Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
It’s easy to have faith in God when everything is going our way and life is good. However, when difficult times come and our faith is stretched, we must not give up or lose hope. As God’s children, we should cling to the assurance of His promises, knowing that He is always faithful. God’s promises are exceedingly great, and He fulfills each one in His perfect timing. He never changes His mind, never forgets, and His Word stands true for all eternity. God will never deceive or mislead you. Even if it feels like He has overlooked you or seems distant, maintain your faith and remember that He will never leave you nor forsake you. So keep hoping, keep believing, and keep trusting in God.
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
Life can be demanding physically and emotionally. We experience sickness, fatigue, and mental exhaustion. Don’t be discouraged by these challenges. Don’t give up, for this world and everything in it, including our physical bodies, is temporary. Our limitations remind us to rely on God and not ourselves. Continue faithfully in the Lord’s work knowing that He sees everything you do for His honor and glory. Trust in God, and let your spirit be renewed by His love and grace.
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to save the world. If God loves us that much, shouldn’t we love each other too? Though we don’t deserve His love, He freely gives it to us. Shouldn’t we strive to be like Him and love one another? God’s love flows to us and must also flow through us. His powerful love transforms our hearts, compelling us to share it with others. We can share God’s love not only by spreading His Word but also by practicing forgiveness, showing compassion, giving generously, and serving others. God’s love is meant to be shared, so let your light shine wherever you go.
23 She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 24 ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. 25 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.”
Huldah, the prophetess, is a less known figure in the Bible, mentioned in 2 Kings 22:14-20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22-28. She was a prophetess during the reign of King Josiah of Judah in the late 7th century BCE. When Hilkiah, the high priest, found the Book of the Law during temple repairs, King Josiah sent a group to consult with Huldah. This group included Hilkiah, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah, who approached Huldah for her insight.
Huldah delivered a message from God, confirming what the Book of the Law said and predicted disaster for Jerusalem and its people because of their disobedience and idolatry. However, she also conveyed mercy for King Josiah, stating that because his heart was responsive and he humbled himself before God, he would not witness the doom God would bring to this place and people in his lifetime.
Huldah’s ability to hear God’s voice and deliver His message shows her deep spiritual sensitivity and leadership. Her story emphasizes the importance of seeking God’s wisdom and the power of true repentance. Huldah’s role as a female prophet in a predominantly male religious setting highlights that God speaks through various people. Her prophetic message helped spark King Josiah’s repentance, leading to reforms, including the elimination of idolatry in Judah, and the renewal of the covenant.
The Lesson: Today, we can apply the lesson of Huldah the prophetess by recognizing the value of our own voices to deliver God’s message. Huldah’s story teaches the importance of seeking God’s wisdom, being spiritually sensitive, and using our insight to guide and inspire positive change. By embracing humility, repentance, and a commitment to truth, we can lead our communities, advocate for justice, and contribute to the restoration of faith and values, just as Huldah did in her time. Regardless of gender, everyone’s perspective is important and can be a channel for meaningful messages.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to follow the example He set before us. Jesus is the beloved Son of God, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, and the Messiah, yet He chose a path of service. In light of His example, how can we justify thinking too highly of ourselves to serve others? Jesus demonstrated compassion by healing the sick, helping the impoverished and those in need. In the same spirit, we are urged to act with humility and love. He calls us to extend a hand of compassion to others, offering us the chance to serve God through our service to humanity.
He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save.
The Lord is abundantly merciful and compassionate, especially towards the poor and needy. He not only offers salvation for their souls but also attends to their physical needs. Jesus dedicated time to heal the sick, feed the hungry, and care for the weakest among them. We, too, should have a heart of compassion for those less fortunate. If a particular charity or cause speaks to your heart, consider taking action by contributing a donation or offering your time and services to an organization that serves those needs. Allow Jesus to guide you in the way you should go to help the less fortunate.
He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
God’s omniscience meant that He had foreseen our need for our salvation so He planned our salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ, even before the beginning of the world. Prior to humanity’s fall into sin, God had already established a path for our reconciliation to Him—through the death and resurrection of Jesus on Calvary. God predestined Jesus to be before all things, placing everything under His authority and appointing Him as head over everything for the church (Ephesians 1:22). If you feel like things are falling apart, turned upside down, or lack meaning, prioritize Jesus in your life. When you do, everything else will fall into place and be held together by God’s power.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.
This world is as a sea; the church in it, and so every believer, is as a ship; the port that is bound unto is heaven; Christ is the pilot, and hope is the anchor. (John Gill’s Exposition) When our hope is firmly anchored in Jesus, we can face any storm with confidence, secure in the knowledge that our faith keeps us connected, safe, and secure. Regardless of the challenges we may face, we can trust that Jesus will never leave us, and our hope in Christ our Lord is never misplaced.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
At the beginning of this year, we eagerly anticipated what the new year would bring. We are now half way through the year and many have lost their jobs, the cost of living has gone way up, and some are struggling emotionally, physically, and financially just to make it through each day. In these times, our trust in the Lord has been our anchor. Let us lift our voices in praise, for we worship the God of restoration! Through His boundless grace we are reminded that despite challenges or suffering, God promises to restore and complete us.
The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness”.
God ‘s love was established since the beginning of time and will continue forever. It is not a temporary love but one that endures from generation to generation. God confirms His love for us daily as He forgives, protects, provides, heals, and demonstrates His continued grace, mercy, and power in our lives. God’s magnificent love is sovereign, unchangeable, and everlasting; nothing can ever separate us from His great love for us. God’s love is life-changing when you begin to believe that He loves you, always has, and always will. Take a moment today to reflect on His unwavering love for you. Reach out in prayer, open your heart to His presence, and let the transformation begin.
The Consecrated Woman 