Morning
Verse
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Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! ” 2 Corinthians 1:3
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Reflection
While some Christians say that the Apostle Paul can be "hard to understand," this verse is undeniable clear. We owe God thanks. Why? Because He is merciful; something none of us could spiritually survive without. Additionally, He is the source of all help; again, something we all desperately need.
Notice that Paul doesn't just say that God is "merciful." Rather, he describes Him as "the merciful Father." Paul uses language that we humans should be able to relate to. If your mortal father was a merciful man, you know what that looks like. If, sadly, your dad was not inclined to mercy, you know what the opposite of that looks like-and how God would look in comparison.
In emphasizing the most important aspect of our verse for today, let's look at just a few verses that highlight God's mercy, as evidence of His great love. "God…keeps the covenant of mercy to the thousandth generation" (Deuteronomy 7:9); "All the paths of the Lord are mercy" (Psalm 25:10); "Those who confess and forsake will obtain mercy" (Proverbs 28:13); "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end" (Lamentations 3:22-23); "God…is rich in mercy" (Ephesians 2:4); "He saved us, not because of deeds done by us in righteousness, but in virtue of his own mercy" (Titus 3:5); God is "full of mercy and good fruits" (James 3:17); "By his great mercy he has given us…a living hope through…Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 1:3).
Clearly, God is a God of mercy. He is the source of all help that we receive, and the source of the most important help-in the form of salvation for those who believe. So, "let us give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Need we say more?
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Evening
Verse
Tuesday, Nov 12
Today's Theme: Prayer
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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” Jeremiah 29:11
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Intepretation of the Verse
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
