22nd October 2026

Testimony Time

" Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! ”

Psalm 66:1

Reading: Psalm 66:5–12, 16–20.

Psalm 66 is a worship song praising God for rescuing His people from an enemy threat. It is the testimony of the writer of the Psalm, and is packed with praise as he testifies about what God had done for His people. “Come and see what God has done, His awesome deeds for mankind” (v 5). His deeds included miraculous rescue (v 6), preservation (v 9) and discipline that resulted in His people being brought to a better place (v 10-12). While there are God-experiences that we have in common with other believers in Jesus Christ, there are also things unique to our individual journeys. Have there been times in your life when God has particularly made Himself known to you? Those are worth sharing with others who need to hear how He has worked in your life. “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare to you what He has done for me” (v 16).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I rejoice in the varied expressions of Your kindness to me. Help me not to keep these things to myself. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

21st October 2026

Mementos

" am the Lord, that is My name;

And My glory I will not give to another . . . ”

Isaiah 42:8

Reading: 1 Samuel 4:1–11.

The Israelites had to learn a hard lesson. The Philistine army had just routed them in battle. As Israel reviewed the debacle, someone thought of taking the “ark of the Lord’s covenant” into a rematch (1 Samuel 4:31). That seemed like a good idea (v 6-9). After all, the ark of the covenant was a holy object.

But the Israelites had the wrong perspective. By itself, the ark could not bring them anything. Putting their faith in an object instead of in the presence of the one true God, the Israelites suffered an even worse defeat, and worse the enemy captured the ark (v 10-11).

It is not surprising the Philistines did not know much about God. But it is surprising that the Israelites also demonstrated little knowledge of Him (1 Samuel 4:1-11).1 The Philistines had heard of God’s greatness but misunderstood it. They recalled the plagues He used to free Israel from Egypt more than three hundred years earlier but remembered them as taking place in the wilderness, not in Egypt, and attributed God’s power to “mighty gods” (v 8). Israel mistakenly thought the ark’s presence meant the presence of God Himself (v 3). They were seeking military success instead of seeking the One who brings that success.

Mementos that remind us to pray or to thank God for His goodness are fine. But they are never the source of blessing. That is God—and God alone.

Prayer: Loving Father, forgive me when I am tempted to put my faith in anything but You. In Jesus name. Amen.

20th October 2026

Prayer Examples

"Then he turned his face toward the wall,

and prayed to the Lord . . ."

2 Kings 20:2

Reading: 2 Kings 20:1–7.

Hezekiah’s father was the wicked King Ahaz. But Hezekiah, who reigned for twenty-nine years, is generally considered to have been one of the good kings of Judah (the Southern Kingdom during the divided kingdom era). He enacted important religious reforms, including reopening the temple of Solomon (2 Chronicles 29:3), ordering the removal of idols throughout his kingdom (v 5,15-17), and warning his people not to abandon the true God.

The Bible gives us may examples of how God responded to prayer. One is that king Hezekiah, when he became ill. He had even received word from Isaiah the prophet, saying he was going to die. The king knew what to do: he “prayed to the Lord” (2 Kings 20:22). Immediately, God told Isaiah to give the king this message from Him: “I have heard your prayer” (v 5). Hezekiah was granted fifteen more years of life.

God does not always answer prayers in that way, but He assures us that when difficult situations arise, we do not face them alone. God sees us, and He is with us, and is always attentive to our prayers.

Prayer: Father, thank You for being there and hearing my prayers. In Jesus name. Amen.