8th October 2026

Tress of Rightiousness

"They may be called trees of righteousness,

the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."

Isaiah 61:3

Bible Reading: Isaiah 61:1–4.

Overnight on 15 October 1987, one hundred mile-per-hour (160 kilometres) winds ravaged the south of England. Around 15 million trees were uprooted or blown down, including six of the seven oaks that gave the toen of Sevenoaks its name. But later the magnificent trees were replanted to honour the name of the town.

The “Oak tree” was one way that Isaiah, the Old Testament prophet, described the Israelites. God’s people were called to uphold His name among neighbouring nations by yielding to His ways. But they rebelled, becoming instead like a fading oak (Is 1:30) and were uprooted by the Babylonian invasion.

How tender Isaiah’s words must have seemed in their exile, as he promised they would once again “be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord” (61:3). God would heal their broken hearts (v 1) and bring them comfort (v 2-3). He would replant them “for the display of his splendour” (v 3). They received this promise when God restored them to Israel; we can receive the gift of this prophecy as fulfilled through the Lord Jesus.

When we feel displaced from secure circumstances or robbed of treasured relationships, we can know restoration and reassurance through Christ. He gives us “joy instead of mourning” and “praise instead of . . . despair” (Is 1:3). And He plants us where we live and work as spiritual oaks of righteousness, to influence others with His goodness, love and truth.

Prayer: Dear God, help me deepen my roots in Your word through Your Spirit within me, so that I may help others to know You and to flourish in the goodness of Your presence. In Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.

7th October 2026

Bread of Life

"I am the living bread which came down from Heaven."

John 6:51

In John 6:48 we read that the Lord Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Jesus had just fed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fishes. They were all excited and thrilled over the great miracle that had occurred, [but] Jesus was talking about something more important than social needs. Bread in the Scriptures is a symbol of spiritual life.

Man has an inborn hunger for God. He cannot be satisfied with anything less than God. God alone can supply the bread which satisfies the inner longing of your soul and the hunger of your heart. . . . The Bible says that He is the Bread of Life (v 48).

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for satisfying the yearnings deep down in my heart. Your presence fulfils the needs of my soul, and I rejoice. Amen.

6th October 2026

Cure Discouragement

"Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage . . ."

Psalm 27:8

Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 31:1-8.

Discouragement is nothing new. Many of the great Bible characters became discouraged. Moses in the Sinai desert; Joseph when he was thrown into a pit; Elijah when he heard Jezebel was searching for him to take his life; and David when his son Absalom rebelled against him. It is as old as the history of man. 

There is often a cause for discouragement. It comes many times when we don’t get our way, when things don’t work out the way we want them to. Discouragement is the opposite of faith. It is Satan’s device to thwart the work of God in your life. Discouragement blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavourable circumstances. 

I have never met anyone who spent time in daily prayer, and in the study of the Word of God, and was strong in faith, who was ever discouraged for very long. 

Prayer:Father, when I am discouraged, take away the blindness of my wavering faith. You are with me always. Forgive my ungrateful heart. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.