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.

23rd June 2026

Faith Pleases God

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him,

for he who comes to God must believe that He is,

and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

Hebrews 11:6

Today's Bible Reading: Romans 10:1-21.

Faith pleases God more than anything else. The Christian life is dependent upon faith. We stand on faith; we live on faith. Faith is loved and honoured by God more than any other single thing. The Bible teaches that faith is the only approach that we have to God. No man has sins forgiven, no man goes to Heaven, no man has assurance of peace and happiness, until he has faith in Jesus Christ. You may be saying, “God, I believe You are great, but I do not believe Your Word; I do not believe what You say.” In order to please God, you must believe Him. Perhaps your faith is small and weak. It does not matter how big your faith is, but rather, where your faith is. Is it in Christ, the Son of God, who died on the cross for your sins? If not, read the Bible, believe the Bible, and put your faith in God today, through His Son, the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord God, may my faith in You and Your abundant promises be ever increasing each day. In Jesus precious name I pray. Amen.