19th October 2026

Liberty

"Therefore, having been justified by faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Romans 5:1

Reading: Romans 8:1-3.

In New York Harbour (USA), stands the statue of Liberty which emphasized the great number of legal immigrants who had left everything behind in their mother countries, arrived in America with nothing but the clothes on their backs, they risked their lives for something they valued and wanted: freedom. They did not take their adopted country’s hard-won freedom for granted.

Christians, likewise, must not take for granted the freedom we have in Christ. Christians around the world recognise that we must forsake our allegiance to this world, leave behind all that it offers, and become citizens of a new kingdom—the Kingdom of God. The “statue of liberty” for believers is represented by the cross of Jesus Christ—where He won the victory over death and declares that sinners can win salvation that comes only from Him. The right way, and the only way, to eternal life is through Christ alone.

Prayer: Almighty and Eternal God, when You save me by the work of Your Son on the cross, You broke the chains of my sins, and gave me liberty. Thank You, in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus. Amen.

18th October 2026

Ultimate Victory

"When they began to sing and to praise,

the Lord set ambushes against the people of

Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir,

who had come against Judah; and they were defeated."

2 Chronicles 20:22

Reading: 2 Chronicles 20:15–22.

At some military camps across Europe during World War II, an unusual type of supply was air-dropped for homesick soldiers—upright pianos. They were specially manufactured to contain only ten percent of the normal amount of metal, and they received special water-resistant glue and anti-insect treatments. The pianos were rugged and simple but provided hours of spirit-lifting entertainment for soldiers who gathered around to sing familiar songs of home.

Singing—especially songs of praise—is one way that believers in Jesus Christ can find peace in our battles too. King Jehoshaphat found this to be true when he faced vast invading armies (2 Chronicles 2). Terrified, the king called all the people together for prayer and fasting (v 3-4). In response, God told him to lead out soldiers to meet the enemy, promising that they would “not have to fight this battle” (v 17). Jehoshaphat believed God and acted in faith. He appointed singers to go ahead of the soldiers and sing praise to God for the victory they believed they would see (v 21). And as their music began, the Lord miraculously defeated their enemies and saved His people (v 22).

Victory does not always come when and how we want it to. But we can always proclaim the Lord's ultimate victory over sin and death that has already been won for us. We can choose to rest in a spirit of worship even in the middle of a war zone.

Prayer: You are stronger than my enemies, dear God. I lift up Your name in faith today. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.

17th October 2026

Conscience

"Having a good conscience . . .."

1 Peter 3:16

Reading: Romans 13:1-6.

What is conscience? God has put within each one of us something that cries aloud against us, whenever we do that which we know to be wrong. Conscience is the detective that watches the direction of our steps and decries every conscious transgression. Conscience is a vigilant eye before which each imagination, thought, and act, is held up for either censure or approval.

I believe there is no greater argument for the existence of God in the world today than conscience. There is no greater proof of the existence of a moral law and Lawgiver in the universe than this little light of the soul. It is God’s voice to the inner man. Conscience is our wisest counsellor and teacher, our most faithful and most patient friend. Ultimately, conscience is the voice of God within us, reminding us that we are accountable to a higher moral law and calling us to walk in truth and righteousness.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for my conscience which guards my actions. Help me to be alert to its promptings, through Your Holy Spirit. In Christ's name, I pray. Amen.