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What do you do when life feels unstable?

Most of us like predictability. We like routines, plans, and a sense that things are under control. But every so often, something happens that reminds us how fragile life can feel.

• A storm approaches.
• A job disappears.
• A relationship breaks down.
• A phone call changes everything.

Psalm 46 was written for moments like that.

The psalm describes the world coming apart. Mountains are falling into the sea, waters are roaring and foaming, and the earth giving way beneath your feet. This is not mild inconvenience. It is chaos.

And yet, right at the beginning, the psalm says:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

He’s not a distant help, nor is He an occasional help.

God is our present help.

That word “refuge” is important. A refuge is not a place where danger never existed. It is a place of safety in the middle of danger.

Several years ago, after a hurricane passed through Florida, I remember seeing neighborhoods filled with broken branches, damaged roofs, and flooded streets. But there were also people opening their homes to neighbors, sharing generators, meals, and supplies. And there were schools and other shelters that were constructed to withstand category 5 winds. In the middle of uncertainty, people were looking for somewhere safe.

Psalm 46 reminds us that ultimately, our refuge is not found in circumstances being calm. It is found in God Himself.

The psalm doesn’t pretend trouble is imaginary. What it says is that trouble is not greater than the God who stands with His people. So, you have nothing to fear.

I remember the first time I took my kids on a roller coaster. I told them, the roller coaster is designed to keep them safe. Even when it goes fast, drops, or spins, they have nothing to fear because they won’t get hurt.

Sadly, though, there are times roller coasters fail, but God never fails.

For Christians, this becomes even clearer in Jesus.

When the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, they panicked while Jesus slept in the boat. To them, it looked like everything was out of control. But with a word, Jesus calmed the wind and waves.

The same Lord still reigns.

And even when life feels chaotic, He has not lost control. The cross and resurrection prove that not even sin and death can overcome His saving purpose.

So when life feels unstable, Psalm 46 does not tell you to pretend everything is fine.

It tells you where to run.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

When life feels uncertain and overwhelming, remind me that You are my refuge and strength. Help me not to place my trust in temporary things, but in You alone. Strengthen my faith through Jesus, who is Lord even over chaos, suffering, and death.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Have you ever heard someone say they don’t do church, but have a personal faith in Jesus?

One of the easiest ways to drift spiritually is to begin thinking of faith as something entirely private.

That way of thinking is common today. Many people have lost faith in institutions. So, people speak about having a “personal faith” or a “private relationship with God.” And while faith is certainly personal, it was never meant to be isolated.

Paul reminds the Corinthians of that by using the image of a body.

“For just as the body is one and has many members… so it is with Christ.”

A body is not a collection of disconnected parts gathered in the same place. It is a living unity. Each member belongs to the others because all belong to the same body.

Paul says this is now true of the Church.

And then he explains how that happened:

“For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.”

Notice what joins Christians together. Not personality. Not background. Not shared interests or preferences. Baptism.

God Himself has brought people into Christ and, in doing so, joined them to one another.

That means the Church is more than an organization or a gathering of like-minded individuals. It is a living body created by God through His Spirit.

This matters because there are times when Christians feel disconnected or alone in their faith. Sometimes that comes through suffering. Sometimes through discouragement. Sometimes through the mistaken belief that needing others is a sign of weakness or that Christianity in the “institution” of the church is not authentic.

But the body of Christ was never designed for isolation.

God gives His gifts through His people. He encourages through conversations, prayers, acts of care, and the shared hearing of His Word. He strengthens through the gathered Church where believers receive Christ’s gifts in Word and Sacrament together. I often tell people, you may at times feel like you don’t need church today, I think you still do, but even still, someone else may need you in church today. They may need your smile, your prayer, your singing, or something else.

The Lord’s Supper reflects the reality of the unity of God’s people. Paul later speaks of the Church sharing “one bread” because believers are joined together in Christ. Communion is not merely an individual moment between you and God. It is participation in the body of Christ together. It unites God’s people into the one body of the church.

Of course, life in the Church is not always easy. People disappoint one another. Congregations are filled with sinners. Pastors fail. Yet Paul still calls this broken, imperfect gathering the body of Christ because its unity does not come from human perfection. It comes from Christ Himself.

So today, remember that your faith is not something you carry alone.

You have been baptized into Christ.
And being joined to Him means being joined to His people.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for bringing me into the body of Christ through Baptism. Forgive me for the times I isolate myself or forget the gifts You provide through Your Church.

Strengthen and encourage me through Your people, Your Word, and Your Sacraments. Help me also to serve and care for others as a member of Christ’s body.

Keep Your Church united in the faith and centered always on Christ our Lord.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Who are your best friends?

Who are your most influential friends?

There’s a difference. It’s easy to underestimate how much the people around us shape us.

Most influence doesn’t happen dramatically or all at once. It happens slowly, through ordinary time spent together. Conversations. Shared habits. Repeated attitudes. Over time, we begin to absorb the perspectives and priorities of the people we walk alongside.

That’s why Proverbs speaks so directly about friendship.

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise…”

Notice the image: walking. This is not about a brief interaction or casual acquaintance. It’s about the people you regularly travel through life with.

• Their outlook begins to affect yours.
• Their habits influence your habits.
• Their values slowly press into your own.

You can see this in both positive and negative ways and you’ve probably experienced this in your own life. If you spend enough time around someone who constantly complains, and it becomes easier to complain yourself. If you spend time with someone who is thoughtful, patient, and grounded in faith, and you often find those qualities strengthening in your own life too.

We become more like the people we continually surround ourselves with.

That doesn’t mean Christians should isolate themselves from unbelievers or avoid difficult people. Jesus certainly didn’t do that. He spent time with sinners, tax collectors, and the outcasts of society. But He was influencing them, not being shaped by them. There needs to be a difference in our mindset around people who we want to have an influence on us and those we want to have an influence on.

There’s wisdom in honestly asking: who is shaping me?

• Who are the voices I listen to most?
• Who influences the way I think and speak?
• Who encourages me toward what is good, true, and faithful?
• Who leads me towards what is unhealthy, course, or even evil?

Those questions matter because spiritual drift is usually gradual. Rarely does someone wake up one morning completely different from who they once were. More often, it happens through countless small influences over time.

At the same time, this proverb is also an encouragement. Wise companionship is one of God’s gifts.

None of us were meant to walk through life alone. God often strengthens us through faithful friends, mentors, family members, pastors, and fellow believers who encourage us, correct us when needed, and point us back to Christ.

In fact, that’s one of the reasons being an active part of a faithful and loving church congregation is so important. You are surrounding yourself with friends who can encourage, lead, correct, and even call you to repentance. At the same time, you can help others by encouraging, lead, correcting, and calling them to repentance.

And sometimes, without even realizing it, you may become that kind of influence for someone else.

So today, consider the people you are walking with — and the kind of person you are becoming as a result.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the people You place in my life. Give me wisdom in the friendships and influences I allow close to my heart. Surround me with people who encourage what is good and faithful, and help me to be that kind of influence for others as well. Protect me from drifting toward what is harmful or foolish. Give me wisdom around friends who might be a poor influence. Above all, keep me close to You, that my life would be shaped by Your truth and grace.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

The Eighth Commandment

Words are powerful.

A few sentences can encourage someone for years. A few careless comments can damage a reputation almost instantly.

That’s why the Eighth Commandment matters so much.

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”

At first, this commandment sounds like it belongs in a courtroom—and originally, it did involve legal testimony. God was protecting people from lies that could destroy lives.

But this commandment applies far beyond courtrooms.

We are not to tell lies, betray, slander, or hurt our neighbor’s reputation. Instead, we are to defend them, speak well of them, and explain everything in the kindest way.

That last phrase can be difficult.

“Explain everything in the kindest way.”

Because our natural instinct is often the opposite.

• We assume motives.
• We repeat rumors.
• We share stories that make others look bad and ourselves look better.

Sometimes we disguise it as concern or humor. Sometimes we call it “just being honest.” But underneath it is often pride, anger, or a desire to tear someone down.

How much different would your relationships be if you always assumed the best instead of the worst. What if we didn’t suspect malice when it could simply have been a mistake or misunderstanding? How would people perceive you if you defended people against rumors rather than passing them on?

I remember an old proverb.

A man who lived in a certain village spread a rumor that turned out to be false. Feeling guilty for what he’d done, he went to a pastor to ask how to fix it. The pastor told the man to go get his pillow and meet him at the top of a nearby hill.

When the man got to the top of the hill, the pastor took the pillow and, just as a strong wind came through, he took out a knife and cut the pillow open. The feathers from the pillow emptied out of the pillow and were carried away by the wind.

The pastor then handed the empty pillow back to the man and said, “Go get all the feathers.”

And in today’s world, words travel faster than ever. A comment online, a text message, a conversation after church or at work—small words can spread quickly and do real harm.

This commandment calls us to something different…speak with love, honesty, and restraint. Christians should be people whose words build trust rather than destroy it.

We are to speak the truth as is says in Ephesians, but do so in love and with wisdom.

And if we are honest, we all fail here. We have all spoken carelessly, repeated things we shouldn’t, or wounded others with our words.

Which is why we need Jesus.

He is the Truth. Yet false witnesses testified against Him. He was slandered, mocked, and condemned through lies.

And still, He went to the cross willingly.

For liars.
For gossips.
For people whose words have caused damage.

For us.

When you fail in this commandment, you can’t fix it. You can’t get all the feathers. However, In Christ, there is forgiveness not only for sinful actions, but also for sinful speech. And through His Spirit, He teaches us to speak differently…

To use words not as weapons, but as gifts.

Let’s pray…

Lord Jesus,

Please forgive me for the times my words have hurt others or failed to reflect Your love. Guard my mouth and guide my speech. Help me to speak truthfully, kindly, and wisely, so that my words may build others up rather than tear them down.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

How do you feel when someone tries to hurt you?

Joseph’s brothers are afraid.

Their father Jacob has died, and now they wonder if Joseph will finally take revenge. Years earlier, they had thrown him into a pit, sold him into slavery, and shattered their family through jealousy and hatred. Even after reconciliation, guilt still lingers in their minds.

So they send a message to Joseph, pleading for mercy.

And Joseph responds with one of the most remarkable statements in Genesis:

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.”

Joseph does not pretend the evil never happened. He doesn’t minimize it or excuse it. What his brothers did was truly sinful and wrong. Lives were wounded because of it.

But Joseph also sees something else.

God was at work even through the brokenness.

Not causing evil in the sense of approving it, but overruling it, redirecting it, weaving His purposes through human sin and failure. What looked like the destruction of Joseph’s future became the very means by which God preserved many lives during famine.

That perspective usually only comes with time.

Joseph could not have seen all of this when he sat in the pit. Or when he was falsely accused in Egypt. Or when years passed in prison. In those moments, God’s plan would have been impossible to trace clearly.

And often, that is true for us too.

We want immediate explanations. We want to understand why painful things happen while we are still in the middle of them. But many times, we simply cannot see the full picture yet.

Genesis 50 reminds us of something important:

• Human evil does not get the final word.
• God’s purposes are not defeated by human sin.
• The Lord is able to bring good even out of what was meant for harm.

That does not make suffering easy. It does not erase grief or consequences. It doesn’t make evil that was done good. Joseph still bears scars from what happened. But it does mean that God is never absent from the story.

It also means that we don’t need to fear or despair or avenge. God can and does work good in the difficult times of our lives, even when someone is trying to harm us. Romans 8:28 echoes this.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

And ultimately, Joseph’s words point beyond his own life.

The greatest evil ever committed was the rejection and crucifixion of Jesus. Betrayed, condemned, and killed by sinful people. And yet through that very act, God brought the greatest good, the salvation to the world.

What humanity meant for evil, God used for eternal good.

So when you cannot yet understand what God is doing, remember Joseph. The Lord’s hands are larger than the moment you can currently see. When someone has hurt you and you feel the temptation towards bitterness or revenge, remember Jesus, and know God can work even that evil for good, so you can leave it in His hands.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

There are times when I cannot understand why painful things happen. Help me trust that even when evil and suffering are real, You are still at work. Give me patience when I cannot see the full picture, and remind me that Your purposes are greater than human sin and failure. In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

Have you ever known someone was talking to you, but didn’t really catch what they said?

Throughout Mark 4, Jesus keeps urging people to listen carefully.

“Pay attention to what you hear.”

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

These aren’t just invitations. They are also warnings.

Jesus is revealing the mysteries of God’s kingdom. Those who receive His Word in faith are given more. Their understanding grows. Their faith is strengthened. He gives them new life which is abundant. But those who reject His Word eventually lose even what they think they possess and suffer condemnation.

The stakes are high because Jesus is not merely sharing interesting ideas. He is announcing how God is saving the world.

That helps us understand the parables that follow.

Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to seed scattered on the ground. Once planted, the seed grows. The farmer cannot explain exactly how it happens. He sleeps and rises, day after day, while the seed sprouts and matures.

The focus is not on the farmer’s effort.

The focus is on God’s work.

When Jesus came preaching, His ministry may have appeared small. A handful of disciples. Crowds that came and went. Opposition from religious leaders. Yet through His Word, God was bringing people to faith and gathering them into His kingdom.

And that work continues today.

Every time the Gospel is preached, God is at work. Every time His Word is taught, read, heard, or proclaimed, He is planting seed. He is creating faith. He is gathering people into His kingdom, into the Church.

The growth may be hidden from our eyes, but it is not uncertain.

And when the harvest is ready, Jesus says it will come. The day will arrive when Christ returns and brings His saving work to completion.

The mustard seed makes a similar point.

It begins small, almost unnoticed. Yet it grows into something large enough for birds to nest in its branches.

That is what the Kingdom of God looks like.

Jesus did not arrive with armies, political power, or worldly influence. Instead, He came humbly. He would soon suffer, and die. The Kingdom of God would start with one man, Jesus Christ, buried…or planted…in the ground.

Yet from that small beginning, God would grow a kingdom stretching across nations and generations. Today, hundreds of millions of people find refuge in Christ because of what began with one Savior who gave His life for the world.

These parables invite us to trust what Jesus says, even when we cannot yet see the full results.

The Kingdom of God is growing.

The Gospel is bearing fruit.

The Church is being gathered.

And the King who began this work will one day return to bring in the harvest.

I pray you have ears to hear and find rest in branches of God’s gracious Kingdom.

Let’s pray…

Lord Jesus,

Give me ears to hear. By Your Spirit, help me to understand Your Word and believe. Strengthen my faith to trust Your Word and Your promises. When Your kingdom seems small or hidden, remind me that You are at work through the Gospel. Keep me in Your saving kingdom until the day You return in glory.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

What makes you feel safe?

For some people, it’s having enough money in the bank. For others, it’s a good doctor, a secure job, or a strong support system. We all look for something that gives us confidence that things will be okay. Most of the time it’s something tangible or visible.

Psalm 23 gives a different picture of security.

“The Lord is my shepherd.”

That image would have been familiar to David. Before he was king, he was a shepherd himself. He knew sheep are not strong or independent animals. They need guidance, protection, and care. Left alone, they wander into danger surprisingly easily.

That comparison is not always flattering to us.

We like to think of ourselves as capable and self-sufficient. We want to believe we can manage life on our own. But eventually, most people encounter situations that remind them otherwise. A diagnosis. A broken relationship. Financial stress. Grief. Suddenly, we realize how little control we actually have.

Psalm 23 does not promise that Christians avoid those valleys.

In fact, David assumes they will come. He speaks about walking through…

“the valley of the shadow of death.”

The comfort of the psalm is not that danger disappears. The comfort is that the shepherd remains present within it.

“You are with me.” changes everything.

I think back to when I was a child. Walking through place that was dark could be scary…if I was alone. But if my Mom or Dad was with me, it wasn’t so scary anymore. I trusted them and knew they loved me and would take care of me.

That’s the comfort Psalm 23 gives.

For Christians, this psalm points us to Jesus, who calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He does not stand far away from suffering and death. He walks directly into it. At the cross, He entered the darkest valley and came out the other side in resurrection life.

Because of Him, we can trust that no valley is truly empty. The Shepherd has already gone ahead of us, and He does not abandon His sheep and it doesn’t matter how dark the valley gets, He is greater.

I wish I could say that prevents me from ever being afraid. It doesn’t, but that’s my weakness. Jesus is faithful. Maybe you are afraid sometimes, too. Rest assured, even if you’re afraid, know that fear no longer has the final word. Jesus does. And He says you’ll dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being my Shepherd. When I am anxious or afraid, remind me that You are with me. Help me trust Your care even in difficult valleys, knowing that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has gone before me and holds me securely in His hands.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

There are times when spiritual life can become mechanical.

You still do all the normal things. You attend worship, pray, read Scripture, or serve where needed. But underneath it all, there can be a weariness. Faith begins to feel less like living and more like maintaining, like you are just going through the motions

Part of the reason that happens is because we subtly begin to think of Christianity mainly as improvement. We focus on becoming more disciplined, more patient, more faithful, more mature. And while growth is certainly part of the Christian life, we don’t always see it. So, it can seem stagnant. Yet, growth is not where Paul begins in Ephesians 2.

He begins with death.

“You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked.”

Dead—not struggling, not weakened, not in need of minor correction. Spiritually dead.

Paul says this because he wants us to understand the true depth of what God has done. Christianity is not God helping spiritually tired people get back on their feet. It is God giving life to those who could not create life in themselves.

“But God, being rich in mercy…”

Again, everything changes with those words.

God does not wait for people to become spiritually impressive before acting. He moves toward the dead. Toward sinners. Toward those unable to rescue themselves.

I once heard pastor say that before believing in Jesus, we are like a swimmer drowning in the sea and Jesus is a life guard. If we just call out, He’ll save us. Yet, that is not how God describes it. God says that before believing in Jesus we are dead, not drowning. And Jesus doesn’t wait for us to call out to Him, He goes and gets us dead people and rescues us because of His grace.

“And made us alive together with Christ.”

That is the center of the passage. God has united you to the risen Christ, and because Jesus lives, you now share in His life.

This means the Christian life is not sustained by your energy, determination, or emotional momentum. Its source is Christ Himself.

There will still be days when you feel spiritually dry or weak. There will still be struggles with sin, distraction, or doubt. But your spiritual life does not depend on keeping yourself alive through constant effort.

God has already made you alive in Christ.

That reality continues to shape your life now. In His Word, He continues to speak life. In Baptism, He joined you to Christ’s death and resurrection. In the Lord’s Supper, He continues to strengthen and sustain you with Christ’s own body and blood.

The Christian life is not built on trying to create spiritual life within yourself. It is lived by continually receiving the life Christ gives.

So, when your faith feels weak or your heart feels tired, remember where your life comes from.

You are alive together with Christ.

And His life is stronger than your weakness.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for making me alive together with Christ when I could not give life to myself. Forgive me for the times I rely only on my own strength or treat the Christian life as something I must sustain alone.

Renew me through Your Word and Sacraments. Strengthen my faith, and remind me that my life rests in Christ who lives and reigns forever.

Help me to live today trusting in the life You continue to give.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

How much money do you have in your bank account right now?

Money solves problems.

If your car breaks down, money helps. If an unexpected bill shows up, money matters. If you lose your job, having savings brings relief. Proverbs itself recognizes that wealth has value and that wise stewardship matters.

But this proverb pushes deeper than whether money is useful. It asks what we are trusting in.

“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall…”

That word trust is the key.

Most people don’t consciously decide to trust money instead of God. It happens unconsciously. The more financially secure we feel, the easier it becomes to believe we are secure, period. We begin to rest emotionally in what we have accumulated. A bank account, retirement fund, home value, or steady paycheck starts to feel like the thing holding our life together.

And when those things feel threatened, fear quickly rises to the surface.

That reveals something…Trust.

Jesus once said,

“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

It’s interesting that in the United States we print “In God we trust” on our money. I always used to think it was there as a statement of faith for the country and maybe it is, but maybe it’s also a reminder. That money your holding isn’t the thing to trust, God is.

Money has a way of attaching itself not just to our wallets, but to our sense of stability and identity, to our hearts. We end up trusting the gift rather than the giver.

Of course, this proverb is not saying Christians shouldn’t save money or plan wisely. Proverbs actually commends wisdom, diligence, and preparation. The issue is not possession. The issue is dependence.

What are you leaning on when life feels uncertain?

Riches make a poor savior because they are fragile. Economies shift. Jobs change. Unexpected expenses arrive. Even great wealth cannot protect a person from sickness, broken relationships, guilt, loneliness, or death.

It can provide comfort. It can’t provide peace.

That’s why Proverbs contrasts trusting riches with flourishing like a green leaf. A healthy leaf remains connected to its source of life. In the same way, the person who trusts in the Lord draws life and stability from something deeper than circumstances.

Not guaranteed wealth, but a steadiness rooted beyond possessions or weath.

So today, it’s worth asking honestly: where do I look for security?

The answer may show up less in what you say and more in what you fear losing most.

But this Proverb isn’t just a warning, it’s a promise. God promises to provide to the righteous. At first that may sound scary. After all, who amount us lives a righteous life? According to Romans, no one.

Thankfully, Romans also tells us about a righteousness that comes apart from observance of the Law…a righteousness that comes from faith.

Who is righteous, all who have faith in Jesus. If you believe in Jesus. You are righteous. So, God’s promise to provide is a promise to you.

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

You provide for my daily needs, and I thank You for every good gift You have given me. But forgive me for the times I place my trust in money, possessions, or financial security more than in You. Teach me to be wise with what I have without making it my source of peace. Remind me that true security is found in Your care and faithfulness. Help me to trust You in both abundance and uncertainty.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.

The Seventh Commandment

“You shall not steal.”

This commandment is about helping our neighbor improve and protect what belongs to them.

In other words, it’s not only about taking things outright. It’s about honesty, integrity, and faithfulness in all areas of life.

That touches more of our lives than we might want to admit.

• Cutting corners at work.
• Being careless with responsibilities.
• Wasting what has been entrusted to us.
• Taking advantage of people for personal gain.

Sometimes stealing happens in a way that is hidden.

A person may never commit a crime and still break this commandment regularly through greed, dishonesty, or selfishness.

Because at its heart, this commandment asks a deeper question:

Do I love my neighbor enough to deal honestly with them?

Also, do I trust God to provide all that I need?

God gives people possessions, resources, abilities, and opportunities. And He calls us not only to respect those gifts, but also to use our own gifts in ways that serve others rather than exploit them.

That reveals the positive aspect of this commandment. We are to seek to help our neighbor protect their belongings. I not only want to avoid taking advantage of my neighbor, I want to see them thrive.

That changes how we think about work, money, and success.

The goal of life is not simply getting more for ourselves.

It is faithfulness.

Jesus says,

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.”

Integrity matters even when nobody notices. God cares about honesty in small things as much as large ones.

And if we are honest, this commandment reveals that selfishness runs deeper in us than we realize. We often look for what benefits us first.

But then we look to Christ. Jesus did not take from others. He gave Himself for others. Though He possessed all things, He became poor for our sake. He gave His time, His strength, His compassion…His very life.

And through His death and resurrection, He gives forgiveness freely—even for greedy hearts and dishonest lives.

Then He begins shaping us into people who reflect His generosity.

• People who can be trusted.
• People who use what they have wisely.
• People who seek the good of their neighbor.

Not perfectly. But faithfully.

Let’s pray…

Lord God,

Forgive me for the ways I have acted selfishly or dishonestly. Teach me to live with integrity and faithfulness in all I do. Help me to use what You have given me in ways that serve and bless others. Through Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.