Words of Hope Daily Devotional
In Times of Plenty
Read: Proverbs 3:1-18
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (v. 5)
It’s easy to want more, isn’t it? More money. More things. More of what someone else has. And if not more, maybe it’s a consistent desire for an upgrade of one of your most prized possessions—something just a little better than what you have.
In all of our inherent wanting, it might be hard to recognize when we’re in seasons of plenty. Perhaps instead of seeing what we want next, we need to celebrate the goodness and abundance of God today.
Two well-known Bible readings remind us of God’s providence, his “plenty” for us. We do not achieve this on our own. Psalm 23, which contains some of the most memorized verses in the Bible, says, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (v. 5). Proverbs 3 offers a similar image: “then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (v. 10). This abundance is in response to honoring the Lord with our wealth (v. 9). These verses precede some important reminders on the value of acquiring wisdom above all else (vv. 13-18).
When we are given much, how can we glorify God? By doing so with gratitude for his choice to bless us and living in the humility that we don’t achieve plenty on our own. It’s also important that we remain aware of how we, in this season, are called to share with others in our lives who may be in want (v. 27).
As you pray, ask God to help you live well, honoring his good gifts.
About the Author
Joy Petroelje serves as the grants manager for a faith-based international nonprofit organization. Aside from work, she enjoys family time, coffee or dinner with friends, writing, reading, and running.
Gracious God and Heavenly Father
Read: Romans 8:31-39 If God is for us, who can be against us? (v. 31) Our Words of Hope staff gathers Monday mornings to pray together. I’ve noticed a few begin with “Our gracious God and heavenly Father . .
Father
Read: Matthew 6:5-15 Pray to your Father who is in secret. (v. 6) It had to be a stunning moment when the disciples received Jesus’s teaching to begin their prayer with “Our Father” (v. 9). While the Old Testament speaks
The Gift of This Day
Read: Psalm 139 In your book were written . . . the days that were formed for me. (v. 16) Life expectancy in the United States is around 75 years. That’s 27,375 days. What day are you on? Only God
Lord God King of Glory
Read: Psalm 24 The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! (v. 10) On the many occasions that I have prayed with the Words of Hope Uganda ministry leader, Titus Baraka, he almost always begins with, “Lord God,
Most Merciful God
Read: Psalm 51 Cleanse me from my sin! (v. 2) David was the king by which all future kings of Israel would be compared. He foreshadows our eternal King, Jesus. And he sinned royally. In 2 Samuel 12, we read
Holy God
Read: Isaiah 6:1-7 Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts. (v. 3) I am privileged to pray with myriads of people around the world. I’ve noticed that people often begin prayers in a similar way each time. One friend of