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.
07 Oct 2025
Acknowledging what God does for us shows that we are grateful. May we never stop. Hopefully, His love for us will build our faith. May it show us that there is nothing impossible for Him. We all can testify that He has been good to us. Let us also believe that He can continue to bless us. Philippians 4:10-13.
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.
06 Oct 2025
A grateful heart is important, even in difficult times. It inspires hope that the Lord who came through for us before is still capable of doing it again. May we not forget to be thankful. The Lord honours gratitude. Luke 17:11-19.
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.
03 Oct 2025
Choosing life guarantees life both here and in eternity. It determines how we live. It is the rudder that directs our ship. There may be stormy seas on some days, but calm will return. May we choose life and enjoy the benefits of the Lord’s presence. May the assurance of His love and support bring hope. Proverbs 11:17-19.
Daily Prayer for October 3
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18–19, NIV Lord our God, our Father in heaven, we come to you as your children. Bless us, we pray. Bless us especially in days when fear tries to take hold of us. Let your help come down to us as you have promised, the great help in Jesus Christ, who shall come to redeem the whole world. Bless us through your Word. Renew us again and again to stand firm and true to you, for you are our help for redemption and reconciliation through Jesus Christ. Amen. Recent articles on Plough Mothers of Srebrenica Hannah Rose Thomas and Rachel Miner Thirty years later, genocide survivors still unearth bones. Read now The Berry Family’s Founding Myth Jeffrey Bilbro Wendell Berry’s new novel, Marce Catlett, blurs the line between fiction and autobiography more than ever before. Read now Inwardness in a Distracted Age Eberhard Arnold What is Christianity’s answer when civilization is falling apart? The most effective way to resist evil starts with becoming quiet before God. But it doesn’t stop there. Read now The Marvel of Apple Trees Tara Couture Each apple tree in our orchard has its own character. Read now Daughters of Palestine Nicole Schrag A review of Leyla K. King’s Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations. Read now
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.