Is mounting tension and stress sapping you of your strength? Do you lack motivation and excitement to live each day to the fullest? This 7-day devotional plan encourages you to spend time with your Creator, drawing strength from his never-ending supply. Through him, even in your weakest moments you are radiant and strong. As you spend time in his presence, he will fill you with peace and hope.
BroadStreet Publishing
Day 1
Scripture: Psalms 16:8-9
Rest Secure
No matter where you are, God is there. He is present on your best and worst days and each day that falls in between. He has promised to be with you until the end of the age, and he will not break his promise. He is constantly available to you because he loves you and longs to be with you. While there may be times you ache to hide from him in shame, he is a constant presence. His desire to be with you does not change based on emotions or circumstances. In all things, God is near.
The beautiful thing about God’s omnipresence is that you have a steady and consistent companion who is always ready to help in times of trouble. When you call out to him, he will answer. He will strengthen you when you need it most, and he will give you respite when you need a place to recover. The peace he offers cannot be found anywhere else. He is the only one who can promise you eternal steadiness, security, and safety.
You have no reason to fear the things that the world may throw your way. You’ve got the best protector of all at your side! Even when everything around you is disappointing or even chaotic, God is with you. His strength doesn’t waver when circumstances look grim. His ability to protect you does not change when you face trials and disappointments. Through it all, he offers you the kind of help that cannot be matched. Are you asking for his help in times of worry and woe, or are you turning inward to try to solve your problems? Let God be your refuge. Nothing is too big or too small for him. Even in your darkest hours, you can know true joy because he is your guardian.
Day 2
Scripture: Psalms 3:3-4
Peaceful Sleep
There is always something to fret about, isn’t there? Whether it’s health, finances, or relationships, there are many unknowns in life that can easily keep you worrying. What if you could trust completely that God would take care of you and your loved ones? How would that type of security impact your daily life? As you read God’s Word, let it be rooted deep within your heart. A steady reliance on the truth is a safeguard against worry. God is your rock, and he alone will sustain you.
There will be many unknowns in your life. There will be moments when it feels as though the rug has been pulled out from under you, and there is nothing you can do. In the moments you can’t control, you can trust. You can rest your soul, your mind, and your body in the hands of the one who has the power to sustain you. As your Maker, he knows everything about you. He knows exactly what you need at any moment of the day. He has what it takes to keep your heart beating and to provide for your every circumstance.
Part of trusting God to sustain you is releasing control over the details of your life. If your eyes are fixated on your own expectations, it’s easy to assume you are ill equipped for what you are trying to do. Instead, lean on God’s understanding and remember that he will give you what you need for the path he has you on. He does not ask you to follow him and then expect you to provide for yourself. You can trust that he is aware of your needs and that he has the ability to meet them.
Today, give glory to God for the way he has sustained you. Praise him for all he has done in your life and all he has yet to do. Each day you open your eyes is a gift from the one who made you. He offers you abundant peace and extravagant love as you follow him. Lean on his strength when you are weak and trust him with each step you take.
Day 3
Scripture: Isaiah 51:11
Crown of Joy
When God rescued the Israelites out of Babylon and led them back to their own land, there was great rejoicing and singing! Their sorrow was replaced by joy, for they had served in captivity for a long time. It was not the first time God had rescued them from slavery; Egypt was still fresh in their history. It also will not be the last time he rescues his people and leads them to their promised land.
Jesus is coming back for all who have sworn allegiance to him. As you turn your heart toward him and trust in him for redemption, you have this great promise to cling to. No matter how dismal life may seem, better days are coming. No matter how intense your suffering becomes, eternal freedom and healing are on the way. When you struggle to stay encouraged, you can lean on the fact that your best day on earth cannot compare to the glory of what’s to come.
When the Lord returns, you will finally enter his eternal promised land. Sorrow and crying will be replaced with everlasting joy and singing. God has not forgotten you. He has made a way for you to return to him, and his path to redemption cannot be intercepted. Your trust in Jesus has secured you a place at the table. You are an heir to God’s kingdom, and your position cannot be stolen by circumstances or the schemes of the enemy. With Christ as your advocate, your freedom is definite.
Today, spend time dwelling on the goodness of God’s promises. Imagine what eternal freedom will look like and be encouraged by what’s to come. When you face trials, let your hope in his return be an anchor for your soul. Draw strength from knowing that even as you wait for him to come back, God is with you for all of your days.
Dat 4
Scripture: Psalms 46:1-2
Refuge and Strength
Since you have an eternal perspective and you know that God is your help in times of trouble, you can have confidence rather than fear when disaster strikes. When others are overcome with worry or doubt, you continue to focus on God and trust his hand will guide you. When the voices around you are high-strung, frantic, or angry, you remain steady knowing that God has prepared you even for the worst suffering.
Your strength and courage come from God. Even if everything is crumbling down around you, you can find refuge in him because he is greater than the world. He is always prepared to offer his people comfort and hope in times of tragedy. You don’t need to worry about the future like those who rely on themselves. Your hope doesn’t come from the world being orderly or predictable. Your hope comes from the Most High God. He is the only one who cannot be shaken or overcome. Don’t seek shelter behind temporary shields when God offers you the safety of his presence. He is your refuge and strength.
Trusting in God during times of trouble isn’t easy, but it is always worth it. Even those with the strongest faith sometimes have to command their soul to trust in God. There will be times when you have to deliberately decide to rely on God’s promises despite how you feel or what seems to make sense. It’s in those times that your faith will grow. Through the pain of suffering, you have a unique opportunity to call upon the Lord and depend on his strength in a new way.
When you face impossible situations, God is on your side. When you can’t see the next step in front of you, he is the one who will guide you. When you are distraught and overwhelmed with fear, God is your refuge and strength. There isn’t a situation that exists in which he will abandon you or leave you to fight on your own. Call upon his name and let his strength be magnified in your weakness.
Day 5
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:5
Confident in Incompetence
Whether bringing a new baby home from the hospital, giving a major presentation at work, or simply making your first Thanksgiving meal, there’s probably been at least one moment in your life that had you thinking, I have no idea what I’m doing. I’m not qualified. In those types of situations, you are acutely aware of your lack of ability. You are abruptly confronted with a challenge, and it’s easy to see your weaknesses. The older you get, the more accustomed you become to having a handle on things. The more competent you become, the more important it is to deliberately pay attention to the presence of pride in your life.
There is great freedom in admitting your shortcomings and allowing the Father to be your strength. Your need for him doesn’t diminish just because you gain maturity or skill in any given area. It is beautiful to admit your weaknesses and trust that God’s strength is enough for you. Your qualifications don’t matter nearly as much as your ability to magnify his name above your own. Trusting God’s ability can be difficult if you are convinced that you can handle your life alone. Instead, do your best to remain aware of your humanity. Even on your best day, God’s ways are higher than yours.
When you are faced with a situation you don’t know how to handle, God is on your side. He longs to equip you and strengthen you. As you depend on him in your weakness, he makes you strong. No matter what he asks of you, you can be confident in your incompetence. You may not be capable, but God is more than qualified to carry out his plans through you. He is not hindered by a lack of time, ability, or resources.
Today, remember that God is your source of strength. Everything you need comes from him. You live, breathe, and move because he has willed you to do so. Your life is securely in his hands, and he is the one who sustains you. Trust in his guidance and worship him in your weakness. He is worthy of all your praise and adoration.
Day 6
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
Not Destroyed
God has placed his treasure within jars of clay. He has mercifully given you the gift of the Holy Spirit because he recognizes and understands the weakness of your humanity. The Holy Spirit lives in you and strengthens you. He gives you the power to accomplish all he has called you to. He encourages you when you are weak, and he reminds you of truth when you need it most. Though your body may be fragile, the Spirit is strong and able.
You may be battered and bruised. You may even shatter, but the treasure within you is unbreakable. Don’t be discouraged by your weaknesses, and don’t despair when circumstances seem dire. No matter what happens, you will not be crushed. You will surely experience suffering and hardship in this life, but the hope you have in Jesus is stronger than any opposition you might face.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that great faith equates to an easy life. Instead, strengthen your resolve to trust in Jesus in every circumstance. Remember that he is with you on your best days and on your worst. He has promised to never abandon you. Even if the entire world turns its back on you, he will stay close. Even if your whole life falls apart, he will lift you up and comfort you. Every worst-case scenario you’ve ever thought of isn’t a match for God’s ability to embrace you with love, protect you with peace, and empower you with hope.
The power of Christ within you cannot be taken away. What God has fashioned and redeemed cannot be destroyed. There is no weapon in existence that can undo what God has done. You can walk confidently toward the battles in your life knowing that your steps are ordered by the Creator of the universe. As you lean on him for strength, he will keep you steady until the end of your days.
Day 7
Scripture: Psalms 89:21
Whatever Comes
This verse was God’s promise to David when he chose him to be the king of Israel. You have hindsight to know the mistakes and troubles that David went through. In Scripture you can read David’s story of blessing, sin, consequence, joy, battles, fear, and love. By knowing the beginning and end of his story, you can clearly see how God equipped David long before he walked through any difficulties.
David went through a lot in his life, and the truth of this verse prevailed. God gave him grace and sustained him no matter what came. He can and will do the same thing for you. Remember that God sees each of your days clearly. He knows exactly how your life will unfold, and he knows how to prepare you for it. Some day you will see all the intricate ways God orchestrated your life, but for now you have to rely on faith.
God is always working. He never sleeps, and he doesn’t leave his children to flounder in the face of trials. There are likely things in your life that are preparing you for battles you don’t have an inkling of yet. As you rely on him, you can trust that he knows exactly what he is doing. He has promised to give you grace to sustain you no matter what comes your way. This means that in every circumstance, he will empower and equip you.
Let this verse be your promise. Trust God to shower you with grace that will sustain you through everything you face. Whether you are exhausted from weeping or you feel emboldened to face the day, God is your refuge. The extravagance of his grace doesn’t diminish based on your emotions. No matter how you feel, the truth remains steady. God will sustain you if you call out to him.