Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:7
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. —Psalm 34:7 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God is present with us through the Holy Spirit and through his protecting angels. We don’t always see him, but we can know he is with us! He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6). He knows us inside and out and chooses to be with us in every situation (Psalm 139:1-23). Not only is our heavenly Father present with us, the angel of the LORD, who destroyed many enemies of God’s people in ancient times is now fighting to win the spiritual battles raging around you and me. God’s angels are servants sent to bless us (Hebrews 1:13-14). Along with the Holy Spirit, they help us overcome the evil one, empowering us through our struggles and past those struggles (Ephesians 3:14-21). Through their help, our LORD will bring us his deliverance! We know that the ” angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.” My Prayer… Give me faith, dear Father, to believe that your heavenly messengers are around me to deliver me to you with glory and great joy. Help me persevere because I know you are with me and are empowering me through the Holy Spirit’s presence within me. Thank you, in Jesus’ name. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:6
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. —Psalm 34:6 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… So few hear the cry of the poor or respond to the plight of the disadvantaged. If we are going to be true children of our Father, his values must become our own values (James 1:9-10, 2:1-9). The Father’s lost sheep must become our quest (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7). The Father’s wounded, broken, and impoverished sheep must be our priority for love (1 John 3:16-18). Let’s help those around us who are in need of finding God’s generous grace. They desperately need to know that when they call upon God, they are not forgotten. Let’s be our Father’s delivery system of grace and his partners in keeping this promise: “This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.” My Prayer… Gracious and Holy Father, please use me to be a delivery system for your grace to others. Give me a heart for the kinds of people Jesus welcomed and a willingness to help them generously in their times of need. I pray this in the name of Jesus, your lavish gift of grace. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:5
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. —Psalm 34:5 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We are like the moon; the glory we show is the reflection of the LORD’s greater glory in our lives. The brightness of our light does not originate in us. This radiant light of God’s glory is a blessing to others as it is reflected from us and through us. Let’s look to God for our hope, our strength, our values, our foundation, our security, and our light. When we do, we will shine like the brightest stars in the night sky (Philippians 2:14-16). My Prayer… Father, I look for you and to you in my life today. Be near me as I face challenges and temptations. Don’t let the evil one bring me shame because of my past sins and my present weaknesses. Please triumph over evil in my life for your glory. As I look to you, please reflect your radiant glory through me, and from me, to others who need to know you. In Jesus’ name, I ask expectantly. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. —Psalm 34:4 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Have you sought the LORD today? Have you sought the LORD lately? Many of us have recently committed to turning our lives over to him, as seen on a previous Verse of the Day devotional. How have you done at keeping that commitment? God promises wisdom to those who ask and don’t doubt (James 1:5-6). Have you asked for wisdom recently? Let’s join our hearts together, and with the Spirit’s intercession as we seek our Father, so that we can honor and glorify him. Let’s find our blessings in his answers to our prayers, his wisdom he grants us in his grace, and his presence in our daily lives. When we do, our fears begin to melt into the sea of his grace and our praise! My Prayer… Majesty on high, the Holy One of Israel, my Father and my God, I seek you with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I want to know you more completely. I want to fully respond to your leading and your will in my life. Be near me today, O God. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:3
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together. —Psalm 34:3 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Isn’t it good that we can sing alone and know God loves our songs! Isn’t it even better that we can join others in songs of praise and lose ourselves in wonder, love, and joy, knowing that the Holy Spirit fills us and joins us in this praise (Ephesians 5:17-21). Let’s spend today finding other believers and praising God together. All around the world and hundreds of thousands strong,* let’s reach out as the Verse of the Day family to other believers and ask them to join us in glorifying the LORD! * Our Verse of the Day family is composed of people from over 190 countries, in 15 languages, and with approximately 300,000 daily participants, so let’s praise God all around the world today and invite others to join us! Video Commentary… ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos My Prayer… Almighty and merciful God, please be pleased with our praise and our attempts to join others in bringing you glory. Forgive us for our sins, slips, and slights. Empower us to be living witnesses to your magnificent grace and invite others to join in our praise to you. In Jesus’ name, we ask this. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:2
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice. —Psalm 34:2 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… We have no basis to boast in our own might. We can’t preserve our lives. We can’t topple kingdoms. We can’t see the edge of the heavens. We can’t determine the future or change the past. So, what do we have to boast about? The LORD! We are living proof of his grace and mercy. He saved us when we didn’t deserve it, he rescued us from sin and death when we had no power to preserve our lives, and he has promised us a home with him forever. Those in sorrow, brokenness, and night can look at us and rejoice, because we are living proof that God saves sinners, lifts up the disheartened, and mends the broken. Praise the LORD for his glory. Praise the LORD for his grace. My Prayer… LORD, we thank you! Thank you for all that you have done for us. Let others see your work in us and understand that you can do a great thing in them, as well. In Jesus’ precious name, we rejoice in you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 34:1
I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips. —Psalm 34:1 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… One way to keep our life on track and our hearts surrendered to the will and work of God is to joyously praise (“extol”) our glorious LORD continually. Let’s put our praise for the LORD on our lips with songs and memorized scriptures. Let’s tell his remarkable and glorious deeds to our children, grandchildren, and friends. Let’s give him thanks for all that he has done for us. Just as surely as the LORD is with us always (Psalm 139:1-24), let’s praise him always (Colossians 3:17). My Prayer… Almighty God, eternal and loving Father, I praise you for your great and incredible creativity displayed in your creation. I marvel at your vastness and incomprehensible glory revealed in the great expanse of the heavens. Thank you for your power, mercy, faithfulness, and grace demonstrated by your care for your people and the sending of your Son as you promised. You are wonderful. You are awesome. You are majestic. You are the LORD Most High! Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, I extol you. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 119:30
I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. —Psalm 119:30 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Yesterday we committed to follow the LORD Jesus wholeheartedly. Let’s not forget it and slip back into old habits and destructive patterns. Let’s choose the way of truth again today, and tomorrow, and each day until we go home to be with him! Let’s set our hearts on Jesus, follow his example, obey his words, and invite the Holy Spirit to conform us to his character as we seek to become JESUShaped disciples (Matthew 7:21; Luke 11:28; 2 Corinthians 3:18). My Prayer… Righteous Father, your way and your Word are my source of life and guidance. I choose your will, your truth, and your Son, today. Help Jesus, please come alive in me, through joyful obedience and transformation to be like you. In the name of my LORD and Christ, I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Matthew 10:38-39
And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. —Matthew 10:38-39 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… Jesus wants us to seriously look into our hearts and surrender those things that hold us back from fully following and serving him. He comes to us with his now nail-scarred hands and reminds us that he gave up everything to redeem us. He now wants us to surrender to the Cross all the things that distract us and hold us back from wholly yielding to him. Let’s do it today! Only in Jesus will we find true, fulfilling, and eternal life! After all, he told us that “whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” My Prayer… Father God, Almighty King, I am sorry for the areas of my life that I have kept hidden away from the righteousness that your Spirit is working to cultivate in me. I now confess those secret areas of sin to you and ask that you cleanse me and liberate me from the evil one’s power that binds them to me and holds me back from wholehearted service to your Son. In Jesus’ name and by the power of the cross where Jesus triumphed over all evil and demonic powers (Colossians 2:12-13, 15), I pray to be holy, and wholly yours! Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
Today’s Verse – Psalm 119:133
Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me. —Psalm 119:133 Thoughts on Today’s Verse… God’s Scriptures, the word of God, and the LORD Jesus, the incarnated Word of God, provide light to our dark paths in our morally uncertain and confused world. God’s Scriptures and our LORD Jesus must be our standards for right and wrong and set the goal for our behaviors as the Holy Spirit works to make them come alive in us (Colossians 1:28-29; 2 Corinthians 3:17). Let’s ask God to have the Holy Spirit use both his words in Scripture, and his Word the Son, to have the formative influence in our lives and deliver us from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin them. My Prayer… Great and Almighty God, who raises the dead and restores the fallen, shape my heart to delight in your truth. Mold my life to more perfectly conform to your will. Lead me in your way, and please guide my footsteps in righteousness. I ask you to empower me to freedom from any form of bondage that Satan might use to control me and ruin my godly influence. Use your Scriptures, the power of the Holy Spirit, and my desire to honor you to conform me to your living Word, my LORD Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.