INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the 2026 edition of Daily Wisdom for Men!
The key theme for this year’s Daily Wisdom for Men is Our Identity in Christ. The Bible has much to say about who we Christian men are in Jesus. In Him, we are loved, accepted, forgiven, secure, redeemed, valued, equipped for good works. . .the list goes on and on.
God so loves you that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to live on earth as a man and to die a horrific death on a wooden cross and then to be raised from the dead so that you could be forgiven for your sins and one day begin an eternity with Him in a forever home called heaven.
The inspiration for this year’s daily devotionals is taken from scripture readings in our popular “Read Through the Bible in a Year Plan.” Each day’s readings are included in this book’s daily devotions. That will help you to read the daily Bible passages and then spend a few minutes reading that day’s devotional writing.
In sending Jesus, God gave you the very best He has so that you can be not just saved but given a whole new identity and purpose in this life. It is the hope of the men who played a part in writing this year’s Daily Wisdom for Men devotions, as well as the people at Barbour Publishing, that this book will help you become better acquainted with who you truly are in Jesus.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
*Genesis 1–2 / Matthew 1 / Psalm 1
ANCHORED TO GOD BY GOD
How well God must like you—you don’t walk in the ruts of those blind-as-bats, you don’t stand with the good-fornothings, you don’t take your seat among the know-it-alls. Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.
Psalm 1:1–3 msg
The man described in Psalm 1 is what you’re shooting for, not what you’re living 24-7. Doing the right things regularly is hard. You know why it’s hard—the flesh, the world, and the devil. But you tend to forget that God is faithful, especially when you struggle.
When you make it a goal to ponder the Scriptures, to pray for more than five minutes, to truly make God the center of your life, you’re becoming the guy in Psalm 1—but you’re also notifying the enemy of your intentions. Hence the struggle.
But God will strengthen you to become the man you want to be. His love for you never diminishes. His determination to finish His good work in you never wavers. So when you’re striving to be a Psalm 1 man, remember how much God likes you and how He speaks: through His Word, in your spirit, in the counsel of others. Any other voice is just noise.
Father, thank You for anchoring me to You. Help me sink my roots deep into You, Your Word, and Your ways.
*This devotional follows a yearlong Bible reading plan that corresponds with each day. If you choose to complete these readings, at the end of the year, you will have read God's Word from cover to cover!
Genesis 3–4 / Matthew 2 / Psalm 2
RESCUED TO BE A RESCUER
“I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.”
Genesis 3:15 esv
Picture the scene: The snake has just deceived Adam and Eve. They’ve chosen their way over God’s, and their fall has ushered sin and death into God’s good creation. Worst day in the history of the world. But God stepped in—almost immediately—and began His rescue mission. God explained the consequences of sin to Eve and Adam, but first He addressed the serpent in Genesis 3:15. This verse is called the protoevangelium—the first gospel. God foretells the salvation of mankind and the ultimate destruction of the devil. Satan would bruise the Messiah’s heel at the cross, but the empty tomb would show that Jesus would crush Satan’s head, conquering death and hell. As soon as we fell, God was on the move to pick us up.
In rescuing you, God has also made you a rescuer—someone whose God-given life brings light to others. Your life has purpose simply because you’re His—He has brought you into His great work, making your every thought, word, and deed part of His good news.
Lord, You are a Savior and a Sender. Your plans for me and the world are greater than I can imagine. Use me to get word of Your rescue mission out.
Genesis 5–7 / Matthew 3 / Psalm 3
FORGIVING BETRAYAL
O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!”
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
Psalm 3:1–3 nlt
David wrote Psalm 3 when he was fleeing from his son Absalom, who was trying to usurp the throne. There’s no enemy closer than one in your own household, no feeling of failure greater than a child who rejects God’s ways. But while David would have reconciled with his son, he was furious with those who took Absalom’s side—men who had previously served him.
Only when you lean hard into who you are in Christ can you overcome such deep, personal betrayals. At the cross, Jesus suffered the most unjust betrayal ever. Because He took the punishment that was rightly yours, you can call on Him as your shield and encourager.
To belong to Him is to realize you cannot fail to forgive those who have wronged you. Jesus offered no ifs, ands, or buts as His hands were nailed down. At your worst, He didn’t abandon you. Your best response is to do the same for others, with the same hope of reconciliation.
Jesus, let Your great love sink deep into my heart so that I can forgive those who have hurt me. Though I hate what they’ve done, let me love them the way You have loved me.
JANUARY 4
Genesis 8–10 / Matthew 4 / Psalm 4
YOU’VE GOT HIS EAR
Know that the Lord has set apart him who is God-like for Himself. The Lord hears when I call to Him. Psalm 4:3 nlv
When you’re struggling, most often you just want someone to listen and acknowledge that, yeah, you’re going through a hard thing. In that moment, it’s comforting to know you’re not alone, but it’s also good to know that you’re not making a mountain out of a molehill, that your frustration or disappointment or anger are legitimate. But sometimes no one comes. What then? Has God forgotten you—or worse, does He think it’s not a big deal, that you just need to rub some dirt on it and move on? Lots of folks—even Christians— respond to that alarming feeling of isolation by trying to fill it with something other than God. That might work for a little while, but the isolation always comes back. After all, it’s a test. Do you believe the Lord listens when you call? You are a son of the Most High, and you have His ear—anytime, anywhere. So talk to Him, and then listen. You’ll know what David experienced after pouring his heart out in Psalm 4:8 (esv): “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Thank You, Father, that You are always there for me. I have Your ear—the attention and care of the Lord of all creation.
Genesis 11–13 / Matthew 5:1–20 / Psalm 5
SHINE
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 esv
Jesus calls you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) because His light is in you. But what does that look like in everyday life? Sometimes it’s an opportunity to share the gospel—maybe one you’ve been praying for, maybe something unexpected—or a chance to be kind or encouraging.
Or it might be a conflict like we see in Genesis 13. Abram and his nephew Lot had a business issue. Their herdsmen were squabbling over the land they shared, but before it reached the boiling point, Abram told Lot, “Why are we fighting—we’re family. We’ve got enough land for all of us, so you pick what you want, and I’ll take what’s left.” That resolved it.
Like Abram, you belong to God. He wants you to put others first, even if you’ve got rights or a superior bargaining position. He wants you to trust that He will take care of you, that pleasing Him is better than self-preservation. When you shine like that, God will cover you with His favor—and you can also earn others’ trust and show the difference your faith makes.
Father, all things are Yours, including my soul and life. I am Yours, and You will watch out for me, especially when I seek You first. Cover me today as I shine Your light.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 6
Genesis 14–16 / Matthew 5:21–48 / Psalm 6
BE COACHABLE
“What I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Matthew 5:48 msg
The nature of being a citizen of God’s kingdom requires humility. God accepts you only when you accept His only offer of citizenship: faith in Jesus Christ. That faith must define all of you. That’s hard enough if you believe you’re too bad to be saved. But it’s especially difficult if you’re what the world would call a good person.
However you came to Christ, though, you took on the challenge He put to you: You’re worse off than you ever thought, but you’re also more loved than you ever imagined.
That’s just the start, though. Being a follower of Christ means being teachable—all the time. Your journey of becoming more like Jesus never ends. You only get better at it with His help. That help comes from His Word and prayer, but also from others whom He puts in your life to bring the challenge you need to learn and grow.
The goal is not to have a perfect reputation but always to be coachable—striving to know God better in response to His great love and care for you.
Jesus, forgive me for the times I haven’t been willing to learn from You or about You. Open my heart to know You better, to make Your humility, obedience, and grace mine.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7
Genesis 17–18 / Matthew 6:1–18 / Psalm 7
CHOOSE TO FORGIVE
“If you forgive people their sins, your Father in heaven will forgive your sins also. If you do not forgive people their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Matthew 6:14–15 nlv
The heart of Jesus’ rescue mission centers on forgiveness. There is no deeper need, and there is almost nothing harder to give and receive. We often treat forgiveness as something outside of ourselves—we offer it or accept it from others. It does start like that. Jesus came and died as a perfect, holy sacrifice so that we could be forgiven. When we receive God’s offer, we are forgiven—just like that. It’s such good news.
Obeying God’s instruction means forgiving others as we have been forgiven. That’s much more of a process. And it’s something that happens inside of us. Whether or not the other person repents or wants to reconcile, we must grasp that forgiveness is a response to what Jesus did for us—He died for us while we were still sinners.
To forgive is to take on the burden of someone else’s wrongdoing, trusting God that He will bring healing and the power to move on without grudge or resentment. It’s a lot, but it’s central to what it means to be a Christian.
Jesus, You have called me to forgive because that’s who You are. Help me choose to forgive. Please take it from there and work out the details in my heart.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 8
Genesis 19–20 / Matthew 6:19–34 / Psalm 8
LEARNING TO LET GO
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:33–34 nlt
Though Jesus didn’t worry the way you do, He knew the anguish of anticipated suffering. Looking down the barrel of the cross, He told His friends, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38 niv). He likely meant eternal death—separation from God—something He would undeservedly experience at the cross, becoming sin so you could become His righteousness.
Jesus’ suffering offers hope as you learn to let go of worry. He knows and cares about the things that trouble you—lean into that. His empty tomb demonstrates why worry shouldn’t define you. Jesus surrendered Himself to God completely, confessing His anxiety while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
How do you let go? Prayer. Tell God what’s on your mind, but also remind yourself of who He is and all He has done for you. When worry arises, do it again. Make prayer your first resort. The access Jesus bought for you shows that God cares about all the details of your life, so trust them to Him.
Lord, You took on the ultimate suffering so that I would never be separated from You again. I surrender my worry to You, safe in the knowledge that I am Yours.
Genesis 21–23 / Matthew 7:1–11 / Psalm 9:1–8
THE STANDARD OF JUDGMENT
If you judge other people, then you will find that you, too, are being judged. Indeed, you will be judged by the very standards to which you hold other people.
Matthew 7:1–2 voice
Ever had someone try to mic-drop you with “Judge not”? Anytime someone makes a statement that doesn’t allow for everyone to just do whatever they want, it’s almost a given that the retort will be, “Don’t judge me.” But when Jesus gave us this standard in the Sermon on the Mount, that’s not what He meant.
The whole sermon focuses on Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s law. He wasn’t doing away with it; He was telling people the heart of it. You demonstrate your righteousness—given to you by God Himself through Christ—by obeying His commands. That requires making decisions based on moral and personal behavior—in other words, judgment.
The heart behind Matthew 7:1–2 is challenging. You must judge yourself first. That’s the only way to avoid hypocrisy—taking the log out of your own eye before you tell someone else about the speck in theirs. And when you do call someone up, it’s with the goal of seeing them restored to righteousness—to liberate them from something that could keep them from knowing or loving God more.
Father, guide me with Your wisdom and empathy as I make all the judgment calls ahead of me today. Keep me humble but give me courage to speak Your truth.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 10
Genesis 24 / Matthew 7:12–29 / Psalm 9:9–20
ALWAYS ON HIS MIND, ALWAYS IN HIS HAND
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:9–10 esv
You are always on God’s mind. Let that soak in for a second. Now, what’s on your mind? Family stuff? Something at work? An unpaid bill? Sickness? Depression? It’s hard to think of God when trouble is right in your face. So let’s take notes from David.
David begins Psalm 9 with praise: “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart” (verse 1 esv). He gets to his troubles and fears, but he nails the starting point. When your heart is heavy, start by reminding yourself who God is. Psalm 9 tells us He is praiseworthy, enthroned, just,and righteous, and that He has done great things for His people.
What a God, right? Now consider what support He provides. He will not forsake you. He will be a shield when everything else is a knife. That’s who you’re taking your hurt to, your fears. All the things troubling you can’t keep you from Him. You belong to the Lord, and He looks out for His own.
Lord, nothing in heaven or on earth can separate me from You. I turn to You now, my stronghold, my rock and redeemer. Shield me from my troubles so I can see You.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 11
Genesis 25–26 / Matthew 8:1–17 / Psalm 10:1–11
SAY THE WORD
“Only speak the word, and my servant will be healed. I am a man who works for someone else and I have men working under me. I say to this man, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”
Matthew 8:8–9 nlv
You’ve seen the wonders of scientific discovery, advancements in medicine, explorations of nature and space. All of it, though, is just an ongoing unveiling of what God has set in motion. His authority covers all of creation. That’s what the centurion in Matthew 8 recognized. You are a man under God’s authority. He has vested you with His power, His very Spirit inside you, and you are a new creation in Christ. His will is your command. Whether He tells you to go or wait, you’ll trust Him. To be a man of faith depends entirely on the object of your faith. And you have put your faith in God.
Jesus rattled the false sense of security the Jewish religious leaders had by praising the faith of this Gentile soldier. The centurion understood what they didn’t, that his servant wasn’t healed because he himself had great faith but because he had put his faith in a great man.
Lord God, my King and my Savior, I am here, waiting on You. Speak through Your Spirit, Your Word, and send me out today to do what pleases You.
MONDAY, JANUARY 12
Genesis 27:1–28:9 / Matthew 8:18–34 / Psalm 10:12–18
PRIORITIES
Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”
Matthew 8:21–22 esv
Jesus wants followers who understand who He is. In Matthew 8, the first guy thought of Him as merely a good teacher who would give him a good life. The second guy put Jesus off by saying, “Once I inherit my father’s business, I’ll be set up and I can follow You without sacrificing my comfort.” Jesus tested them, and both failed.
To identify with Christ is to take part in His discomfort in this world. He promised His followers that they would have His true, eternal life in them forever, but that until He returned, they would be persecuted, mocked, and even killed for staying true to Him—just as He had been for staying true to the Father.
Jesus is God, not just a good provider. He is Lord, not simply a good teacher. He is Lamb and Lion. So because His suffering produced life and hope, your suffering will too. His priority was to honor God in all He did, especially in the sacrifice required to save God’s most cherished creation.
God, You paid the highest price to make me Yours. Strengthen me to be more like You as I face hardship and trials. Comfort me with thoughts of You praising me because I’ve suffered well.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 13
Genesis 28:10–29:35 / Matthew 9 / Psalm 11
THE OUTSIDERS
“Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: ‘I’m after mercy, not religion.’ I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.”
Matthew 9:12–13 msg
Who doesn’t like being on the inside, where the real action happens and key decisions get hammered out? Even if it’s just in a small group of friends or colleagues, we want to be in the room where it happens, the ones in the know. Just look at the twelve guys Jesus handpicked to do His earthly ministry with. They squabbled over who got the seats closest to Him, which of them was His right-hand guy. Jesus’ response? “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26 esv).
The desire to be on the inside puts religion ahead of relationship, something Jesus was not a fan of. Why? Because it indicates a worksoriented view of salvation—If I’m with the “in” group, God has to approve of me.
But being saved is about God’s mercy. Outside of the Trinity, there is no “in” group. Jesus looked at the people who would have the hardest time being accepted in most churches today and said, “I’m here for them.” Next to God, we are all outsiders—but that’s okay! We’re in the group that Jesus came to save.
Jesus, You brought me from the outside into relationship with You. Thank You for Your mercy. Help me extend it to others.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14
Genesis 30:1–31:21 / Matthew 10:1–15 / Psalm 12
SENT OUT IN POWER, PART 1: LOOK AROUND
He called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Matthew 10:1 esv
There’s a difference between being an evangelist and evangelizing. The first is a specific gift given to certain believers (Ephesians 4:11), enabling them to challenge nonbelievers and engage in debate about the Christian faith. But all Christians are called to evangelize—to be ready to talk about why you believe what you believe (1 Peter 3:15–16) and to handle yourself with wisdom, grace, and respect as you do so (Colossians 4:5–6).
Jesus sends all believers out into the world as His children and representatives. Once you’ve identified yourself as a Christian, you’ll be watched—by family, coworkers, neighbors. Your words matter, as do your actions and how you handle pressure. To be a “cool Christian” is a trap—there’s no such thing in a world that is set against your Savior. Today, remember whose authority you’re under. Look around. Jesus Himself gives you what you need to represent Him. Will you trust Him to use you to impact someone’s life, to interrupt the enemy’s evil plans for them and shine God’s life-changing light?
Lord, fill me with Your Spirit to do the work You have for me today. Give me the words to say, the courage to stand, the heart to love the unlovely. Here I am, for Your glory.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 15
Genesis 31:22–32:21 / Matthew 10:16–36 / Psalm 13
SENT OUT IN POWER, PART 2:
LOOK OUT
“I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16 esv
Jesus called Himself the good shepherd who would die to protect His flock (John 10:11). So at first, it seems strange that He would send His sheep out into such a dangerous world, among the wolves. And yet that’s what He did—and does.
Jesus gives us His example and His power. He tells us how to use that power among the cunning wolves of the world: Be shrewd as serpents (symbols in Jesus’ day of astuteness and sound judgment) and gentle as doves (symbols of purity and innocence). Remember, Jesus came as the Lamb of God, a sacrifice. His general demeanor was kind and humble, but when the occasion called for it, He could be firm—and even fierce—about God’s glory. Gentle with the hurting and downtrodden, He flummoxed the arrogant with His parables and teaching.
Look out, then: Your belief should not be shallow or naïve, nor should it be cynical or argumentative. You need the wisdom only God’s Word can provide, and the power of His Spirit to guide you in applying it as you navigate a dark world in desperate need.
Lord Jesus, teach me by Your Spirit and Your words how to find this complex rhythm in a world set against You. In this and all things, You are my example.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16
Genesis 32:22–34:31 / Matthew 10:37–11:6 / Psalm 14
SENT OUT IN POWER, PART 3:
LOOK UP
“If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me.”
Matthew 10:39 msg
Putting someone ahead of yourself in a relationship means giving, right? You’re there to listen, to help, to encourage; and if it’s a healthy relationship, that person is there for you too. It’s good work, but it’s not easy.
Following Christ is similar. He has given you His best, and He is with you through thick and thin. If you can think of the times when you’ve known His faithfulness and steadfast care for you, then you know what it is to want to love Him back—not because that will save you, but because you just love Him. You want to enjoy and please Him. If humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less, then forgetting yourself is crucial. Look up. Putting God first is to trust Him with all the craziness going on in your life and to keep seeking Him, studying His words, and praising Him—not because He will do everything you want but because paying attention to Him changes you forever.
God, help me to be faithful in keeping You first. As I learn to forget myself, You never will. I will keep my eyes on You, do my best, and let You handle the rest.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 17
Genesis 35–36 / Matthew 11:7–24 / Psalm 15
ROCK STEADY
He who does these things shall never be moved. Psalm 15:5 esv
Following Christ means doing the right thing when you know it won’t be easy. Psalm 15 details how a man of God behaves in the face of trouble. He keeps doing what’s right, even when it costs him, because pleasing God matters most to him.
The world wants to be fixed—but mostly in its own way, using its own limited methods. God’s way goes against the grain of that, using hardship to build strength—to solidify your faith while keeping your heart from getting cold and bitter. Paul endured terrible things on his missions (2 Corinthians 11). It’s a brutal list, but the more he went through, the more he knew that nothing could separate him from God’s love.
Life will knock you on your backside. But when it happens, it won’t define you. You won’t be the guy who lost his job or got hurt or sick or relapsed—or whatever loss scares you the most. When bad things happen, you might lose sight of God for a little while, but as you find your way back to Him, you cannot lose His love, favor, or presence.
Lord, help me keep doing what’s right in Your eyes, especially when it would be impossible for me to do it on my own. Thank You for using hardship to confirm the growth of my faith in You.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 18
Genesis 37–38 / Matthew 11:25–30 / Psalm 16
TAKE THE LOAD OFF
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29–30 esv
Jesus offers an easy yoke and light burden—the gospel in a nutshell. But He’s offering more than a breather. To watch Jesus—to look at how He lived, how He handled acclaim and criticism, how He operated both from mercy and zeal—is more than a Three Steps to a Happy Life seminar. It’s a way of life bound up in His ways and will.
Jesus took on the heaviest burden ever—your sin—so that He could offer you a costly freedom. He knows you’re worn out from trying to prove yourself and that you are bound to ideas, habits, and practices that offer no relief.
You’re tied to something—probably something good by itself. But when good things become your source of worth, you’ll either break them or they will break you. That’s where Jesus offers something different: Himself. Only He can give you true rest from your desperate attempts to prove yourself. He is the only partner who won’t run you into the ground—who can bear up under the pressure of being everything you truly need.
Lord Jesus, teach me Your ways by Your Word and Your Spirit. You have liberated me from the pressure to save myself. Thank You.
Genesis 39–40 / Matthew 12:1–29 / Psalm 17
THE CHOSEN SERVANT
“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.”
Matthew 12:18–21 nlt
When Jesus quoted Isaiah 42—a prophecy about the Messiah— He had just healed a bunch of people and told them to keep it quiet. He was being humble, but also careful—because the Pharisees had decided to kill Him. This tension-filled moment displays many of His most inspiring traits—humility, gentleness, empathy, justness, wisdom—all of which blossomed when He was under the most pressure.
Like much of what Jesus calls you to do in your thoughts, words, and actions, this is hard. It’s so hard that you can’t consistently do it without His help. But here’s the good news: He knows that. You just have to abide—stay close to Him, seek Him, trust Him—and He will grow these characteristics in you. Just as the Father chose Him, He chose you.
Jesus, You gave Yourself so I could know You and have the Holy Spirit in me, helping me to know You better and be more like You in all I do. Guide me today.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 20
Genesis 41 / Matthew 12:30–50 / Psalm 18:1–15
HOLD FAST TO HOPE
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.
Psalm 18:2 nlt
Bad things happen to Christians just like they do to anyone else, but none of them cancel God’s love for you. The rain falls on the good and bad alike, but it’s God’s rain. He is still in control. He uses the troubles and trials He allows to help you trust Him more.
That’s cold comfort at times because the hard things are still hard, the hurt is still painful and deep—but that’s the place to dig in and hold fast to His hope. No matter how bad it gets, He is making all things new. Jesus suffered to make you a new creation, and His resurrection power will restore the world when He returns.
Without Jesus, there is only despair, a nagging realization that none of it means anything. But if He is your refuge, you live in hope. From that place of strength, you can do the work He has for you with confidence. You are not always safe, but you are always secure.
God, anchor me today. The world is insane, godless, and bent on destruction—but You are my rock. The pain cannot take me from Your hand, cannot separate me from Your love. Thank You.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21
Genesis 42–43 / Matthew 13:1–9 / Psalm 18:16–29
BREAKING THE DARKNESS
The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall.
Psalm 18:28–29 nlt
The world is a dark place. Even if you’re not in the military or law enforcement, you know what it’s like to feel its forces arrayed against you. If anything, you feel it more acutely because you know it’s not how God meant it to be. But as His adopted son, you have a hope the world can’t know: that God is on the move, bringing His light into the shadows.
It’s when you apply that knowledge that you know what David meant by the power to crush armies and scale walls. The world, the flesh, and the devil operate as one foe, deceiving and stealing and killing—but they are no match for He who lives in you, the one who has overcome the world. Each time you seek God when others are freaking out, or you point them to Him, you are bringing light and breaking the darkness.
The worst the world can do will one day be forgotten, vanished like smoke in His glorious light. But until the King returns, His strength is in you to stand, to know that you are not fighting for victory but from it.
Lord God, thank You for the hope You give me. In You, I have all I need to fight the darkness and win.
