26th June 2026

Giving Good For Evil

"Do not repay evil with evil

1 Peter 3:9

Today's Bible Reading: 1 Samuel 24:1-7.

A gentleman who had held many important positions in public life had been seriously wronged by a prominent politician. Angry over what had happened, he went to speak with a friend. He told him about the wrong that had been done to him and explained that he was thinking about how to respond in a bitter and resentful way. Then he asked, “Would it be manly for me to resent this?” His friend replied, “Yes, it would be manly to resent it — but it would be godlike to forget it.”

In the Bible passage before us today, there are three things to take note of.

First: David chose to let God be his example. When Saul entered a cave to attend to his needs, he did not know that David and his 400 men were hiding in the recesses of that cavern (v 3). David had him at a severe disadvantage and his men urged him to seize the opportunity to take revenge on his enemy. But David refused. Rather than seeking to repay Saul for the evil he had done him, he secretly cut off a piece of Saul's robe (as proof of what he could have done) and allowed the king to leave without knowing how close he had been to death (v 4). Only later did Saul realize the mercy David had shown.

Second: God's way is to show mercy rather than extract vengeance. In Romans 5:8, the Bible says: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Even while we were God's enemies, He had compassion for us and provided a way of salvation.

Third: Are you thinking about getting even with someone? Do not do it. Try God's way instead. Return good for evil. Someday you will be glad you did.

Prayer: Father, When I am wronged by others, help me to leave things in Your almighty hands. In Jesus name I ask. Amen.

25th June 2026

Inner Strife

"Pride goes before destruction,

and a haughty spirit before a fall."

Proverbs 16:18

Today's Bible Reading: Psalm 139.

David, king of ancient Israel, found himself in the midst of a confused national situation. His kingdom was torn by internal strife. Slave hated master; master hated slave. People blamed the government, and government blamed the people. David looked about him and saw that every man thought himself perfect. Each individual placed blame upon other individuals. David knew that if sinful pride continued to increase, his nation would collapse spiritually. He knew that economic depression, moral disintegration, or military defeat inevitably follow spiritual decline. So David turned to God, and it was revealed to him by the Spirit of God that the spiritual tide of his nation could rise no higher than the spiritual level of his own heart. So he fell on his knees in utter humility and prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23,24). I wonder, what is the spirtual level of your heart today?

Prayer: Lord, deliver me from the sin of pride, and fill me with continuing humility as I go about the tasks before me this day. In the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

24th June 2026

The Rod of Jesse

"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,

and a Branch shall grow out of his roots."

Isaiah 11:1

Today's Bible Reading: Isaiah 11:1-2.

During World War II, Hitler's bombers rained destruction upon London from the skies. Over 15,000 people lost their lives and many parts of the city were reduced to rubble. Yet when spring came, an amazing thing happened. Beautiful wildflowers, many of them thought extinct, sprang up in the midst of the devastation. Botanists concluded that the seeds had laid dormant under buildings and other structures until the bomb blasts exposed them and gave them the opportunity to germinate.

Isaiah foresaw a day when Israel also would be devastated. The word for stem means a stump. David's lineage would be decimated. His mighty family tree would be chopped down to a stub. Yet God would be faithful. Out of that "stump" would come the One who would be the Saviour of the world. At a time when civilisation lay devastated by the effects of sin, when the rubble of broken lives would be scattered over the countryside, a Branch from a tree long thought dead would appear with the promise of new life. And so it happened. Paul declared, "But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5).

If the landscape of your life has been ravaged by discouragement and despair, look to Jesus, who is able to bring the hope of new life. Perhaps you have lost a loved one and life looks bleak. Maybe health problems have left you feeling like you're living in a war zone. Or family problems have created craters deep enough to swallow you whole. God will still be faithful to you. Give Him the "stump" of your life and watch Him grow a healthy and prosperous branch. Only the Rod of Jesse can give you such hope. God can bring riches out of rubble.

Prayer: Mighty Lord God, help me to remember, that what ever my situation, You hold me in the palm of Your mighty hand. I bless and praise You, in Christ's name. Amen.