Amos McCarthy

Monday, April 19.

In those frightening times when our well-ordered life appears to disintegrate around us, what are we to do? Today’s psalm gives valuable advice that can steady us in the midst of chaos.

Remember that “God is our refuge and strength, a very ready help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1)—and that security is found in Him, not in this world. Troubles will come, but we can rest in the knowledge that He is sovereign over every situation and will bring about His good purposes for those who seek refuge in Him. 

Next, our heavenly Father admonishes us to stop striving and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). In other words, we’re to rest in Him and the truths of His Word instead of fretting, panicking, and trying to control or manipulate the situation toward our desired end.

Peace comes through trusting in the Lord’s sovereign control, submitting to Him in the midst of our circumstances, and believing that He will work it out for our good and His glory. Ultimate relief comes in eternity, but until then, we have His strength to help us in times of trial. Keep an eternal perspective and live by faith, not by sight.

Memory verse: Psalm 46:10.

When and growth comes only through continuous effort and struggles.” Napoleon Hill

Wednesday, April 14.

What do you expect when you read the Bible? Is it something to cross off your to-do list, or are you expecting to hear from the Lord? Sermons, Sunday school lessons, Bible studies, and personal quiet time in Scripture are all means the Lord uses to strengthen, comfort, and encourage us in our walk with Him. But God’s Word can have influence only on a believer who’s ready to receive and respond to its message.

To get the most out of our time in God’s Word, we first need to prepare our heart. That means We come ready to listen with a prayerful, humble attitude. Today’s passage tells the story of young Samuel’s encounter with God. The priest Eli instructed the boy to say, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). This is valuable advice for us as well. Before you open your Bible, consider praying those simple words; then ask God to help you understand His message and apply it to your life.

God’s Word is an amazing gift. It comforts the mourner, strengthens the weary, convicts the sinner, gives peace to the repentant, and brings joy to those who read and obey it. Let Him speak into your life today.

Memory verse: Joshua 1:8.

“Prayer is the Spirit speaking truth to truth.” Unknown

Tuesday, April 13.

Most of us dislike being ignored. We feel frustrated and overlooked when our concerns are disregarded, especially by loved ones. Yet this is often how we treat the One who loves us the most, the Lord.  He is always attentive to every detail of our life, but we’re often too distracted by our own interests to think about Him.

Our God, who formed each of us in the womb and gives us life, breath, and all we have, deserves our full attention. Sadly, a majority of the world ignores Him, but those of us who have received His divine mercy, forgiveness, and grace should make Him our top priority. 

Distractions come in many forms. Usually it’s the pleasures and cares of this world that cause us to forget about God. We’re so busy pursuing our own desires and agendas that we fail to stop and consider what pleases Him.

To change this trend, we must learn what the Lord desires for us, as revealed in His Word. When we begin to think the way He does, we’ll see our life through a filter of Scripture and have a desire to please Him.

Memory verse: 1 John 4:8.

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, and not on the difficulties.” Oswald Chambers

Monday, April 12.

Until we learn to see sin as God does, it’s difficult to understand what happened at Christ’s crucifixion. God is holy and just, and Scripture tells us that His response to sin is wrath and punishment (Romans 6:23). Yet He also loves sinners and wants to be reconciled with them. The cross was the perfect answer to this terrible dilemma. It was the place where God’s wrath and love met.

The only way to rescue fallen mankind from eternal punishment was to devise a plan whereby the Lord could forgive sins without compromising His holiness. His wrath had to be poured out on a suitable substitute, the perfect Son of God.

So Jesus suffered His Father’s wrath for us as He hung on the cross. Sin was punished, divine justice was satisfied, and God could forgive sinners—all in accordance with His character. His wrath was poured out on His Son so His love and forgiveness could be lavished upon us.

We’ll never be able to understand all that happened while Jesus hung on the cross. Although we can to a certain degree comprehend the physical suffering He endured, Christ bore so much more: the very wrath of God. This costly redemption plan proves the Father’s great love for us.

Memory verse: Romans 1:18.

“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” Oswald Chambers