In the middle of hardship, we can find hope by meditating on the Lord’s character.

Psalm 145

When difficulties arise, what becomes your main focus—the problem, its impact on you, or its effect on others? When trouble occurred in David’s life, he meditated on the Lord’s sufficiency and His good, pleasing, and perfect will. That focus is evident not only in today’s psalm but in others as well: throughout his life, David poured out his troubles to the Lord and also continually turned his attention back to the Father. The result was strength and hope for his soul. 

Because David had a trusting relationship with God, he dealt with trials by anticipating divine help. For example, his impending fight with Goliath brought to mind God’s past and present delivering power (1 Samuel 17:37). In facing King Saul’s murderous threats and advances, David relied on the Lord’s protection as his refuge and fortress (Psalm 18:2). And when grieving over the loss of loved ones, he let God’s presence and comfort fill his heart and mind (1 Samuel 30:3-6). 

As was the case with David, our circumstances can also serve as valuable prompts for meditation. God has given us His Word, a wonderful resource where His character, works, and purposes are clearly displayed. When your next difficulty comes, use it as a reminder to meditate on some attribute of the Lord—and draw the strength and hope to sustain you.

Bible in One Year: Judges 4-6 

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All people will give Jesus an account of their life, but those who trust in His name won’t be condemned.

John 5:22-24

Anyone who’s been in a courtroom knows the atmosphere of authority and fear that surrounds the judge as he or she takes a seat. One day, everyone will face the ultimate Judge—the Lord Jesus Christ. When we approach Him, we’ll be standing before the One who is perfectly righteous and just. He is impartial and will make decisions with all wisdom and complete knowledge. His standard for justice is truth, not opinion.

Jesus, who’s been given this job by His heavenly Father, is perfect for the position: He can sympathize with our weaknesses and understands our temptations because He, too, has suffered and been tempted—yet never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). 

Scripture teaches that while believers won’t be condemned on the day of judgment, they will each stand before Christ to give an account of their life (Romans 14:10-12). His purpose isn’t to punish but to evaluate and reward their good works.  

What comfort we have in knowing that our Judge is also our Savior, who loved us enough to die for us. Christ is for us, not against us. May this realization motivate us to love and live for the One who has delivered us from the fear of punishment (1 John 4:16-18). 

Bible in One Year: Joshua 20-22 

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When we fill our minds with righteous thoughts and trust God’s provision, we worry less.

Philippians 4:4-9

We live in a culture inundated with anxiety and fear, where people make a habit of worrying because it provides a false sense of control. But Christians don’t have to give in to these feelings, as we have a Savior who has promised us His peace, “which surpasses all comprehension” (Phil. 4:7). Thankfully, there are a couple of practices we can employ to guard against worry.

First, we must be careful about what we allow to fill our mind—listening to the many purveyors of doom and gloom can easily lead to fear, anxiety, or panic. If you become agitated after hearing the news, listening to podcasts, or reading social media, it’s time to take a break. Instead, do what Paul encourages in today’s passage: Think about whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, commendable, and praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).

Another source of worry is materialism. The more we have, the more we fret about what might happen to our possessions and financial security. But Jesus warned against storing up treasure on earth (Matthew 6:19-20). Instead, we should seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness and trust Him to provide for our needs (Matthew 6:33). If we’ll put Him first, worry won’t gain a foothold in our lives.

Bible in One Year: Joshua 16-19 

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God doesn’t want us to be consumed with worry, and He enables us to overcome it.

Matthew 6:25-34

What do you worry about most? Is it your health, family, or maybe finances? Though we believe that our heavenly Father cares for us and His promises are dependable, many of us continue to worry. 

We all have responsibilities that demand our attention, but anxiety can act like a corrosive poison that eats away at our trust in God. So, then, what can we do about it?

To start with, we need to grow in both our knowledge of God and obedience to Him. As we become increasingly familiar with Scripture and our Father’s true nature, we’ll be more fully convinced that He cares for every detail of our life. Then, when we make decisions based on this knowledge and obey, our trust in Him will strengthen.

Whenever anxiety starts to creep in, remember who your heavenly Father is and what He has promised. Fill your mind with verses about His character, power, and love. Recite His promises and turn your worries over to Him. Since He’s told you not to be anxious, ignoring this command is actually a form of disobedience. But if you ask Him for help, He will enable you to reject worry and live in peace. 

Bible in One Year: Joshua 13-15 

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The good news of salvation can bring light into the darkness of a person’s life.

2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Think about light and darkness and the way they affect your ability to see. In the dark, we have no sense of direction or courage to move forward, but in the light, everything is clear. In a very real sense, this perspective holds true in the spiritual realm as well. Those who dwell in spiritual darkness cannot perceive realities about God. 

Thankfully, the Lord has the power to help us discern truth. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life” (John 8:12). That’s why the phrase “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” is the perfect description of the message of salvation (2 Cor. 4:4). It’s the good news that can transfer someone from spiritual darkness to light (Colossians 1:13). 

Those who have trusted Jesus as Savior are now “children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). God calls each of us to carry the gospel to an unbelieving world that cannot see in the dark. It’s important for our lifestyle to be distinct from the darkness around us. In your daily interactions, are you a light bearer who points the way to Christ?  

Bible in One Year: Joshua 10-12 

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Only God can save people; our responsibility is to share His message with the world.

Matthew 28:16-20

When a teacher gives an assignment, responsible students take it seriously. They do what’s required, give their best effort, and complete the work in a timely manner. 

Before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave us a commandment—an assignment really—but many Christians are half-hearted about completing the task. Christ told His followers to share the good news about salvation and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey His commands. Some believers dedicate themselves to this work, but others are either too busy or too timid to commit in this way. 

The scope of this assignment is global—to all nations. But that doesn’t mean everyone should move to another country. Some believers are called by God to go far from home, but others are called to minister right where they are. The mission field is all around us—in our homes, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. 

As Christ’s followers, we have the Holy Spirit residing within us, which means we have His power to fulfill this command. We can’t save anyone, but it’s our responsibility to tell people about the God who can. How will they believe unless they hear (Romans 10:14)?

Bible in One Year: Joshua 7-9

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We can’t eliminate sin from our life, but we can confess it to the Lord and draw closer to Him.

1 John 1:5-10, 1 John 2:1-6

Christ’s sacrifice on the cross paid for all our sins, but believers are still susceptible to temptation and disobedience. Therefore, we must understand what to do when we yield to our sinful desires. Knowing our struggle, God has graciously given us a way to receive cleansing so we can continue to grow in holiness. We’re to … 

• See sin as God sees it. Our Father is absolutely pure, and to Him, every sin is an offense that violates His law, grieves the Holy Spirit, and belittles Christ’s sacrifice. 

• Take responsibility for it. Trying to soften sin’s heinous nature by calling it a mistake, weakness, or shortcoming is unacceptable. We must acknowledge our guilt and disobedience rather than make excuses or blame others. 

• Confess it. Agreeing with God about our wrongdoing is a blessed privilege because He then washes us clean of the guilt. And what’s more, He empowers us to turn away from that sin in repentance so we can begin walking afresh in holiness.

Although John explained how we are to deal with sin, his main purpose was to encourage us to turn from it and walk in obedience to God. The longer we are Christians, the less sin should characterize our life. 

Bible in One Year: Deuteronomy 1-2 

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Jesus endured great pain so that we could become children of God.

Philippians 2:5-8

Our culture is inclined to enjoy temporary pleasures while disregarding what God says is the price of transgression (Romans 6:23). Even believers—especially those who have known Jesus a long time—can tend to forget what their sin cost Him. But it’s important to remember that for our sake, Jesus suffered …

•  Physical pain. In the hours leading to His crucifixion, the Lord was mocked, beaten, and humiliated. After being forced to carry the cross, He was nailed to it and hoisted up to die an excruciating death. 

• Man’s sin. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth. But at the cross of Calvary, the Father placed all of mankind’s sins upon Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). There, our Savior experienced the fullness of our transgressions, along with all the guilt, shame, and regret. 

• Abandonment. In the final hours, Jesus was separated from His Father (Mark 15:34). Our sin was the barrier that kept them apart until the work of atonement was finished (John 19:30). 

• Divine judgment. God’s wrath was poured out upon our Lord because of man’s sin. Christ experienced the condemnation we deserved. 

Our Savior suffered greatly on our behalf so we might become part of God’s family (John 1:12). Let’s allow the magnitude of His selfless gift to inspire a loving response. 

Bible in One Year: Numbers 26-27 

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When we commit to the Lord, He can use us for His kingdom.

Daniel 6:1-28

We live in a noncommittal world where the ability to persevere through adversity is a rare character trait. For instance, if a job is difficult or boring, it’s all too common for people to quit and find another one. Or when a marriage becomes stressful and unhappy, it often seems easier to give up or start over with a new mate. 

Sadly, this lack of commitment is evident even among believers. Many of us struggle to maintain a consistent quiet time with the Lord. Exhaustion, busyness, and misplaced priorities cause us to let that time slide. 

Daniel was a man of steadfast loyalty. Even the threat of death didn’t interfere with his practice of praying three times a day. Jealous satraps and commissioners saw this consistent devotion to God as an opportunity to set a trap. But the king’s words show he believed it would be the key to Daniel’s deliverance: “Your God whom you continually serve will Himself rescue you” (Dan. 6:16). 

The biblical descriptions of Daniel are impressive: He influenced nations and powerful leaders. But have you considered that the Lord was able to use him greatly because of his unwavering obedience and worship? If you likewise commit yourself to God, just imagine what He can do through your life.

Bible in One Year: Numbers 8-10

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Like Daniel, we can steadfastly follow God by clinging to His truth.

Daniel 1:1-21

Although our circles of influence vary in size, we all have the power to affect others—either for good or for bad. Whether at home, in the church, or in the world, our lives are on display. Many times we aren’t even aware of who is impacted by our words, attitudes, and actions. 

Daniel’s convictions, not his environment, determined his behavior. He believed in the absolute truth of the Scriptures and was determined not to defile himself in a pagan culture. His firm stance influenced everyone who came in contact with him—from lowly servants to kings of empires. 

Our world offers a multitude of ways to compromise on what we know is right, but if we’ll make up our minds ahead of time, we too can stand firm in our obedience to God. Although unbelievers may mock our values and lifestyle, their respect for us actually diminishes and our witness for Christ is damaged if we waver. 

Conviction about God’s truth is like an anchor. When the winds of opinion blow and the waves of temptation pound us, we can know with certainty the right way to respond. Your firm stand for what’s right can powerfully influence others. 

Bible in One Year: Numbers 6-7 

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We’re less likely to regret our decisions when we consult the Holy Spirit within us and the Word of God.

Proverbs 16:1-3

Have you ever chosen a certain path, only to find yourself regretting that decision later? Facing crossroads can at times seem overwhelming, but we have an all-knowing God to guide us. Therefore, we should wisely prepare beforehand for decisions we may have to make quickly.  

Scripture is our primary source for direction and wisdom. If we study, memorize, and meditate on God’s Word, He’ll bring truth to our mind at the appropriate time. What’s more, we have His indwelling Spirit to guide us. Christians who try to weigh the pros and cons themselves miss out on the wise counsel of the omniscient One.  

It is also wise to be aware of our mental state as we approach decisions. The acronym H.A.L.T. stands for “hungry, angry, lonely, and tired”—four states in which we’re more likely make poor choices. When considering options, it’s well worth waiting until a more favorable time. 

Your choices affect the direction of your life, so carefully consider what the Lord would have you do. Scripture is clear that we perceive dimly (1 Corinthians 13:12) but God sees the whole picture. That’s why it’s vital to rely upon His wisdom, truth, and direction in making decisions. 

Bible in One Year: Numbers 3-5 

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When we seek the Lord’s counsel in our decision-making, we’ll prioritize eternal concerns over temporal ones.

Genesis 25:19-34

The problem with being nearsighted is the inability to see what’s far away. Though we usually think of this as strictly a physical problem, it’s also possible to be spiritually short-sighted (2 Pet. 1:8-9). That is exactly what happened with Esau in today’s passage. He traded his birthright and all its long-term blessings for the immediate physical gratification of a bowl of soup. 

That sounds very foolish to us, yet we too can give up something excellent for temporary satisfaction. This happens when we give higher priority to our desires, appetites, or emotions than to the Lord. If our focus is on the temporal rather than the eternal, we’ll make decisions based on today’s needs and desires without considering tomorrow’s consequences.  In doing so, we sacrifice lasting treasure for fleeting satisfaction.  

To guard against what happened to Esau, avoid making important decisions in times of physical, emotional, or spiritual weakness. Take time to ask the Lord for guidance, and let biblical principles guide your thinking. Remember, self-control is a virtue God highly values (Gal. 5:22-23; 2 Pet. 1:5-8). So view every temptation to satisfy desires quickly as an opportunity to practice self-restraint and trust God. 

Bible in One Year: Numbers 1-2 

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What we hear from God depends on the condition of our heart.

Matthew 13:18-23

Two people sitting in the same pew and listening to the same message can respond in totally different ways. The determining factor is the state of a person’s heart, as the parable in today’s passage clearly shows.  

A Closed Heart. There are people who harden their heart against the truth. Some may even attend church. But no truth is able to penetrate because their mind is closed to any message they don’t want to follow.  

A Shallow Heart. Some people are passionate about what Christ can do for them but fall away when difficulties come. Because of their misplaced expectations, they fail to experience His provision in hardship. 

A Cluttered Heart. Those who are distracted with the world’s cares and values have no room in their heart for committed devotion to Christ. Therefore, the Word they hear produces no fruit.   

An Open Heart. This is the kind of attitude we should all desire and cultivate—one that positions us to hear, understand, and apply the truths of Scripture to our life. 

Which category are you in? If your heart is anything but open, ask the Lord for a new, fruitful one that is eager to know and obey His Word.  

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 26-27 

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We can turn to many things for fulfillment and purpose in life, but only Jesus will satisfy our soul.

John 4:3-18

What gives you a sense of fulfillment and purpose? Is it your family, job, hobbies, or relationships? None of these are wrong, but they can easily disappoint if you haven’t made the Lord your chief pursuit in life. 

While Jesus was sitting by a well in the region of Samaria, He met a woman who was vainly seeking fulfillment. She’d been married five times, and most likely each broken relationship left her feeling more unloved than before.

As they talked, Jesus pinpointed her sin by revealing that she was now living with a man who was not her husband. He wasn’t being cruel but instead was helping her recognize that she needed a Savior. Every prior attempt to fill up her life had been futile, and now Jesus offered the only solution that truly fulfills: Himself. He offered to give her “living water,” which satisfies so completely that whoever drinks of it will never thirst again (John 4:10-14).

Do you ever feel like the Samaritan woman—dissatisfied with life and thirsty for love, purpose, or fulfillment? Surrender to Jesus Christ and allow His life and love to flow through you. Only then will you experience the fullness He promises.  

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 17-20

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Only God can fulfill the yearning we have inside.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Many people appear happy and confident in public, but beneath the surface, they feel empty. Despite their attempts to fill life with pleasures, work, and impressive accomplishments, it’s all vanity. They have chased after fulfillment and purpose, but ultimately it’s been as futile as trying to catch the wind. 

There’s a good reason why life can feel empty. God created mankind with an internal yearning—one that He alone is able to satisfy. We cannot be fulfilled until we draw near to the Lord in repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. As we come to know and comprehend the love of God’s Son, we’ll be filled up to all the fullness of God (Eph. 3:14-19). 

Yet if that’s true, why do believers sometimes feel empty? It could result from disobedience, a refusal to surrender to God’s will, or misplaced priorities as we seek fulfillment in the world rather than in God Himself. When our hearts are set on having circumstances work out a certain way in life, we miss out on the fulfillment that God promises to those who seek Him above all else. It is in His presence that we find fullness of joy and pleasures forever (Ps. 16:11).

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 14-16  

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We can’t always rely on our own thoughts and feelings, but the Holy Spirit is a steady compass for life.

John 16:12-15

God sent His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. As a member of the Trinity, the Spirit is all-knowing and trustworthy to instruct us with regard to divine matters. But He promises to do so only for those who by faith have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

The primary way by which the Spirit directs us is through the Word of God. The Bible is His revelation to mankind, and every word of it is useful for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). That means we must faithfully read and study the Scriptures—and then trust the Holy Spirit to teach us. 

We cannot rely on our own thoughts, feelings, or experiences for guidance because they’re not the foundation for truth. Nor can we depend on the wisdom of the world or the culture around us—it’s foolishness to God and will lead us astray (1 Cor. 1:18-25).

Because of the Holy Spirit, you don’t have to go through life stumbling around in the dark. His guidance is freely available to you in Christ. So open your Bible and let the Spirit guide you into all truth.

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 11-13 

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Though we’ll always struggle with sin, we have the Holy Spirit within, guiding us according to God’s will.

1 Corinthians 2:12-16

Because human beings have a fallen nature and a finite mind, there are many facets of God’s greatness that we can’t fully grasp. In fact, the only way to understand divine truths is through the Holy Spirit, the all-knowing Teacher sent to live within believers. He interprets the things of God for us and helps us in many other ways. 

No one can come to Jesus Christ apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. He convicts us of sin, makes us aware of our need for a Savior, and gives us the faith to believe in Jesus and thereby be saved. 

Once we have surrendered our life to the Lord, the Spirit begins the process of sanctification. This transformation into the image of Christ is a lifelong process of continual growth through the Word of God. 

All along the way, the Spirit faithfully empowers us to spread the good news of salvation. He does this by guiding our words, giving us courage, and opening hearts so that hearers can believe. 

Thank God today for His indwelling Holy Spirit, who is actively working to lead you on an exciting walk of faith. 

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 8-10 

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The gospel is the good news the world needs, and God want believers to share it.

Mark 16:15-20

Suppose I asked what the mission of the church is—how would you answer? Although the church accomplishes many tasks, the most important is to share the gospel of Christ. Everything else is merely an extension of that. Never outdated or in need of correction, the good news of Jesus Christ is sufficient to meet humanity’s greatest need: salvation from bondage to sin, through reconciliation with the Father. 

The message has remained the same throughout the centuries, but there are many methods of making it known, including the spoken word, music, written material, and the media. But all these avenues of communication require the individual involvement of God’s people. 

Some Christians think the role of sharing the message and making disciples, known as the Great Commission, belongs only to pastors or missionaries. But every one of us has the responsibility to be involved—we all can give, pray, and tell friends and family what the Lord has done for us. 

When you’re truly committed to getting the gospel out, God will reveal what work He is calling you to do. He has a place for every one of His children—nobody is insignificant or without purpose. The limiting factor is not the Lord’s ability to use us but our availability to His call. 

Bible in One Year: Leviticus 5-7

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While life after salvation still has challenges, the Holy Spirit gives believers direction, peace, and joy.

Romans 8:12-25

Have you discovered that your expectations do not match the realities of your existence? We sometimes have the mistaken idea that God is going to make life easier after salvation. In some ways, this certainly is true: As believers, we have the Holy Spirit, who transforms us into Christ’s likeness, enabling us to handle struggles with peace, contentment, and even joy. But being a Christian does not spare us from troubles and hardships. (See John 16:33.)

As Paul explains, our present sufferings cannot be compared to the glories we will one day know. So for now, we “groan within ourselves” (Rom. 8:23) while awaiting Christ’s coming kingdom and the redemption of our bodies. When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price, redeemed us, and brought us into His kingdom. However, we are still in a fallen state—that’s why we continue to struggle with sin. Our full redemption will become reality upon Christ’s return, when our bodies will be resurrected into their glorified state.  

Do you groan within yourself for that day, knowing that the world is not your home—or have you allowed your affections and interests to be dominated by this earthly life?  

Bible in One Year: Exodus 36-38 

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Learning the Bible is essential for Christians, but so is being able to explain why we believe its doctrines.

Colossians 2:1-8

A seedling needs nutrients and time to grow into a tall, sturdy tree. In the same way, our convictions develop gradually through committed Bible study and prayer. In order to be firmly planted in biblical truth, we can’t simply hold up the Bible and claim we believe every word. We need to know why we’re convinced that the basic doctrines of the faith are true. 

Here are some questions to help you get started:

• Why do you consider the Bible to be true and trustworthy? 

• Why is Jesus Christ the only way to be saved? 

• What is the Holy Spirit’s role in the lives of believers and unbelievers? 

• What does the Bible say about stewardship of the earth?

• How should you think and act with regard to issues of justice and oppression? 

It’s my hope that these questions will cause you to contemplate how your personal philosophies have developed. Study the Bible and make it the cornerstone of your thinking. Evaluate what God says rather than looking at an issue through the lens of personal preference.  Ground yourself in Scripture. Then whenever a new philosophy comes along, you’ll be able to stand firm in the faith without wavering.  

Bible in One Year: Exodus 31-33

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