustenance, both physically and spiritually. This intentional discipline can become a powerful act of faith, where we trust that God will meet our needs as we draw closer to Him.
Volunteering Professional Skills for Kingdom Purposes
Giving up paid time to volunteer our expertise requires both faith and sacrifice. Whether in a church, a nonprofit, or even informally, using skills for ministry without pay can challenge our dependence on material rewards and make us more reliant on God’s provision.
Seeking Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Taking steps toward reconciliation in our relationships often requires vulnerability and trust in God’s healing power. By putting ourselves in situations where we risk being hurt or rejected, we learn to trust God’s ability to heal and restore.
Surrendering Control Over Our Plans
Holding our ambitions, plans, and future loosely opens us to God’s leading. When we ask Him to show us what He wants for us, we must trust that His plans are ultimately better, even if it means giving up control or comfort.

The widow’s act of faith shows us that true giving costs us something. Sacrificial trust isn’t about the amount or kind of gift we give; it’s about our willingness to let go of our self-reliance and place ourselves fully in God’s hands. As we practice faith in new areas of life, we move beyond mere convenience to genuine, transformative trust.

Never Stop Never Stopping

The title of today’s devotional is borrowed from the comedy film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping by Andy Samberg—a film about an artist who refuses to quit despite repeated failures. And while it’s an over-the-top satire, that relentless spirit of pressing forward mirrors something crucial about the life of faith. For believers, the call to stay the course in God’s work isn’t a joke, it’s a mandate.

In Luke 13, Jesus tells the parable of the fig tree, where the gardener pleads for more time to tend the tree before cutting it down, asking for one last effort to see if it will bear fruit. It’s a picture of divine patience and hope for redemption, not giving up too soon on what still has potential.

This is the kind of perseverance Jesus calls us to. When He commissions us to work for His kingdom, to “harvest” by making disciples, there’s an urgency to the task. But there’s also an enduring patience, a refusal to give up. Seeds are planted, sometimes taking seasons or years to show signs of life. The harvest may seem delayed or even doubtful at times. But our task is not to predict the yield; it’s to faithfully tend the soil, plant the seeds, and trust God to bring the increase.

Jesus’ teaching reminds us that it’s not about the speed of results, but about the faithfulness of our labor. It’s easy to grow weary and think, “Nothing is happening here—time to move on.” But God doesn’t waste the seeds He plants, nor does He call us to walk away from them prematurely. Our role is to persist, to work while it’s still light out, to continue planting, praying, and sharing. As long as there’s time, there’s potential.

Of course, this doesn’t mean we’ll see every seed bear fruit in our lifetime. Sometimes the harvest is for someone else to reap. Other times, the waiting itself is the point—teaching us trust and perseverance. In the end, the harvest is up to God. Our job is to “never stop never stopping,” faithfully laboring in the fields of His Kingdom.

There’s no room for giving up when eternity is at stake. The best way to ensure more seeds can be planted and nurtured is by making room in the harvest. We must work with urgency but also with patient faith. In the end, it’s God’s field, God’s seed, and God’s harvest.

As we work, we’re reminded: there’s only so much time before night falls, but as long as it’s day, we must stay the course. We may not see the results we hoped for right away, but rest assured—the seeds of the Kingdom are never wasted. So never stop. And never stop never stopping.

He Who Dies With the Most Toys Still Dies

Growing up as a millennial who often identified with Gen-X culture, I vividly remember the iconic “No Fear” t-shirts that were all the rage in the 90s. One slogan stuck with me: “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” At the time, it seemed like a clever pushback against the materialism of the culture around me, but there was more truth in it than I realized. It calls out the futility of measuring life by our possessions.

Jesus addresses this very issue in Luke 12:22-34 when He challenges His followers to stop worrying about what they’ll eat or wear. He points out that, in life, we often want more than we need. This isn’t just about greed; it’s about a deeper issue—trust. Instead of trusting that God will provide for us, we often rely on ourselves, stockpiling resources in the hope that we’ll feel secure. Like the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21, we build bigger barns, gather more, and look to our possessions for peace. But even if we gain everything we think we need, it’s still not enough, because deep down, we don’t trust that God’s provision is sufficient.

We’re not all that different from the rich fool. We live in a culture that tells us security comes from having “enough”—enough money, enough success, enough recognition. The problem is that our definition of “enough” keeps changing. When we focus on accumulating more, we’re really saying that God isn’t enough for us. We don’t trust Him to give us what we need, so we try to take care of ourselves.

Jesus offers a better way. He tells us to seek first God’s Kingdom and trust that everything else will fall into place. What He promises isn’t a life of luxury, but a life free from the constant anxiety of trying to secure ourselves. Faith is trusting that God knows our needs better than we do—and that, ultimately, our treasure isn’t in what we can accumulate here on earth. It’s in heaven, where no amount of wealth or possessions can ever compare.

At the end of the day, the slogan still holds true: “He who dies with the most toys still dies.” But for those of us who trust in God’s provision, we’ve found something better than toys. We’ve found true peace, true security, and a treasure that will last for eternity.

Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt: Keeping Our Eyes on the Prize

Nehemiah faced multiple forms of opposition as he sought to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Sanballat, Tobiah, and others continually tried to disrupt the work through various tactics: intimidation, discouragement, and disinformation. Each of these methods is a classic tactic used to sow fear and confusion, causing people to doubt their mission. But Nehemiah’s focus and reliance on God serve as a powerful example for us today.

First, there was the scare tactic. Sanballat and Tobiah mocked the efforts of the builders. They laughed at them, claiming the wall would crumble if even a fox walked on it (Neh. 4:3). The aim was to undermine their confidence and make them second-guess the importance of their work. It’s not too different from the whispers we might hear today: “What difference will it make?” “Are you sure this is even worth it?” “Maybe you should just stop before you embarrass yourself.” These subtle doubts can erode our resolve if we give them space in our minds.

Second, they tried to incite fear with the threat of violence. Sanballat and Tobiah spread rumors about an imminent attack (Neh. 4:11). In response, half the workers stood guard while the other half built the wall, each holding a weapon at their side (Neh. 4:17-18). The key here is how Nehemiah addressed the threat — he neither ignored it nor let it paralyze the work. He took practical precautions, but the work continued. Sometimes in life, we face real threats — whether it’s fear of failure, personal attacks, or genuine danger. In such moments, wisdom calls for both vigilance and persistence. But we cannot allow fear to derail us from our God-given purpose.

The enemy didn’t stop there. They then resorted to lies and manipulation. Sanballat sent letters accusing Nehemiah of rebelling against the king, a serious claim that could have cost him his life (Neh. 6:5-9). Nehemiah saw through the lies and refused to be intimidated. He didn’t waste time trying to defend himself or prove his innocence — he trusted that God would vindicate him. In our own lives, we can face misinformation and rumors, especially in today’s age of social media. It’s easy to feel like we need to respond to every accusation or defend ourselves against every misunderstanding. But sometimes, the best response is to keep moving forward and trust that the truth will eventually come to light.

Finally, Nehemiah faced attempts at compromise. Sanballat and Tobiah invited him to a meeting, which was a veiled attempt to ambush him (Neh. 6:2-3). Nehemiah saw through their plan and refused, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down.” He didn’t let himself get distracted. Today, distractions can come in many forms — whether it’s the temptation to engage in fruitless arguments, to take on tasks that aren’t ours, or to settle for less than what God has called us to. Once we have our orders from the King, we must stay the course without compromise or delay.

Nehemiah shows us that opposition, whether through fear, intimidation, lies, or distraction, is inevitable. Yet, his example reminds us that we don’t have to give in. Just as Nehemiah had orders from the king of Persia and stayed focused, we have orders from the King of Kings, Jesus Christ. When we are sure of what God has called us to, we must stay focused on the mission, trusting that He will provide the strength, wisdom, and protection we need to overcome every obstacle.

The Illusion of Human Power

Esther 1:10-22 offers us a fascinating glimpse into the dynamics of power and authority. Xerxes, the king, is used to absolute control over his empire and, apparently, over his household as well. His command for Queen Vashti to appear before his banquet guests as a display of her beauty is not simply a request but an expectation born out of his authority as king. When Vashti refuses, it isn’t just a private disagreement—it becomes a threat to the entire social order of the time, particularly to the authority of men over their households.

This fear is expressed clearly by Xerxes’ advisors, who advise the king to take action against Vashti. They worry that if her defiance goes unpunished, other women across the kingdom might be emboldened to defy their husbands as well, undermining the patriarchal system. Their solution? Issue a royal decree that not only punishes Vashti but also publicizes her defiance throughout the empire. In doing so, they unintentionally broadcast the very rebellion they hoped to suppress.

Here lies the irony: in their attempt to preserve male authority, the advisors only magnify the story of Vashti’s refusal. What might have been an act of dignity and self-respect on Vashti’s part is twisted into a threat to societal order. Their actions, meant to reinforce control, instead expose the fragility of their power. Human attempts to maintain control often backfire, revealing how shaky earthly power structures truly are. What was meant to be a private refusal, perhaps rooted in Vashti’s desire to maintain her honor¹, becomes a public scandal. In their eagerness to suppress disorder, the advisors instead invite it.

This passage reminds us of an important truth: human authority is temporary and imperfect. Kings and rulers can make decrees, set policies, and seek to control outcomes, but ultimately, only God’s authority is sovereign and unshakable. Xerxes’ actions, driven by wounded pride and fear of losing control, stand in stark contrast to the steady, unchanging power of God.

In today’s world, we often see similar patterns. Leaders and institutions may try to exert control, only to discover that their efforts to preserve authority highlight their insecurity. Just as in Xerxes’ kingdom, human power is fragile and subject to failure. We are reminded that, in contrast, God’s power is constant, just, and never subject to the whims of pride or fear.

As Christians, this passage encourages us to examine where we place our trust. Do we rely on human structures of power, which are bound to crumble, or do we place our trust in the Lord, whose rule is eternal and whose authority is rooted in love and righteousness? Vashti’s story serves as a reminder that God often works through the unexpected—through defiance, through irony, through what appears to be disorder—to accomplish His purposes.

Today, let us be encouraged to stand firm in our faith, knowing that while human power may falter, God’s will is always accomplished. The fragility of earthly systems highlights the steadfastness of God’s kingdom. May we place our hope and trust in the one true King, whose authority is never threatened and whose rule is always just.

Several theories have been proposed about why Vashti’s banquet occurred and why she refused to attend Xerxes’ summons:

Cultural Norms: In Persian society, there was a cultural expectation that women would not be present at certain male-dominated gatherings, especially if they involved heavy drinking and revelry. Vashti’s banquet might have been a customary women’s gathering, separate from the more public male banquet. In this case, Xerxes summoning her to display her beauty may have been a breach of this cultural expectation.

Protection of Dignity: Some scholars suggest that Vashti’s refusal was based on a desire to maintain her dignity. Xerxes’ request, made in a drunken state, could have been seen as inappropriate or demeaning, especially if it was interpreted that she was being asked to appear in front of the men solely to show off her beauty (with some interpretations even suggesting she was asked to appear immodestly). Vashti may have been unwilling to leave her banquet, where she held a position of honor, to be publicly objectified.

Political and Personal Dynamics: There is also speculation that Vashti’s refusal might reflect deeper political or personal dynamics between her and Xerxes, which the text doesn’t elaborate on. Whether her banquet was a symbolic assertion of her own power or simply a part of royal custom is unclear.

Timing: The text doesn’t explicitly state whether the banquets were happening at the exact same time or one after the other. The suggestion that Vashti was called away from her banquet to attend Xerxes’ could indicate overlapping events, though this isn’t certain. If they were happening concurrently, it would make her refusal seem more reasonable, as she was hosting an event of her own. ↩︎

The All-Knowing God

In Daniel 10-12, we see an astonishing display of God’s foreknowledge through the angel’s revelation of events that would unfold in Israel’s future. The prophecy is so detailed and accurate that many scholars have marveled at how perfectly it aligns with historical events. Some have even questioned whether it could have been written before the events took place, suggesting it must have been written post-facto due to its uncanny accuracy . But that is the very point: Biblical prophecy demonstrates God’s omniscience—His all-knowing nature. He is not bound by time; He sees the end from the beginning. In Daniel’s vision, we are given a glimpse of this truth, and it should strengthen our trust in God’s sovereignty over history and our personal lives.

In Daniel 11, we read detailed accounts of future kings and conflicts, particularly concerning the rulers of the North and South, which align remarkably with the historical conflicts between the Seleucid and Ptolemaic dynasties. This level of precision reminds us that nothing surprises God—He knows every rise and fall, every twist in the story of human history. As startling as it is to see these events play out just as God foretold, the prophecies serve a higher purpose than simply proving the Bible’s accuracy. They are meant to encourage us to trust in the God who knows and orchestrates every moment, including our future.

We live in uncertain times. There’s no shortage of things to worry about—economic instability, global conflicts, and personal challenges. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the unknown. But just as God had a perfect knowledge of the unfolding events in Daniel’s time, He knows the details of our lives as well. Nothing escapes His view, and His plans for us are good. This should fill us with hope. If God’s foreknowledge was so exact in ancient times, we can trust that He is in control of our future too.

The prophecy in Daniel also points to a future resurrection, a time when God’s people will be delivered, and all things will be set right. This promise of final victory should remind us that our current trials are not the end of the story. Just as God has shown His power in the past through prophecy, He will continue to fulfill His promises for the future. The God who perfectly predicted the rise and fall of empires is the same God who promises to wipe away every tear, to make all things new, and to be with us for eternity.

As we reflect on these prophecies, let’s remember that they reveal more than just historical accuracy—they show us the heart of a God who is deeply involved in the lives of His people. We don’t need to fear the unknown because we serve a God who knows everything. His foreknowledge is not just a display of His power, but a reassurance that He has a plan for us. When we’re faced with uncertainty, we can rest in the fact that nothing is uncertain to Him.

Trusting in the all-knowing God means we can move forward with hope, knowing that He holds our future. He has already proven His reliability through prophecy, and He will continue to show His faithfulness in our lives.

Condemned by History: the Shocking Reality of Human Justice

As we read through Daniel 6, the brutal reality of life in the ancient world hits hard. Those who conspired against Daniel—along with their wives and children—are thrown into the lions’ den. This kind of punishment, common in the ancient Near East, feels almost incomprehensible to us today. It serves as a sobering reminder of how human justice, no matter the era, can be incredibly harsh and inconsistent. What one generation sees as necessary justice, another may view as cruelty.

When we think of justice today, we can’t help but wonder: how will future generations judge us? Laws we think are right now may be condemned as unjust or even barbaric 10, 100, or 1,000 years from now. The values and principles we uphold may shift with time, and that’s the reality of human systems—they are shaped by culture, society, and limited knowledge. What we see in Daniel’s story is a raw example of this—King Darius, under the laws of his kingdom, saw fit to wipe out entire families based on the actions of a few.

In contrast, God’s justice is different. It transcends time and culture. God doesn’t need to evolve or adjust His standards; He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His justice is not only perfectly fair, but also perfectly good. While our understanding of fairness shifts with each generation, God’s character remains unwavering. He is consistent, and His judgments are always right and true.

This contrast between human and divine justice should give us pause. If our sense of justice is so fleeting and imperfect, how much more should we trust in God’s perfect judgment? His justice is not reactive or prone to the whims of culture. He knows every motive, every thought, and every action. What we deem fair today might be seen as cruel in the future, but God is eternally justified in His ways.

In this world where justice is imperfect, we are invited to place our hope in a God who is always good, always fair, and always just. While human justice systems will continue to shift, God’s standard of justice will never change. We can take comfort in knowing that His ways are perfect, even when ours are not.