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Psalm 73

Asaph’s writing in Psalm 73 is something probably we all experience at least a little bit as part of our daily lives.  He shares with us how he nearly walked away from God because he was constantly seeing arrogant, corrupt people living their best lives.  These people were healthy, wealthy, no problems, no consequences.  Meanwhile, he was doing everything right and still getting beat up by life.  Sound familiar?  “Why do good things happen to bad people” type behavior.  He felt like following God was pointless.

But right before he was about to go public, or go post on social media in today’s way, he held off.  Instead, he went to the sanctuary, he felt a shift.  He got perspective.  Not new information, but perspective.

He realized the wicked aren’t winning, they are standing on thin ice.  Their prosperity is temporary.  The end of it all is always inevitable.  He even looks back on it and calls himself thoughtless for even envying them in the first place.  Like a big, dumb animal that could never understand the bigger picture.

Here we are in 2026 and Asaph’s testimony rings even truer today than ever.  Back then it was either first-hand experience or word of mouth.  It still is that plus tv, cell phones and social media all at our fingertips.  All the celebrities and billionaires you can fathom.  Even the wealthiest of people sometimes in our communities.

Asaph’s story is black and white.  What seems like perfection vs. what is simply imperfection.  From my experience, I certainly never compare myself to Elon, Bezos or the likes of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.  Good for those guys.  I wish them the best and hope and pray they do have a relationship with Jesus and are generous to the world with their fame and fortune.  I will never truly get to know them on a deeper level.  I can only speak of the people I actually do rub shoulders with, those I do business with or even my ‘friends’ on social media.  The ones who talk about or post all the time about ‘having it all’.

In today’s reality it is sometimes that feeling you get scrolling through Instagram  or Facebook watching people make up stories and cut corners to make it look like it is all hunky dory.  Meanwhile you are grinding and barely keeping it altogether.

It is then that I find myself going to the sanctuary.  For me that is church on Sundays or those few minutes talking with God before I call it a night.  It is then I am reminded than a ‘perfect life’ doesn’t exist and what matters most is the person who I fold my hands together for and bow my head to.  It really makes me think how miserable my life would truly be had I never have known Him.  Simply put, I would just be another fool like the rest of them.  But fortunately, like Asaph said, ‘How good it is to be near God!’

My prayer is that we never, ever forget how good God is, and that we never stop realizing that He loves us and only ever wants the best for us.

Psalm 27 is a declaration of confidence in God when life feels uncertain, threatening, or delayed. David does not pretend there are no enemies, fears, or troubles. He names them plainly. Yet his focus is not on the size of the threat but on the strength of the Lord: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”

Joy appears in David’s deepest desire: to dwell with the Lord and behold His beauty. His joy is not rooted in easy circumstances but in God’s presence. Hope appears as David waits for the Lord, believing that he “would have lost heart” unless he expected to see God’s goodness. Endurance appears in the final command: “Wait on the Lord; be of good courage.” This is not passive waiting. It is courageous trust while the answer is still unfolding.

Psalm 27 reminds me that strength is not always loud, fast, or forceful. Sometimes strength looks like worshiping while afraid, praying while confused, and waiting without giving up. God’s presence gives joy. God’s character gives hope. God’s faithfulness gives endurance.

How does joy, hope, or endurance appear as strength in this passage?
They appear as a steady confidence that God is greater than fear, delay, opposition, and uncertainty.

How will I practice it?
I will practice it by turning fear into prayer, choosing worship before worry, and waiting on the Lord with courage instead of trying to control every outcome.

Joshua 1

The book of Joshua starts with some sad news on the banks of the Jordan river outside of the promised land. The leader of the people, Moses, was now dead and it was time for God to raise up the next leader. Moses struck the rock in Kadesh and because he did not hallow God in the eyes of the children of Israel, he would not enter the promised land (Num. 20:12). Moses is a type of the Law. The Law is a good teacher for us to see our sin, but it will net get us into heaven. Joshua is a type of Christ who leads us to the promised land.

God speaks directly with Joshua as He did with Moses. In verse 3 He states, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” In verse 5 God states, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” God will keep His promises. Using Paul’s words (Rom. 3:4), “Let God be true and every man a liar.” God doesn’t just make promises with His people, but he also makes commands for them. Let’s look at a couple.

In verse 2 the first command is to arise and to cross the Jordan. The second command is a major theme in the book of Joshua: be strong and courageous. The third command God gives to Joshua is to keep the law and to not turn to the right or left. This command is extended. God says that the book of the law should not leave their lips and they should be meditating on it day and night. God concludes this section of commands by telling Joshua to not be afraid nor dismayed. Let’s look at some promises that aid Joshua in keeping these commands.

God tells Joshua that He will never leave him nor forsake him. This is the key promise. Joshua could go and conquer in Canaan because God would not leave them nor forsake them. Joshua could be strong and courageous because God would not leave them nor forsake them. Joshua could keep the law while having a relationship with God because he knew God would not leave them nor forsake them. God tells Joshua that his obedience to the law would lead him to success. God’s law has a good and wise design, so it should not surprise us to hear that if you keep his commands things will go well for you. This is not to say that there were not times when Joshua faced suffering and pain, but there is a blessing when you keep God’s commands. And no, don’t think this is prosperity gospel. You must do some gymnastics to interpret this as a promise for financial blessing.

As you read through the Bible yourself, look for specific promises that you should take hold of and commands you need to keep! Be strong and courageous!

Today’s passage: Exodus 17

“Then Amalek came and fought with Israel at Rephidim. So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose for us men, and go out and fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand.” So Joshua did as Moses told him, and fought with Amalek, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side. So his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.”

‭‭Exodus‬ ‭17‬:‭8‬-‭12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I’m tired. 

I can’t go on.

When will this be over? 

These are some of the words and phrases that we say constantly when we are going through something or experiencing something that is not manageable. 

We are human. 

We are vulnerable. 

We are fallible. 

We get tired and frustrated and distraught. But in this passage, we see that God gives us the ability to persevere, but he also has resources that are there to help hold us up, Aaron and Hur. 

No matter what we’re going through God has sent support to us in the midst of our battles and our troubles.

 The thing that we have to do is to allow others to support us when we are in need.

Be Blessed

Revelation 19

In Revelation 19, Jesus is called:

• “Faithful and True” (v.11)
• “The Word of God” (v.13)
• “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (v.16)

His names reveal who He is and how we experience Him. Yet even with all the names we know, there is still a mystery about Him. Revelation says He has a name written that no one knows but Himself (v.12). And even if we knew it, could we fully understand it?

Many of His names describe what He does for us:

• Avenger — He fights the battle against the enemy.
• Rescuer — He pulls us from the grip of evil.
• Conqueror — He defeats the beast and overcomes all opposition.
• Just Judge — He deals righteously with sin and unrighteousness.

His names aren’t merely titles; they are revelations of His character and His work.

The question for us is: What do you call Him?

Revelation 4

In Revelation 4, John describes his vision like something from a Black Mirror episode, almost like a different dimension.  A voice says, “Come up here”, and suddenly instead of being on Earth, he is in the throne room of God.

I have heard this room/experience depicted as the most overwhelming, awe-inspiring place.  Kind of like coming up on the Grand Canyon or a pack super bowl stadium with your favorite team playing – then multiply that by infinity!

God is sitting on his throne and John can’t truly paint the picture to us what he sees.  The closest he gets is gemstones and light.  Jasper(clear/crystal) and carnelian(deep red) surrounded by an emerald green rainbow.  More like radiance – a pure, overwhelming, beautiful presence.

Around God’s throne are 24 elders. They are ready to throw their crowns down for every moment that God is praised as a reminder – “whatever authority we have came from Him, and it belongs back to Him”.  In front of the throne, a sea of glass, clear as crystal.  Some believe it is a barrier representing an uncrossable distance.  Others see it as a mirror, reflecting perfect clarity and peace.

Then some super unnatural imagery!  Four creatures, covered in eyes from front to back.  Never stopping, never blinking and representing the highest and best of all creation:

• Lion – wild/majestic(apex of wild animals)
• Ox – strength/service(apex of domestic animals)
• Man – intelligence/dignity(apex of humanity)
• Eagle – speed/freedom(apex of birds)

Bowing before God and constantly saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty – who was, and is, and is to come.”

The throne room of God is the most powerful place in existence — filled with radiance, lightning, and non-stop worship from every corner of creation. Before God reveals anything about the future, He makes one thing unmistakably clear: He is holy, He is sovereign, and He has always been in control. No matter what’s coming, the throne is never empty.

Hebrews 1 lifts our eyes above changing circumstances to the unchanging rule of Christ. God is not distant, silent, or unsure. He has spoken fully through His Son, who is “the radiance of God’s glory” and the exact imprint of His nature. Jesus is not merely watching history unfold; He is upholding all things by His powerful word.

This chapter shows that God rules over circumstances through the authority of His Son. The same Christ who created all things also sustains all things. The same Savior who purified our sins now sits at the right hand of Majesty. That means our lives are not held together by our planning, strength, timing, or control. They are held together by Him.

Hebrews 1 also reminds us that Jesus is greater than every spiritual power, every earthly authority, and every fear that feels bigger than us. His throne is forever. His kingdom is righteous. His reign is not threatened by uncertainty.

So where do I need to surrender control? I need to surrender the places where I act as if everything depends on me: outcomes I cannot force, people I cannot change, futures I cannot predict, and burdens I was never meant to carry.

Lord, help me trust that Jesus is not only Savior, but King. Teach me to release my grip, rest under His rule, and believe that what He upholds is safer than what I try to control.