Daily Archives: May 30, 2025

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – In the Depths

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Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up. Psalm 69:15

Today’s Scripture

Psalm 69:6-15

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Today’s Devotional

San Fruttuoso Abbey is nestled in a cove off Italy’s northwest coast. Accessible only by boat or foot, it’s a secluded gem. But even more treasure hides in its bay. As divers venture into the sea and descend fifty feet down, the figure of a man starts coming into view. This is Christ of the Abyss, the world’s first underwater statue, placed in 1954. The bronze figure depicts Jesus in the depths, His hands raised to heaven.

The depths. Maybe you’ve experienced them. “I sink in the miry depths,” Psalm 69 says, “I am worn out calling for help” (vv. 2-3). Mocked by his foes and estranged from his family (vv. 4, 7-12), the psalmist found no comfort in others (v. 20) and feared his misery would “swallow” him up (v. 15). Whether it’s sin or sadness that takes us there, the depths are life’s moments of dark despair.

Thankfully this isn’t the last word on the depths. For while they’re cold and lonely, there is one who can be found in them (139:8). And He will rescue us from their chilly waters. “I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths” (30:1).

As that sculpture reminds us, when we’re sinking under the world’s weight, we’re not alone. Jesus by the Spirit is there in the depths, His hands raised high—ready to meet us and lift us out in time.

Reflect & Pray

How have you experienced “the depths” in the past? How might Psalm 69:15 be pivotal in getting through them?

Dear Jesus, thank You for meeting me in the depths. Please lift me out with Your love, grace, and power.

Gain more wisdom from the book of Pslams.

Today’s Insights

Psalm 69’s vivid description of a “servant” (v. 17) of God enduring unjust suffering parallels Isaiah’s description of a suffering servant (Isaiah 52:13-53:12). Although the psalmist refers to personal “guilt” (Psalm 69:5), this could be an indirect way of confessing general innocence—that is, God knows everything the psalmist is guilty of and knows none of it could justify such treatment.

In the New Testament, Psalm 69 is frequently quoted in reference to Jesus. He was hated without cause (Psalm 69:4; John 15:25), consumed by zeal for God’s house (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17), carried insults intended for God (Psalm 69:9; Romans 15:3), and given vinegar to drink as He neared death (Psalm 69:21; Matthew 27:34, 48; Mark 15:36; Luke 23:36; John 19:29). Jesus knew “the depths” as no one else could, and He helps us as we face them.

 

http://www.odb.org

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – The Humble Get Help from God

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For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Psalm 149:4 (NIV)

The Bible says, God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6 NKJV) and that if we will humble ourselves under His mighty hand, He will exalt us in due time (1 Peter 5:5–6). God hates pride, because proud people depend on themselves instead of on Him. They have an inflated opinion of themselves, and they think more highly of themselves than they ought to.

Humble in the original Greek language of the New Testament meant lowly or to make low. It means to make yourself lower than God and depend entirely on Him. We are often independent, which is the opposite of the way God wants us to be.

Jesus says that we are to abide in Him, and that apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).

To abide means to live, dwell and remain; to depend on continuously. Because I didn’t have anyone who really cared for me as a child, I became independent and repeatedly told myself that I could take care of myself and didn’t need anyone. However, when I entered into a relationship with God through Jesus, I had to let Him break my independent attitude and learn to depend on Him.

I have discovered, as you will or may have already discovered, that life is much better when we humble ourselves and let God take the lead in our lives.

Prayer of the Day: Father, forgive me for the times when I proudly depend on myself instead of on You. Help me learn to always depend and rely on You for everything.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Eternal Cosmos

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“He hath also stablished them for ever and ever: he hath made a decree which shall not pass.” (Psalm 148:6)

In this central psalm of the last five psalms comprising the “Hallelujah” epilogue to the book of Psalms, the entire physical creation is exhorted to praise the Lord as all the universe is restored to its primeval perfection. All the people of the earth, all the angels, even all the animals, will praise the Lord.

Furthermore, in some way that can only be understood by faith, the entire inorganic creation—sun, moon, stars, mountains, winds, everything—will be able to praise Him. Even the primeval waters above the heavens (Genesis 1:7-9) will have been restored, and they will praise the Lord (Psalm 148:4-5).

And all of this will continue forever and ever! The new heavens and new Earth—that is, the renewed heavens and Earth, with the Curse removed (Revelation 22:3)—the sun and moon and stars, with the eternal throne of the Lord Jesus established on the earth in the New Jerusalem in the midst of all the redeemed men and women of all the ages, will forever be a praise to God.

God is not capricious, and He does not fail. He will not “uncreate” what He has created. “Whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). The earth must yet be purged by fire (2 Peter 3:10), but it will be renewed in righteousness (v. 13) and without any evidences of the former regime of decay and death.

And then it will last forever. “And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever” (Psalm 78:69). “[God] laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever” (Psalm 104:5). “And they that turn many to righteousness [shall shine] as the stars for ever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). HMM

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

My Utmost for His Highest

My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers – “Yes, But . . . !”

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I will follow you, Lord; but . . .— Luke 9:61

Suppose God tells you to do something that doesn’t square with your common sense. What are you going to do? Hang back? If this is your inclination, watch out. If you develop the habit of avoidance in your physical life, the habit will rule you until you break it. The same is true in your spiritual life. Again and again you will come to what Jesus Christ wants from you, and again and again you will turn back. “But suppose I obey God in this matter,” you say. “What about my concerns? I can only obey God if his command follows common sense. Don’t ask me to take a step in the dark.”

Jesus Christ demands that we display the same reckless, daring attitude in spiritual life that the boldest among us display in natural life. If you’re going to do anything worthwhile, sometimes you have to risk everything and leap. In the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ demands that you leap into what he says, risking everything common sense has taught you. The instant you do, you’ll find that his command makes perfect spiritual sense.

Measured by the standard of common sense, Jesus Christ’s statements may seem insane. But if you measure them by the standard of faith, you will find that they are the words of God. Trust entirely in God, and when he brings you to the precipice of a challenge . . . leap. We act like pagans in a crisis: only one in a crowd is daring enough to risk everything on the character of God.

2 Chronicles 10-12; John 11:30-57

Wisdom from Oswald

The life of Abraham is an illustration of two things: of unreserved surrender to God, and of God’s complete possession of a child of His for His own highest end.Not Knowing Whither, 901 R

 

 

https://utmost.org/

Billy Graham

Billy Graham – Salvation Is Free

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Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

—Romans 3:24

Salvation is free! God puts no price tag on the Gift of gifts—it’s free! Preachers are not salesmen, for they have nothing to sell. They are bearers of Good News—the good tidings that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3). Money can’t buy it. Man’s righteousness can’t earn it. Social prestige can’t help you acquire it. Morality can’t purchase it. It is, as Isaiah said, “without money and without price.”

God is not a bargaining God. You cannot barter with Him. You must do business with Him on His own terms. He holds in His omnipotent hand the priceless, precious, eternal gift of salvation, and He bids you to take it without money and without price. The best things in life are free, are they not? The air we breathe is not sold by the cubic foot. The water which flows crystal clear from the mountain stream is free for the taking. Love is free, faith is free, hope is free.

Do you need to give or recommit your life to Christ? Do it today.

Prayer for the day

Even though my salvation was obtained only through the costliest sacrifice ever made, You freely gave it to me. Lord, I praise You for this gift so lovingly given.

 

 

https://billygraham.org/

GuidePosts

Guideposts – Devotions for Women – Lessons From the Wise Woman of Abel

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A wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab to come here so I can speak to him.” He came toward her, and she asked, “Are you Joab?” “I am,” he answered.—2 Samuel 20:16–17 (NIV)

Consider the story of the wise woman of Abel, who, though unnamed, played a pivotal role in her city’s survival. Her wisdom and courage in negotiating with Joab saved her people from destruction. Like the wise woman of Abel, be ready to use your understanding for the good of others.

Heavenly Father, grant me the strength to make choices that are fair, just, and compassionate, and help me to extend kindness and empathy to those around me.

 

 

https://guideposts.org/daily-devotions/devotions-for-women/devotions-for-faith-prayer-devotions-for-women/