Today’s Verse: And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations. ~2 Chronicles 35:25 Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. His ministry was one spent in calling Jerusalem and Judah back to God. His ministry spanned over 30 years and included three kings of Judah. He was God’s prophet to King Josiah for 18

Today’s Verse: If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; ~Proverbs 2:4 A treasure hunt is an organized event where children set out to find hidden “treasures” (candy, toys, or treats). It is a fun event that children and adults enjoy. Proverbs 2 exhorts us about the treasure hunt that leads to the knowledge of God. Let us see how the knowledge of God is cultivated in the life of a sincere and spiritually hungry believer. We see the acceptance.

Today’s Verse: For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. ~Zechariah 2:5 The last several weeks, our state of California has been engulfed in major fires. Millions of acres have burned, structures have been destroyed, and billions of dollars in losses have been incurred. Firefighters in the wilderness will sometimes set up fire walls to cut off an approaching fire. It serves as a “wall’ to stop the advance of

Today’s Verse: And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy. ~Exodus 26:33 In Exodus 25, we are given the detailed construction plans for the Tabernacle. In this description, we read about a veil that separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies. We see the reason for the veil. The veil was a required curtain that sep

Today’s Verse: Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD. ~1 Samuel 1:20 Names in the Bible have great significance about the person’s character and life. Samuel is one of those men whose name indicated his life theme and story. His name means “I have asked him of the Lord” or “asked of God.” The biography of Samuel, from start to finish, is

Today’s Verse: But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. ~2 Chronicles 35:21 Has anyone ever told you to not stick your nose in someone else’s business? By this, they are saying that you are being intrusive and interfering with matters that

Today’s Verse: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. ~2 Kings 4:26 Most people run. Some run out of necessity. An example is someone running to catch a bus before it departs. Some run for the exercise. They run to get their heart healthy, lose weight, and reduce fatty buildup in their blood. Some run competitively and for a living. Basketball players spen

Today’s Verse: By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. ~Hebrews 11:7 One of the more famous Bible characters is Noah. There is a children’s Bible hymn that starts with: “Who built the ark? Noah, Noah. Who built the ark? Mr. Noah built the ark.” Noah was a real person who is a powerful example of faith.

Today’s Verse: But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. ~Psalm 115:3 God is the Hebrew name Elohim. Elohim incorporates the entire Godhead which is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. When we refer to God, we speak of the only one, true, living, eternal, almighty, unchanging, and holy God. There are not enough books that can be written about God. There are not enough words and adjectives that can describe Him. God is not just God of the pa

Today’s Verse: But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. ~Luke 1:13 Do you sometimes feel like people in your life tune you out? We might be talking to a loved one but sense that he or she might be distracted or not listening. Our auto-response is to ask, “Are you listening?” Then, we are surprised when they respond back with, “I hear you, and here is my answer.”

Today’s Verse: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. ~Esther 1:12 Queen Elizabeth is the recognized, reigning queen of England. Even though England’s government is overseen by the Parliament and prime minister, the king and queen are symbols of the country’s historic monarchy. A queen presents the image of class, dignity, grace, poise, and beauty. Vashti was the reign

Today’s Verse: All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity. ~Isaiah 40:17 A nation is a country of people identified by their constitution, sovereignty, ethnicity, economics, and purpose. There are currently 195 countries, or nations, in the world. A nation ranks itself based on its monetary, military, technological, and trade power. Nations that band together see themselves as a united confederacy for power. A powerful nat

Today’s Verse: Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. ~Psalm 112:1 Psalm 112 is one of several psalms describing the blessed man. The word blessed means happy. Happy, in this sense, means totally blissful, peaceful, contented, and prosperous. I know many men who want to be blessed, but their idea is of someone who is wealthy and rich. Let us see the man God blesses and who fits the description of blessed. Thi

Today’s Verse: By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. ~Hebrews 11:5 There are two men in the Bible who did not die: Enoch and Elisha. It’s an amazing thought that Enoch was taken out of this world without dying. What is important for us, however, is Enoch’s faith while he was on earth. He had a faith that pleased God. We see Enoch’s em

Today’s Verse: And he said unto Moses, Come up unto the LORD, thou, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel; and worship ye afar off. ~Exodus 24:1 If you are diagnosed with a serous illness, you know the importance of doing what your doctor tells you to do. You come to the designated appointment, you see whatever specialist he refers you to, and you take whatever medicines he prescribes. To get well, you make sure you are on the doctor’s calendar. It

Today’s Verse: By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land. ~Exodus 23:30 God was preparing Israel to possess the land of their inheritance. Israel had lived in Goshen under Egyptian bondage for over 400 years, and all they knew was captivity, hardship, and a limited idea of the world outside of Egypt. After walking in the wilderness for several weeks, everyone was anxious to settle down. God told them about the b

Today’s Verse: This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. ~Psalm 119:50 Discomfort is when we are not at ease with something in our life. We are anxious, bothered, distracted, restless, and consumed by whatever it is that is causing the discomfort. In our devotion this morning, let us see how the psalmist was able to set his mind at ease, or find comfort, when he needed it most. We see the affliction. He speaks of his affliction. Affliction means cal

Today’s Verse: Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. ~Psalm 108:13 Psalm 108 was written by David as a psalm of praise and acknowledgement. Charles Spurgeon, in his Treasury of David, called this psalm “The Warrior’s Morning Song.” This psalm is divided into three sections. In vv. 1-5, we see David rejoicing. David is praising the Lord in spirit, in song, and in his society. In vv. 6-10, we see David’s request. David is praying for

Today’s Verse: Because they met not the children of Israel with bread and with water, but hired Balaam against them, that he should curse them: howbeit our God turned the curse into a blessing. ~Nehemiah 13:2 The historical account of Balak hiring Balaam to curse Israel was a repeated reminder to the Jews. It was a reminder of the grace and goodness of God in turning the curse into a blessing. A curse is a misfortune, evil, or doom against another person or group. A curse has

Today’s Verse: And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. ~Nehemiah 4:10 Tooth decay is when the enamel of our teeth wears away due to poor dental hygiene. A lack of flossing, brushing, rinsing, and routine dental visits greatly contribute to tooth decay, cavities, and loss of teeth. The men of Judah said that the strength of the men who carried the burden of helping rebuild the wall