Once-A-Day Bible Promises
GOD HELPS YOU TO STAND FIRM
May 18, 2024 • Ephesians 6:13
Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. A battle is raging—a battle we can’t see. There are powers beyond our senses, beyond what we can see and hear. The Bible tells us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). Pretty heavy stuff, huh? But it is true. The battles we wage in our lives are but part of a huge cosmic battle that has been going on since Satan’s fall. This battle will not end until he is destroyed. In the meantime, God promises that if we wear his armor, we can stand firm. As we pray God’s promises for ourselves or for others, we need to pray for strength in the unseen spiritual battles. Over the next few days we will pray for each item of God’s armor that he supplies. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will provide you with armor so that you can stand firm and resist the enemy in times of evil. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Heavenly Father, I acknowledge that there is a spiritual battle being waged, a battle far beyond the scope of my senses. I claim your promise that as I wear the armor you provide, I will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil and still be standing firm after the battle. Thank you for providing this armor. Amen
GOD STRENGTHENS YOUR FAITH THROUGH TRIALS
May 17, 2024 • 1 Peter 1:6–7
1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Peter says that we can be truly glad as we endure trials because of what we look forward to in heaven. Trials are not haphazard potshots that we’re supposed to dodge; instead, they are opportunities for spiritual growth. They test our faith to see how strong it is. Do we hold on to our faith, without doubting, in the midst of trials? Do we seek God’s guidance? Do we follow his instructions? Do we wait patiently for God to move, without whining and complaining? Do we stay close to God through it all? Sometimes we pass with flying colors; at other times, we need to fall on our knees in repentance. But in the end, as God strengthens our faith through our trials. We can rejoice no matter what trials may be occurring in our lives. We don’t need to be happy about the trials, but we can learn to be joyful in spite of them. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • You can rejoice even in trials, for trials can strengthen your faith. • Your faith is more precious to me than gold. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, during times of trial help me rejoice, not in the trial, but in you. Help me to hold on to what you promise for the future. As I face trials, I pray that my faith will be strong and pure. Amen.
THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS IN YOUR DISTRESS
May 16, 2024 • Romans 8:26–28
Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. The Holy Spirit helps us in our difficult times. In the middle of great pain, we often can’t pray. We don’t know what to say; we don’t have the strength to muster the right words. So the precious Holy Spirit, who lives within us because we are believers in Christ, intercedes for us with God. He expresses our deepest pain and pleads for us in line with God’s will because he knows God’s will. Not only are we promised the Spirit’s help in our distress, we are also promised that everything that happens to us will work together for good. The things that happen to us might not be “good,” but God will make them work to our ultimate benefit, to help us become what he wants us to become—mature, Christlike and prepared for heaven. There may be suffering, pain and trials, but under God’s control, even these will be for our good. The Holy Spirit will intercede for us when our trials become so intense that we cannot find words to pray. God promises that his Spirit will plead in harmony with his will. God also promises that he will work all things together for our good. That’s how much God loves us. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • My Spirit can help you in your distress. He can pray when you can’t. • I cause everything in your life to work together for your greatest good. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, thank you for the Spirit’s intercession for me when I am overwhelmed by trouble. I trust you to take my distress and work it out for my good. Amen.
GOD GOES WITH YOU THROUGH TRIALS
May 15, 2024 • Isaiah 43:2
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. These are God’s gracious words to the nation of Israel. What vivid pictures of God’s protection in trials! Deep waters can be frightening. There’s an awesome power to water—whether it is a still lake or a restless ocean. In deep waters we have very little strength. When we face a painful trial, we can feel as if we’re alone in the ocean with no rescue in sight, ready to give up. Then there are rivers of difficulty, perhaps not deep but moving with swift currents. Sometimes the difficulty threatens to sweep us away and smash us on the rocks below. We cannot swim against it. The fight seems useless. As frightening as water is, fire is even more so. A tiny spark flashes into a huge conflagration, and nothing will stop it. Humanly speaking, we have no hope in these situations. But with God, we have an option—to trust him. God promises to be with us in the deep waters of great trouble—in the rivers of difficulty and the fire of oppression. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • When you face deep waters of trouble, rivers of difficulty or fires of oppression, I will go with you. You will not be harmed. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Heavenly Father, I feel up to my neck in deep waters and don’t know how to get out. I need your strong hand. Please protect and guide me through this trial. Amen.
GOD RESCUES YOU
May 14, 2024 • Psalm 34:17, Psalm 34:19
Psalm 34:17,19 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. [19] Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. It’s easy to believe that the righteous face many troubles; our daily experiences bear that out. But when we or those close to us face huge, ongoing difficulties, we might question the last part of today’s promise: “the Lord delivers him from them all.” We may wonder that especially if our prayers for deliverance have not been answered. God promises that he hears us when we call to him for help. Sometimes his answer is years in coming, but God promises to rescue us from every trouble and give us strength to endure. He can take our troubles and use them for his good purposes—and for our own growth. God doesn’t promise smooth sailing, but he does promise rescue. He doesn’t say when or how, he just says he will. God knows a life without troubles would make us spiritually immature. We need to face difficulty in order to grow. But God also knows when it is enough, and he will rescue. We can be confident that God will rescue us from trouble in his way, in his time. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will hear you when you call for help. • I will rescue you from trouble. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Dear Lord, you promise to rescue your people from all their troubles. Rescue me today. When other trials arise and cause me pain and difficulty, I claim your promise of rescue. Amen.
GOD COMFORTS YOU
May 13, 2024 • Isaiah 49:13
May 13 GOD COMFORTS YOU Isaiah 49:13 Sing, O heavens; and be joyful, O earth; and break forth into singing, O mountains: for the Lord hath comforted his people, and will have mercy upon his afflicted. All of us need comfort once in a while. Maybe it’s an illness that sets us on life’s sidelines. It might be the pain of hurt or betrayal that causes us to want to withdraw into our shell and never come out. Maybe it’s the grief of loss that makes it feel like life is just not worth living anymore. We search for comfort in all kinds of places—escape into the latest TV sitcom, food, the Internet. Maybe we have some caring friends who listen and try to understand, but we can only lean on them so much, for we know they have their own lives and responsibilities. So where do we turn for comfort? Today’s verse tells us to “shout for joy” for “the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on afflicted ones.” That’s you. And that promise is for you. The Lord will give the comfort you need. Turn to him and pour out your hurt in prayer. He is always there for you. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I am there for you in your time of need. • I will give you comfort. • I will comfort you and have compassion on you. MY PRAYER TO GOD: I need your comfort today, Lord. The hurt goes deep. I need to know that there is purpose for this pain; I need to know that it will not be wasted. I need to feel the comfort that only you can give. Amen.
GOD PROTECTS YOU
May 12, 2024 • 2 Thessalonians 3:2–3
2 Thessalonians 3:2-3 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. [3] But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. Have you ever run across someone who is truly evil? You might not call him or her “evil”; you might just say that person is “amoral” or “dishonest.” But evil people do exist. The world is full of such people, and they will not hesitate to attack believers because of their faith. In reality, they are part of the opposing army in a spiritual battle. As the battle intensifies, it is apparent that there is only one real enemy—the evil one himself, Satan. In today’s verse, Paul asks the Thessalonian Christians to pray for him and his fellow travelers as they spread the gospel. If Paul asked for prayer, how much more should we be praying for others as they seek to live for Christ in a hostile world? Paul came up against his share of evil—and so will we today. But God promises to be faithful to his people, to make them strong and to guard them from Satan’s attacks. This doesn’t mean we or others close to us won’t face difficulties, but it does mean that God is faithful. In the end, that’s what we need to hold onto. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will be faithful to help you stand against evil. • I will make you strong and protect you from the evil one. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the evil I read about or see. Such evil causes me to sometimes doubt your ability to deal with it. Forgive me for doubting. Help me turn to you for protection and strength in the midst of a hostile world. Ultimately, you will triumph and your name will be glorified. Amen.
GOD ALLOWS YOU TO GO THROUGH HARD TIMES
May 11, 2024 • 2 Corinthians 1:5
2 Corinthians 1:5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. How many rousing sermons or best-selling books about “the glory of suffering” have you heard about or read in the last year? Despite the fact that the Bible speaks in great detail about the certainty of suffering and the undeniable blessing to be found in it, we pretend it doesn’t exist. We don’t discuss it. We rarely make even the slightest attempt to see God’s purposes in it. The apostle Paul was a man well acquainted with suffering. And Paul came to understand that not only does suffering lead to eventual glory, God uses it to transform us here and now. Ian McPherson, a wise saint, put it this way, “The bitterest cup with Christ is better than the sweetest cup without him.” You’ll never draw a big crowd advocating such an idea, but you will draw near to Jesus. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME; • You will one day share my glory. • You must now share my suffering. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Father, suffering is confusing and painful, and it is something I avoid rather than embrace. Teach me to respond in a godly fashion to suffering. Use difficulty in my life to transform me. Amen.
GOD EXCHANGES PEACE FOR WORRY
May 10, 2024 • Philippians 4:6–7
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. People spend a lot of money on security systems for their homes. Some businesses even have security guards at the entrances to their buildings. Even if we’re not business owners, we could all use a security guard—one around our heart and mind. Fears and worries come in, attack and overwhelm us sometimes. If our hearts had a guard, the guard would say to worry, “Sorry, you don’t have clearance. You’ll have to leave.” And then worry would simply go on its way. As security guards offer peace to a building’s inhabitants, we too would have peace, knowing that no worry or fear could gain entrance. When worry comes knocking at our heart’s door, God promises a way to guard us from it: pray. God promises that he will give us peace, a peace that is far more wonderful than we can ever understand. That peace will guard our hearts and minds from fear and worry. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • You don’t have to worry about anything, but instead you can pray about everything. • When you tell me about your needs, you will experience my peace which passes all human understanding. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, help me to focus on you so that when worry tries to get in, your peace will send it away. Guard my heart and mind today with your presence. Amen.
GOD SHIELDS AND SHELTERS YOU
May 9, 2024 • Psalm 91:4
Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Many of us struggle with worry. Bills, layoffs at work, health problems—all of these are fodder for anxious thoughts and sleepless nights. We may proclaim our trust in God on Sunday, but come Monday when the bills pile up in the mail or we receive frightening reports from the doctor, trust often takes a backseat to worry. We feel like a person who desperately seeks shelter during a storm. There is good news: God is a refuge! He promises his protection during the storms of life. Like a mother bird sheltering her offspring under her wings, God will shield and protect us with his strong wings and warm feathers. Since many wild birds pluck their own feathers to make their nests comfortable, warm and safe, this is an image of God’s sacrifice, care and love for us. Ultimate protection is found in God alone. Are you facing a stormy situation? He’s greater than any worry you may have. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will cover you with my wings and shelter you as a mother bird shelters her young. • You are safe in my hands. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Heavenly Father, I’m in the midst of one of life’s storms. I could use your protection. Keep me safe. Be a shield and shelter for me. My life is in your hands. Amen.
GOD IS YOUR REFUGE
May 8, 2024 • Psalm 46:1
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Europe is the home of countless stunning castles. Many are now decaying and moss-covered, but they still proudly remind us of a time when the world was very different. Those castles were places of safety, built on the hilltops. They were places of refuge and strength. The psalmist describes God as a refuge and strength. As our refuge, he is a place to run to when we need protection in times of trouble. As our strength, he provides what we need to keep on fighting. When life gets the better of us, we can run to the refuge and hide behind its thick walls, knowing we are safe. Then, after we’ve had a time of rest, God enables us to face the trouble again. Do you know God as your refuge? When the battle gets thick and trouble surrounds you, God will give you the strength you need to face the trouble at hand. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will be a refuge for you in times of trouble. • I will give you the strength you need. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, I need a place to run to for safety. Times of trouble are inevitable. Even today I need your strength. Your Word says you are always ready to help in times of trouble. Thank you for that promise. Amen.
GOD GOES BEFORE YOU
May 7, 2024 • Deuteronomy 31:8
Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. Sometimes life hits us right between the eyes. Sometimes we feel so worried and afraid that we are nearly immobilized. The news we hear is frightening. School shootings. Terrorist bombings. It’s easy to wonder, What next? It seems that our world is an increasingly fearful place and that horror occurs in what should be safe havens. However, we can take comfort in God’s words to his faithful servant Joshua: We do not need to be afraid because God is with us. God will be with us wherever we go. He’s as close as our next prayer. We can pray for divine protection and take to heart God’s promises. God will never fail us nor forsake us. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • Don’t be worried. I will never fail or forsake you. • I will go before you and watch over you. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, you tell us not to be afraid or discouraged because you go before us. Thank you for that promise. As you went before Joshua to handle the huge task of conquering the land, so you go before me today. Help me sense your presence today, and free me from fear and worry. Amen.
YOU CAN PRAY FOR YOUR COUNTRY
May 6, 2024 • 2 Chronicles 7:14
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. No country is perfect. No matter where we live, we know that our leaders are human and have flaws. We know that our society could use some moral grounding. We look around in dismay at the sin that surrounds us. We cry to God when we see terrorism, murder, school shootings or other senseless acts people do to one another. What can we do? As God told his people Israel to humble themselves and pray, so must we. For those of us who have wonderful privileges, we also have big responsibilities. If we see problems, we should be willing to work to make a difference. If we live in a country that is democratic, we should educate ourselves about issues and candidates before every election, and we should exercise our right to vote. No matter where we live, we need to pray for our nation and its leaders. God promises that when his people humble themselves and pray, he will hear from heaven. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • When you pray for your country, I will hear those prayers. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Thank you, Lord, for the reminder to pray for my country and the leaders who govern. Give them wisdom and a sense of your justice. May I never take my opportunities and the responsibilities I have for granted. Amen.
YOU CAN FIND CONTENTMENT
May 5, 2024 • Philippians 4:12
May 5 YOU CAN FIND CONTENTMENT Philippians 4:12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. How would you define contentment? Paul defined it as the secret of living joyfully in every situation. Paul was able to hold this view because of his fellowship with Christ. He knew that he could do everything with the help of Christ who gave him the strength he needed. And so can we. Contentment is not some fatalistic acceptance of whatever comes our way. Contentment is peace within that allows us to keep our perspective, our priorities and our faith no matter what happens. It allows us to move beyond and live above bad circumstances; it allows us to keep perspective and be thankful in good times. Whether we have a lot or a little, we trust that God will supply all of our needs “according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). How can we not be content when we have God’s glorious riches at our disposal? We can ask God for the grace to be content in all situations. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • I will help you be content. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Lord, whether I have little or much, I pray that I will be able to live joyfully. Thank you for promising that you will give me the strength I need to do your will. Amen.
DO NOT BE TIED TO THE WORLD
May 4, 2024 • James 4:4
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4 At first glance this verse seems to completely contradict yesterday’s verse (see 1 Timothy 4:4). That verse said to gladly receive everything God created and even to find pleasure in those things. Today’s verse says that if we aim to enjoy the world, we can’t be God’s friends. The Greek word for world here refers to the evil system under Satan’s control. This verse is not saying that we cannot enjoy anything in this world. Instead, it is making the point that if we make it our aim—goal, life focus, final destination—to enjoy this world’s evil, we cannot be God’s friend. Nothing is wrong with enjoying life and God’s blessings. Friendship with the world, however, involves seeking pleasure at the expense of others or being involved in sinful practices. Taking pleasure in God and his blessings is good; taking pleasure in the sin of this world is not. We can enjoy the blessings God gives us in this world because this is where we live. While we can bring light into darkness, we can also pray that we will never become “friends” with that darkness. GOD’S PROMISE TO ME: • You are my friend as you take pleasure in me. MY PRAYER TO GOD: Heavenly Father, give me the discernment to know when I’m about to compromise. I want to enjoy your creation without embracing the world system. I don’t want to be your enemy. Help me to appreciate my friendship with you. Amen.