Triumphant
DAY 75 WRITTEN BY: TRE WIGGINS-
Colossians 2:15
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
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What are you afraid of? Some people hate snakes (count me in this group). Others want nothing to do with clowns (I confess I don’t understand this group). Still others are afraid of the dark. My son struggles with this fear. It’s the unknown that tends to creep him out when the lights go off. After all, there’s endless possibilities about what may be lurking in the closet when it’s time to go to sleep.
That kind of fear isn’t unusual. In fact, we often fear the unknown. We fear things we aren’t familiar with. That is why I hate snakes. I have no idea what they’re ever going to do if I’m near them. I’d rather just run in the opposite direction.
Thankfully, the things in life that deserve our fear are already known. I’m talking about spiritual realities like Satan and his demons. Being in the spiritual realm, they are unable to be seen. But we still know they exist. We also know why they exist, and that’s to try to thwart the plan of God. Ultimately, they’re unable to do that.
That’s because they’ve already been defeated. That’s one of the things Jesus accomplished on the cross. He triumphed over His spiritual enemies. He has victory over them. Thankfully, because He has victory over them, so do we. Yes, Satan is stronger, smarter, and more powerful than we are. But He is not stronger, smarter, or more powerful than Jesus. He is our foe. But He is a defeated foe. Today, we can walk in spiritual victory, knowing no weapon formed against us will prosper.
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Father, thank you securing my victory over sin, death, and Satan through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. Help me to remember today that the same power that rose Christ from the grave lives in me. I can walk in the new life that Jesus purchased for me on Calvary!
The Last Adam
DAY 74 WRITTEN BY: TRE WIGGINS-
1 Corinthians 15:45
Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
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Many times in the New Testament the Apostle Paul writes comparing the first Adam with the last. The first Adam was created and intended to enjoy God in relationship. That relationship was upended by sin, ultimately. Jesus comes as the last Adam to do what the first Adam could not: live without sin.
The reason the first Adam could not live without sin was because he was creation. He was not perfect. He had the capacity for sin. The last Adam, Jesus, is not creation. He is eternal in nature. And unlike Adam, He is perfect and unable to sin.
Where Adam was merely a living being, Jesus is a being that gives life. The last Adam doesn’t only exist, He gives existence. Namely, spiritual existence where there was once none. Every person that has ever lived has been born into sin and has a sinful nature because the fallen nature of the first Adam. We are born spiritually dead because of our common ancestor. Yet, the last Adam has come in order that we might be given spiritual life. That spiritual life gives what was once an impossibility for us: union with Christ. Today, we have life not because it is inherent within us. It is not. In fact, true life is alien to us. It comes not from within, but from without. It comes from Christ, the last Adam and life-giver.
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Father, if not for Christ, we have nothing. We remain dead in our sins and transgressions without Him. We acknowledge today that the last Adam has come in order to seek and to save the lost, which we once were. Once, we were alive physically but dead spiritually. But You stepped in through Christ and gave us what we could not obtain ourselves. Life and life abundant! Help us today to walk in the newness of life we’ve been given.
The Same
DAY 73 WRITTEN BY: TRE WIGGINS-
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
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Have you ever had a relationship turn sour on you? Perhaps it was a friendship that you thought would last a lifetime. The problem is…it didn’t. When things don’t turn out the way that we think (or hope) they will, it feels like loss. It hurts. It’s because people change. Sometimes, we’re the ones who change.
But do you know who *never* changes? Jesus. The Scriptures tell us that He is always the same. This is the doctrine of His immutability. Can you imagine a God that would change? A God that might change His mind if something didn’t turn out the way He wanted? What about if He changed His mind about you? Could we live in any kind of comfort or security in that kind of God?
No, we couldn’t. Thankfully, the biblical Jesus doesn’t change. Whoever the Scriptures tell us He is, He always will be. He never changes His mind or thoughts about us. He loves us, and He loves us eternally. He tells us in Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” It will never fade or falter, whether we change or not. So, even if others change around us, Jesus never will. Take comfort in that today!
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Jesus, I thank you that the Scriptures tell me that You always stay the same. You are the immovable Rock that stays steady. Thank you so much for your unchanging love toward me!
The Head
DAY 72 WRITTEN BY: ELIZABETH BROOME-
Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head — Christ.
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In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he taught about spiritual gifts. The gifts Christ has given us should be used to equip the saints for the work of ministry and to edify the church (Ephesians 4:12). Because everyone is given different gifts, our growth will look different. However, as long as we are submitted to Christ, the Head of the church, we will have the same outcome.
Christ is not asking us to do something He hasn’t done. He submitted to the will of the Father when He came to earth. In John, Jesus said “I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30b). This should motivate us as we serve the church. Paul explained to the Corinthians that the church is “Christ’s and Christ’s is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:23). As we grow together, we are serving both Jesus and the Father.
Christ is also unified with the Father. In John 10:30, Jesus says “I and my Father are one.” While Jesus was equal to the Father, Jesus submitted to the Father’s will. As we submit to the Head of the church, we are submitting to the Father and will grow in unity together. As Paul told the church, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in on hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all Who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6).
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Heavenly Father, Thank you for the example that we have in Jesus. Help me to submit to Christ as I grow in the gifts you gave me. Help our church to grow spiritually and in unity with the Father. Amen.
Faithful & True
DAY 71 WRITTEN BY: TRE WIGGINS-
Revelation 3:14
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.’
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First, context of Revelation 3 tells us who the Amen, the faithful and true witness is: it’s Jesus. This same language is used of Jesus in Revelation 1. The rest of the verse ties up these monikers for Jesus: he is the beginning of God’s creation. This is not related to the creation of the world, but instead of Jesus’ starting of a new creation. That is, being resurrected, He is the forerunner of all who will share in glorified bodies one day when Jesus returns, and the new heavens and new earth is established.
Greg Beale gives great insight to the only other time the word “Amen” is used as a name. It is used of God in Isaiah 65:17. And in that verse, we see the blessing of this God of Amen: it is the creation of the new heavens and earth, the very thing that Jesus is the pioneer of in this new creation.
What we can celebrate today is that Jesus has made available to us resurrection power *today* that will empower us all the way home until we see Him face to face in the new creation of our final resting place with Him. He is the Amen, or truth, that makes spiritual life possible. We have been given access to that spiritual life through His death for us. Now, let’s walk in it! May He find us faithful on the day of His return, living as though we’re longing for the completion of this new creation.
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Jesus, you are the Amen, the faithful and true witness! We look forward to the blessing of the establishment of the new heavens and new earth. Our hearts long for our unhindered enjoyment of You, reveling in the absence of pain, sin, and death. You have made a way for us to grasp hold of this reality, and we thank You today for it!
A Life-Giving Spirit
DAY 70 WRITTEN BY: ANDREW CRAIN-
1 Corinthians 15:45
So it is written: 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
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In Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he shares an incredible truth that captures the essence of our faith and the redemptive work of Christ. In this verse, Paul draws a striking parallel between the first Adam and the last Adam—Jesus Christ.
In referencing the first man Adam as becoming a living being, we are taken to Genesis when God breathed life into the dust of the earth, forming the first man. God gave Adam life. Unfortunately, because of Adam’s disobedience, sin and death entered the world, casting a shadow over all of humanity.
However, Paul also references the “last Adam,” Jesus Christ, who is described as a “life-giving spirit.” Unlike the first Adam, who brought the curse of sin and death, the last Adam came to bring life and redemption. Jesus, through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offers us the gift of eternal life.
As believers, we are born into the lineage of the first Adam, inheriting the consequences of sin and the reality of mortality. But through faith in the last Adam (Jesus), we are born again into a new lineage—one marked by the life-giving spirit of Christ. Jesus not only conquered sin and death, but He also imparts the very essence of life to all who trust in Him.
Are you living merely as descendants of the first Adam, bound by sin and the fear of death? Or have you instead embraced the life-changing power of the last Adam, Jesus? The invitation is clear: exchange the burden of sin and death for the freedom and vitality found in the life-giving spirit that is Jesus Christ.
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Father, thank you for the truth revealed in 1 Corinthians 15:45. We acknowledge our connection to the first Adam and the consequences of sin. Yet, we are thankful for the redemptive work of the last Adam, Jesus Christ, who offers us the gift of eternal life. Transform our lives to exemplify that of Christ’s life-giving spirit. May our lives be a testimony to the transformative power of Your grace.
Our Gift
DAY 69 WRITTEN BY: GUY SHARLOW-
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
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In Mark 10:32-45, we encounter a profound teaching moment from Jesus, addressing the request of brothers James and John for positions of honor. This passage reveals a stark contrast between worldly views of leadership and the kingdom values Jesus embodied and taught.
Here, Jesus is on His journey to Jerusalem, aware of the impending suffering and death that await Him. James and John’s misguided request, along with the indignation from the other ten disciples, provides Jesus with an opportunity to redefine the concepts of greatness and leadership.
This passage, culminating in Mark 10:45, illuminates the essence of Christlike leadership - servanthood. Jesus, the Son of Man, presents the ultimate model: He did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). This statement encapsulates the heart of the Gospel - Jesus’ sacrificial love by taking our place for our sins and His call to selfless service.
Understanding Jesus’ teaching in this context calls for a reevaluation of our own aspirations and attitudes toward leadership and greatness. True greatness, as modeled by Jesus, is found not in power or status, but in serving others selflessly. This is a radical departure from worldly views that equate greatness with dominance and authority. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this servant-leadership, prioritizing the needs of others and seeking to serve rather than be served.
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Holy Spirit, help me to strive to embody Christ’s example of servant leadership. Help me to actively seek opportunities to serve others in humility, setting aside personal ambitions for power, recognition, and stature. Let this mindset guide my actions and interactions, modeling Jesus' sacrificial love and service in my relationships, work, and community. May I constantly be reminded that in serving others, I serve you Jesus, and help me to walk in the presence of God, under His authority, and for His glory. Amen.
Sun of Righteousness
DAY 68 WRITTEN BY: VICTORIA SCHNEIDER-
Malachi 4:2
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.
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Malachi 4 closes out the Old Testament with the final inspired words given by God to the prophet before the 400 years of silence before Christ's coming to earth. Malachi has just clearly warned that those who resist God in 4:1 will be consumed with fiery judgment. But in verse 2, we see that those who fear the Lord will have a much different future.
Those who wait on the Lord will see the sun of righteousness rise with healing in its rays. John the Baptist's father prophesied this just before Jesus was born in Luke 1:78, saying, "because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high." And that sun does come, born in a stall with the light of a star. The Messiah comes forth bearing light.
His rays bring light to the darkness. His kingdom brings light to the nations. Where there was once confusion, there is now clarity and truth. This light reveals what the dark has hidden, showing that sin has no control.
His rays of righteousness bring reconciliation. When Jesus came, He came to make things right where there seemed to be no hope. His death and resurrection bring salvation to all those who choose to accept. That’s not all! When He returns again, He will make things right for all eternity, true consummation for the world.
His rays bring healing. Jesus’ ministry on earth gave us a taste of what eternity will be like. He healed the blind, the lame, the sick, and even raised the dead. What is not brought to full healing now will be fully healed in His resurrection. His rays bring hope beyond the grave.
For the last line of this verse, I want those of you who didn’t grow up on a farm to draw a picture with me in your mind. Calves that are pent up in stalls, when released, go crazy jumping around. The freedom of the pasture overwhelms them with excitement. Better yet, imagine toddlers experiencing the playground after being stuck inside all day. They go out leaping.
The truth is the same for us who experience Christ. He frees us from bondage, and not only is there freedom but there is also JOY. Leaping joy.
This is good news. The sun of righteousness has come and brought forth light that illuminates, heals, and brings joy. And for those of us in Christ, that sun will come down, and we will leap and rejoice in His beauty forever.
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Lord, we are so grateful you sent your Son to bring light and truth to this world. Help us to bask in the rays of righteousness and healing you provide. May we sanctify ourselves as we pursue holiness in you. As we wait for your final coming, help us to leap for joy from the bondage we’ve been broken from. Let us live in the light of eternity. Amen.
Bright and Morning Star
DAY 67 WRITTEN BY: TRE WIGGINS-
Revelation 22:16
I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.
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As we’ve seen a number of times throughout this devotional, Jesus is making some identifying statements about Himself. He wants us to know who He is. This is an incredible mark of God’s grace that we ought not overlook. Not only is God able to be known; He seeks to be known! He desires that we know Him intimately!
Those identifying markers are two-fold: He is the root and descendent of David. What is He telling us? He’s the Davidic King that the Old Testament pointed to. He wants the reader to know that He alone is the Messiah that was prophesied of old.
And because He is the type of King that He is, He has all power. Because He has all power, He is the bright morning star. This bright morning star is intended to signify the beginning of a new day. What kind of new day could Christ be inaugurating? A new redemptive day! Because of His power as King to defeat death and the grave, His resurrection is bringing about a new day for you and me! We can share in the dawning of this new day by repentance and belief in the gospel. As Jesus was resurrected, our bodies will be glorified one day as well. What a cause of celebration! All because of the kindness of the root of David, the bright morning star.
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Father, what a wonder Jesus is to us! He has brought about the inauguration of the already-and-not-yet Kingdom that He is presiding over. What He began with His incarnation, death, and resurrection, He will consummate with His return. Thank you, Father, for seeing fit to send this King on our behalf. Our joy is made full in Him today!
Tree of Life
DAY 66 WRITTEN BY: VINNY VARSALONA-
Revelation 2:7
Anyone who has an ear should listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. I will give the victor the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in God’s paradise.
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Are you hearing? The Bible tells us, “Long ago, God spoke” (Hebrews 1:1) God spoke separating light from darkness, land from seas, and assembling Adam from dust. God spoke making Abraham the father of nations, delivering Isreal from Pharoah, and revealing the magnitude of his majesty, the proportion of His power, and the breadth of His beauty to Job. That being said, with His words God creates, provides, rescues, and captivates the hearts of His children who listen; displaying His love, care, and purpose for each of us. I ask again, are you hearing?
In the days of old God spoke through the prophets, individuals appointed to declare His promise of the coming Messiah, and He who promised is faithful. Christ, being the radiance of God, fulfilled every prophesy foretelling His life, perfectly obeyed the law, and equips all those who place their faith in Him to become like Him. By using his words Christ performed miracles of healing, prophesied about His death and resurrection, and gave lessons; all of which saving and sactifying all those in Christ. From those who walked with Him physically to us who walk with Him spiritually today. Through the Cross He won the victory over sub and death, restoring His children and making us righteous before the Father.
The New Testament authors listened to Christ, believed in the promise of heaven, and found unique purposes with the common goal of sharing the Gospel.
As Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (1:6) and to the Ephesians, “For we are his workamanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which god prepared ahead of time for us to do.” (2:10) Now I ask, are you hearing? And are you trusting what the Spirit says? Like the Apostles, we can boldly approach the throne and trust the Father to give us a calling and eternal purpose today whether we’re a young mother at home taking care of the family while our husband works to make ends meet, freshly retired and unsure of how we ought to spend our time until we join the saints in paradise, or opening businesses and starting new jobs, trying to discern if this is truly what the Lord would have us doing in this season.
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Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me. Help me to draw near and hear your word with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Allow your word to clean my heart from an evil conscience and respond to your call for me on this season with joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
A Witness to the People
DAY 65 WRITTEN BY: LEE WELBORN-
Isaiah 55:4
See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples.
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Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, God raised up a prophet named Isaiah. Because of his vivid imagery, his mastery of language and command of the written word, Isaiah is referred to as the Prince of Prophets and the Shakespeare of the Bible. Isaiah is quoted in the New Testament more than any other prophet. Jesus himself quoted Isaiah many times, which is a sure sign that Jesus wants us to spend time meditating on his words. Through Isaiah, God communicated to the world that a Messiah was coming.
Isaiah chapter 55 was a call to the people of his day to come to God, but the message is timeless and meant for future generations as well. God promises to make an everlasting covenant with the hearers of his words because of his faithful love and promise to David. At first glance, Isaiah seems to be describing David, but look at the words he uses. “See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a ruler and commander of the peoples.” David lived 300 years before Isaiah. David died long before Isaiah wrote verse 4. God, through his prophet Isaiah, must be describing Jesus. Isaiah may not have been given his name, but God clearly revealed the coming Messiah’s nature and mission to him.
In court, a witness gives testimony of what he has personally seen and heard. Isaiah is prophesying that a witness is coming soon who will testify about the Almighty God he has personally seen and heard. That witness’s name is Jesus.
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Father, thank you for giving Isaiah visions of you, of your son Jesus, and of future events. Thank you for inspiring him to write them down so that I could read them today. Thank you for making an everlasting covenant with us, a promise that we can rely on, that Jesus’s shed blood has paid the price for our sins in full, and because of him we are reconciled to you. Amen.
Teacher
DAY 64 WRITTEN BY: JACOB BAGLEY-
John 13:13
You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am.
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Jesus is affirming an assumption made about him by his disciples. The disciples understood Jesus’ purpose and position. This understanding of purpose and position also led them to look at Jesus with reverence. He is teacher, therefore he should be trusted. He is Lord, therefore he should be respected.
There was something very important going on in this moment though. This wasn't just some sort of encouragement session or positive affirmation circle. This is the moment that Jesus is in the middle of washing the disciples feet. This was a moment of sincere humility, and one that left the disciples baffled. Jesus does not proclaim his position as teacher and Lord in order to assert dominance, he does it in order to demonstrate humility. Jesus, our teacher and Lord, reminds us about humbly serving our neighbors and our enemies. Jesus didn’t just wash the feet of his loyal friends, he also washed the feet of the one who he knew would betray him, Judas.
If Jesus is truly our Teacher, we should learn from him. If he is truly our Lord we should revere him. If we revere him we should take seriously the way we learn from him. If we learn from him we will trust that we must revere him. The beautiful cycle of the Christian faith is that the more we learn to follow Jesus the more we will desire to follow him. The more we follow him the more we will desire to learn from him.
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Lord, give me a heart that desires to learn. I want to be drawn closer to you through the knowledge of your goodness. Jesus, I want to serve how you served, and I want to love how you love. Give me opportunities to serve, for it is through this service that I know I will be drawn closer to you.
Messiah
DAY 63 WRITTEN BY: MARIE BRUNER-
Daniel 9:25
So you are to know and understand that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until Messiah the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with streets and moat, even in times of distress.
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Daniel is living in exile in Babylon. He realizes that the exile is coming to a close after reading the book of Jeremiah. Soon, Israel will be restored to their land and their victory will depend upon their repentance…repentance for the very sins that put them in exile in the first place.
Daniel knows that Israel has not yet repented and he does what he always does, he prays. He doesn’t ask God to overlook their sins, Daniel simply asks that the Lord restore them in keeping with prophecy. Daniel reminds God that He is a covenant-keeping Father who has lovingly and faithfully dealt with Israel during all of their times of weakness and failure.
God graciously sends the angel Gabriel to Daniel to provide insight and understanding. Gabriel illumines Daniel regarding the plan of redemption that is on the horizon; God has a plan to solve the problem of sin in the fullness of time and that plan is the Messiah.
According to the revelation that Daniel received, the death of the Messiah (also called “the Anointed One” in some translations) will establish a strong covenant that will end sacrifices, put an end to sin, and bring in everlasting righteousness.
The Messiah, the one who was set apart for the purpose of redemption, has come. He completed His task of putting an end to sin by dying on the cross and defeating death through His resurrection. Although the Israelites as a nation have not accepted Jesus as Messiah, Romans 6:10 declares “For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God.”
Daniel was privy to the eternal plan that God set into place at the beginning of time. God outlined it to him because Daniel was in the right posture – he was reading the Word and in prayer. God revealed Himself and His plans to a righteous man who was confessing not only his sins, but those of his nation (See Daniel 9:4-6). We have that same access to God through confession of sin, constant prayer, and meditation on His Word – God will reveal Himself to us when we are seeking Him…confessing sin…talking to Him…reading His Word. And isn’t that what we want? More of Him?
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Father in Heaven, I want more of You! May I glean through the fields of Your Word daily in order to know more about You, Your character, and Your dealings with mankind. May I lean into the sanctification process that You are doing in my life and may my life be marked by prayer…that prayer that never ceases. Thank You for Jesus, our Messiah and Redeemer, the Anointed One who sacrificed Himself and paid the penalty for my sin and those of the whole world. Spirit, quicken my heart so that I never take that for granted.
The Shepherd of the Sheep
DAY 62 WRITTEN BY: AMANDA WHITE-
Hebrews 13:20-21
Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus - the great Shepherd of the sheep - through the blood of the everlasting covenant, equip you with everything good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
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The author of Hebrews paints a beautiful picture here at the end of his letter - Jesus as our great Shepherd. He expresses confidence in Jesus to lead and equip His sheep to do God’s will, be pleasing to Him, and glorify Him. This confidence is based on the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is the good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:14-15). Through the shedding of the blood of Jesus, we have forgiveness of sins under the everlasting (new) covenant. Jesus extends this free gift of salvation to all people, and everyone who accepts this gift is a sheep in the great Shepherd’s fold.
Jesus, as our great Shepherd, works in us what is pleasing in His sight. As His sheep, we are dependent on Him to work in us faith as He equips us with everything good to do His will. This is a promise of His strength to do all He calls us to, and faith to persevere to the end. It’s a promise of His protection, care, provision, guidance as we follow the great Shepherd’s voice.
Sheep are needy, dependent, vulnerable creatures with a tendency to wonder. They have to have a shepherd in order to be led anywhere. And they have to have a good shepherd who will lead them in the way that’s best for them. God intends for us to remain like needy sheep, fully dependent on the great Shepherd. It’s easy for us to become self-sufficient, less needy sheep who rely on outside sources to lead us. But why does God intend for us to remain like sheep? For His glory. And He is deserving of all the glory forever and ever.
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Heavenly Father, you are worthy of all glory and honor and praise. Thank you for Jesus, my great Shepherd, who lovingly leads, protects, provides, and cares for me and equips me to do everything good. Help me to remain a needy sheep, fully dependent on the great Shepherd.
Redeemer
DAY 61 WRITTEN BY: TRE WIGGINS-
Job 19:25
For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
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Sometimes faith is viewed as the antithesis to certainty. After all, not one person living has ever “seen” God. That’s often given as a “gotcha” to people who try to share their faith with others. Those receiving the message counter with, “well, if you could just show me proof, I would believe.” This, of course, isn’t true. The Old Testament (and the New Testament, frankly) is full of “proofs” for God, in His specific revealing of Himself to His people, only to see their unfaithfulness to Him time and again.
Still, just because we have faith doesn’t mean we can’t have certainty. Here’s what the Apostle wrote in 1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” So that you MAY KNOW. Job’s confidence was in his certainty that his Redeemer was alive. Do we share in that same confidence? Where is our hope in such a statement? Here’s an elementary answer: “for the Bible tells me so.” And it’s sufficient!
Our hope is in the certainty we have that Jesus lives. We know He lives because the Bible tells us He does. We are primarily confident in that. We also have the assurance of what His Spirit has done in our lives through our belief in Him. We know He lives in us.
We can have assurance, but it takes faith. Our faith stakes itself on a Redeemer who lives. And because He lives, our hope is certain.
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Father, we bank our lives on the fact that Jesus lives. We know He died for our sins, but on the third day, He rose again in victory. If Jesus is dead, all is for naught. We know that the grave is empty, sin and death are defeated, and we will one day be with You to enjoy You forever in eternal bliss. Thank you for the life and death and the life of Jesus!
Savior
DAY 60 WRITTEN BY: AARON BROOME-
Luke 2:11
Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
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My co-worker sure is my savior for having those notes ready for the monthly meeting. This new company is going to be a savior for the economy of our small town. There are several other examples that I'm sure come to mind when you personally think about a time when someone saved you from impending consequences. In light of this devotional and fasting, it's trivial to think about the word 'savior' in these ways when we consider what God the Father did for us.
In Luke 2, we find ourselves in the 400 years of silence. For the last 400 years God had not spoken to his people-- not through visions, angels, prophets, or even donkeys (Numbers 22). The people of God were stuck trying (and failing) to obey the Law. They had proven time and time again that they did not have the ability to consistently listen to and obey God, and this continued their cycle of sin that was causing separation with God. Now, they were living in a world that, based on the evidence around them, was completely hopeless. If I were living during those times, I would seriously be asking myself, “Does God even love me?”
Finally, God speaks. He didn’t speak in a loud booming voice or as a king from a heavenly kingdom come to Earth. His voice on Earth started out as the soft coos of a baby (or if you’re a parent, you know it was probably a blood-curdling scream). God sent us a savior for our sin in the form of God the Son incarnate. He became fully flesh to dwell among us, and his name was Jesus Christ. He would fulfill the Law and die on a cross to forever atone for our sins saving us from being eternally separated from God.
So why did the God of the universe send us a savior? Because he loves you unconditionally and sacrificially. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
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God you are the one and only savior of our eternal souls. Your love for us is not dependent on our love for you first. Thank you for loving me while I was still a sinner.
The Lord of Glory
DAY 59 WRITTEN BY: MARIE BRUNER-
1 Corinthians 2:8
None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, because if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
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The Corinthians were a highly intellectual group of people who came from a society based on a blend of rational thought and human lusts. When they became believers, the Corinthians attempted to merge rationalistic human philosophy and sensual practices with their newfound faith. Paul’s letter to them was to implore them to cut ties with their former way of life, both morally and philosophically, because it was based on human wisdom – a poor and incompetent substitute for godly wisdom.
Paul’s thesis statement appears in verse 8 of 1 Corinthians 2; basically, he states that the human wisdom of their age could not comprehend spiritual things at all. If there had been a fragment of godly wisdom, the “Lord of glory” would not have been crucified, nullifying the essence of their redemption. The two worlds cannot and should not co-exist and Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection are essential to believers.
The King of Glory had been declared and described long before he appeared on the scene, foreshadowed in both Psalm 24:8-10 and Psalm 96. Think about it: The Lord’s glory includes strength, might, marvelous deeds, majesty, holiness, and faithfulness. Wrapped up in glory are all the attributes and actions of a Sovereign God who is working for our good and His glory…in the person of Jesus.
Not only did Jesus possess God’s glory, His very presence revealed God’s glory to everyone He encountered (John 17:5 & John 1:14). The Lord of Glory continues to reveal His glory to His followers and…because He indwells us, He reveals His glory in and through us.
What the Corinthians believed was simplistic and beneath their philosophically advanced minds is actually mind-boggling and can only be comprehended with the spiritual mind; we are constantly being transformed into His image with “ever-increasing glory”. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Ultimately, what Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 1:18 makes even more sense in light of the Lord of Glory: “For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.”
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God of glory, thank You for giving us spiritual eyes to see truth. May we never endeavor to add the world’s philosophies and practices to our walk with You, accepting a cheap substitute that will only lead us away from You. What You did for and continue to do in us because of Jesus is beyond understanding; thank You for confirming Your purposes in our hearts through our time in Your Word and in prayer.
The Faithful Witness
DAY 58 WRITTEN BY: CASEY MCCONNELL-
Psalm 89:36-37
His offspring will continue forever, his throne like the sun before me, like the moon, established forever, a faithful witness in the sky.
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The psalmist, Ethan the Ezrahite, is believed to be a contemporary of Solomon who lived during the reign of King David. Here, he speaks of the covenant God made with David, promising to build and establish his kingdom for all eternity. While Israel had experienced God’s strength and God’s power at one time (v.13), the psalmist fears that, given Israel’s current hardships, God’s favor and His divine power may no longer be with them (v.38).
This possibility was certainly a frightening one for Ethan. In our trials and tender seasons, God’s faithfulness is something we have probably contemplated, too. But God’s Word offers us great hope. God promises that he will not withdraw His faithful love nor violate His covenant with David. And if we are in Christ, who is the everlasting descendant of David, then God’s promises have also been extended to us. How can we be sure of this? Because God has sworn this oath by HIS holiness (v.35).
In the same way the moon was placed carefully in the sky by our Creator, and has endured from the moment time began, so too will God’s faithfulness to us endure. The fulfillment of God’s promises is not a distant hope, it is a present reality. Even now, God is faithfully working to establish, to strengthen, to provide, to restore, and to keep His people. God has given us the moon as a reference of time, but it also serves as a visual reminder of His faithfulness to us. Just as we can trust God to continue to illuminate the moon in the sky each day, we can trust that what God has promised us, He will be faithful to fulfill. God is faithful yesterday, today, and forever.
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Heavenly Father, thank you for Your unending faithfulness. Thank you for the hope and the assurance I have in Jesus, the enduring successor to Your everlasting throne. Because of Christ, I have been made an heir of salvation and righteousness, and through Your Spirit, I have been given access to Your divine power and strength. Would You increase my dependence on You today and help me to trust that You will be faithful to see me through even the most impossible circumstances? As sure as the moon is in the sky, so can I be sure that You are with me, You are for me, and You will never forsake me.
A Ransom
DAY 57 WRITTEN BY: IAN SCHNEIDER-
Mark 10:45
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
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In Mark 10:32-45, we encounter a profound teaching moment from Jesus, addressing the request of brothers James and John for positions of honor. This passage reveals a stark contrast between worldly views of leadership and the kingdom values Jesus embodied and taught.
Here, Jesus is on His journey to Jerusalem, aware of the impending suffering and death that await Him. James and John’s misguided request, along with the indignation from the other ten disciples, provides Jesus with an opportunity to redefine the concepts of greatness and leadership.
This passage, culminating in Mark 10:45, illuminates the essence of Christlike leadership - servanthood. Jesus, the Son of Man, presents the ultimate model: He did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). This statement encapsulates the heart of the Gospel - Jesus’ sacrificial love by taking our place for our sins and His call to selfless service.
Understanding Jesus’ teaching in this context calls for a reevaluation of our own aspirations and attitudes toward leadership and greatness. True greatness, as modeled by Jesus, is found not in power or status, but in serving others selflessly. This is a radical departure from worldly views that equate greatness with dominance and authority. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate this servant-leadership, prioritizing the needs of others and seeking to serve rather than be served.
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Holy Spirit, help me to strive to embody Christ’s example of servant leadership. Help me to actively seek opportunities to serve others in humility, setting aside personal ambitions for power, recognition, and stature. Let this mindset guide my actions and interactions, modeling Jesus' sacrificial love and service in my relationships, work, and community. May I constantly be reminded that in serving others, I serve you Jesus, and help me to walk in the presence of God, under His authority, and for His glory. Amen.
Author and Finisher of Our Faith
DAY 56 WRITTEN BY: MARIE BRUNER-
Hebrews 12:2
keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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Today’s passage follows a verse that reminds us that life is a race of perseverance; not a short jog – a marathon. The sports analogy was relevant to the Jewish believers in the first century who were familiar with running competitions as much as it is to us today. Due to persecution, they were tempted to give up and return to familiar Judaism, but the writer of Hebrews encourages them to endure.
Chapter 11 of Hebrews was a summary of Jewish history to remind the readers of those who had lived by faith. The writer of Hebrews segues into practical application in an atmosphere of intense persecution. Not only does He use the athletic metaphor of racing, but he also reminds them of the One who endured humiliation and torture yet remained faithful until His mission was complete.
When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” He was crossing the finish line of His earthly race. He was then able to claim His prize – a seat at the right hand of God the Father. His race had been arduous, but He faithfully walked in obedience to God’s will and plan for His life.
The writer of Hebrews reminds us that we, too, are called to obedience despite adversity. Our race will not be easy despite any gospels that preach otherwise. The only way to win the race is to stay focused…not on the pain, not on the struggle, not on the trials (because there will be plenty), but on Jesus Himself – the One who initiated our faith and sanctifies us.
That’s the “joy that lays before us” – Jesus understood that His suffering would produce redemption and that brought Him joy in the struggle. If we understand that our perseverance results in a deeper and more intimate relationship with God, then we also can be joyful in adversity. We can see the finish line and the reward at the end of our race – more of Him and His presence, both now and eternally.
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Father, I want to run this race well. Help me have faith in You, trusting that you are always working for my good and Your glory. May I trust in You and focus on You so intently that I am not sidetracked by sin. I trust You, who initiated my faith, to complete the work that You began because You are faithful.
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