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The Sun Rises Even in the Rain – 1 Corinthians 2 – 2025 Day 239
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 2
Two years ago, when I originally wrote this post, I’d woken up early because I wanted to watch the sun rise. I was eagerly anticipating the sun turning the sky pink, purple, and orange as it crested the horizon over the lake where my sisters-in-Christ and I have been staying since Friday. Instead, I was greeted by a rainstorm beating down on the metal roof of the porch under which I was taking shelter.
But still, the sun rose.
But still, it got brighter minute by minute.
But still, a new day dawned.
Friends, God is still on His throne even when we don’t see His glory. God still reigns even when His presence is hidden behind clouds, and His voice can’t be heard over the pouring rain.
In God’s perfect wisdom, He had decreed before the ages that His Own Son would be hung upon a cross to die for the sins of man. In the eyes of human wisdom or logic, it appeared that Satan had won and God had been defeated.
Oh, sisters, but God. Up from the grave He arose!
Suddenly, the cries of a bird rang out over the pounding of the storm. The birds were awake and singing in the trees, despite the rain. The storm won’t stop them, and it shouldn’t stop us, either.
Darkness can’t overpower the light. The rain can’t drown out the sun. The sun still rises, even in a thunderstorm.
Heavenly Father, Death could not contain Him. A grave could not defeat Him. Darkness, no matter how deep, cannot keep the King of Glory from shining. I pray that our faith would be in You and You alone. You are Almighty. You are Victorious! No storm can delay what You have decreed. Your purposes will stand. You don’t always give us “cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels.” Sometimes you give us pitch black nights and thunderstorms that last for hour upon hour. Help me remember that the trees need the rain so they can grow, and the world needs the darkness of night so it can rest. Help me trust You, rather than myself. Help me to doubt human reasoning and believe Your Word. Help me remember that You reign over the rain. In the Good and Sovereign Name of Jesus Christ I pray. Amen.
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TODAY’S PODCAST: Are you Dead or Alive? 1 Corinthians 1
Are You Dead or Alive? – 1 Corinthians 1 – 2025 Day 238
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 26; 1 Corinthians 1
1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV
We’re either in the process of perishing or in the process of being saved. Where are you? Are you perishing or are you being saved? Are you dead or are you alive?
And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:1-7 ESV
Please take the time to read this incredible sermon by Charles Spurgeon titled, “Once Dead, Now Alive.” Or click here to listen to it read aloud.
Here’s a brief excerpt of it, which I hope will cause you to want to read the whole thing.
To find out what spiritual death means, I shall ask you to remember that this dead body here is characterized by an absence of sense.
Be not afraid, it is your brother man; come close up to him, and speak. He does not hear you. Speak more loudly; he does not answer you, he gives no sign of recognition. Shout at the very top of your voice; stoop down, and speak into his ear. Alas! it is the clay-cold ear of death, upon which no effect whatever is produced.
I remember when I was spiritually just like that. I could not hear even the voice of Jesus, though it was very soft and tender. He said, “Come unto me,” but I did not respond to his call. There were others near me who did; but I was dead, and took no notice.
Then there came a louder sound, a voice of threatening, a message of condemnation. God spoke from the top of Sinai, and hurled at me the ten great thunderbolts of his law; yet still I did not hear. I had broken all those commands, and I must bear the penalty of disobedience; the law told me so, but I did not hear.
Friends led me, sometimes, dead as I was, where both the law and the gospel were fully preached; but I did not hear, I could not hear. Sounds went past the drum of my ear, and my body heard; but the ear of my heart was not reached, I could not hear, for I was dead.
Charles Spurgeon, ‘Once Dead, Now Alive,’ 1888
Oh, save us, Lord. Our nation is perishing! Our people are dying for lack of knowledge and understanding. We have trusted in ourselves and turned our backs on You, preferring the fake wisdom of man over the true wisdom of God.
Forgive us, Lord. Have mercy on our souls. Draw us back to You by Your steadfast lovingkindness.
I once was lost but now I’m found. I once was dead but now I’m alive. Praise Your Name. You opened my eyes and gave my life. You brought me out of the darkness. You set my feet on the Solid Rock. You hid me under the shelter of Your Almighty Wings. Thank You, Father!
You loved us so much that You sent Your Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. Let us not waiver any longer. May we choose this day whom we will serve, and may it be You and You alone for You alone are worthy. You deserve all the praise and all the glory. In the matchless name of Jesus I pray. Amen
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TODAY’S PODCAST: Taking Refuge in the Lord – Psalm 25 – 2025 Day 237
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 25
“To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me…. Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.” – Psalm 25:1-2, 20 ESV
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.” – Zephaniah 2:3 ESV
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1Peter 5:6-11 ESV
Or click here to watch the podcast on YouTube.
Today’s podcast features a devotion on Psalm 25 from “In the Lord I Take Refuge: 150 Daily Devotions through the Psalms” by Dane Ortlund
As For Me and My House – Joshua 24 – 2025 Day 236
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 24, Joshua 24
“Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” …
“Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the LORD, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.”
He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.” And the people said to Joshua, “The LORD our God we will serve, and his voice we will obey.”
Joshua 24:14-15; 22-24 ESV
Heavenly Father, What foreign gods am I serving? Where is my heart not inclined toward You? Where am I still limping between the world and the Lord rather than fully surrendering all to You? Show me where I’m falling short, Lord. I don’t want to be blind to my own iniquity. I want to love You more, that I might serve You better, for You are worthy and good. I pray that my whole family will be surrendered to Your will and live for Your glory. In the Name of Jesus Christ who died in my place I pray. Amen.
Click HERE to watch or listen to today’s podcast.
TODAY’S PODCAST: God Keeps His Promises – Psalm 23, Joshua 23
Or click here to watch (or listen) on YouTube.
God Keeps His Promises – Joshua 23 – 2025 Day 235
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 23, Joshua 23
God is faithful to keep every word of every promise. If He said it, we can believe it. We may not know exactly when it will come to pass, but we can trust that it will.
Like He said to the Israelites as they took possession of the Promised Land,
But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you.
Joshua 23:15 ESV
Are we promise-keeping parents? If we tell our child that we will take them for ice cream if they finish all their chores, do we do it? If we tell our child that they will get a spanking if they do that ‘one more time,’ do we do it? Am I the only one who has an easier time keeping my promise of a treat than my promise of a punishment?
In God’s absolute sovereignty, omniscient wisdom, and omnipotent power, He is able to keep every promise. Let’s trust Him and cling to Him and try to be more like Him which includes not making random threats that we’re never going to keep, nor manipulating our children with promises of rewards that we don’t intend to give.
Heavenly Father, I’m so glad that I can trust You. I’m so thankful that You are honest and faithful, mighty and true. You are a promise keeping God. If you’ve said it, I can believe it. Grow my faith, Lord. Bury Your Word deep in my soul, water it with Your Spirit, bathe it in the sunshine of Your love, that it may bear great multitudes of fruit and bring You glory. I love You, Lord. Turn my heart, and my mouth, to sing Your praise and to speak Your Holy Words to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Words made flesh, I pray. Amen.
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Steadfast Love – Joshua 22 – 2025 Day 234
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 22, Joshua 22
Wow, this is a rich chapter full of practical application for my own life! It reminded me to be steadfast and faithful and to keep my promises, even when I’d rather not. It reminded me of the greatest commandment to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. It reminded me that love is more than just an emotion. Love is an action, and love results in humble submission to the will of the one we love. If we love God, we will obey His commands, like John 14:15 says.
Only be very careful to observe the commandment
Joshua 22:5 ESV
and the law
that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,
to love the LORD your God,
and to walk in all his ways
and to keep his commandments
and to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart
and with all your soul.”
It reminded me that I need to not be so quick to judge other people’s motives, but instead give them the benefit of the doubt until I have time to hear from them. If I’m having a problem with someone, I should bring it to their attention and talk to them about it. And then I need to really listen to what they have to say, rather than assuming the worst.
It reminded me that God cares about why these Israelite tribes were building that altar – but also that just having the right motives doesn’t make something ok. There are still right and wrong decisions even if your heart is in the right place.
That was a lot from one chapter out of the Old Testament! 🎉
Heavenly Father, please help me to be faithful to keep my promises, even when it would be easier to just move on. You are a promise keeping God, and I want to be more like You. Cleanse my heart and renew my mind. Help me to love You with my all in all. Help me not turn aside to idols, remembering that I cannot serve both You and my own passions. Give me the patience and courage I need to talk to people that I’m having problems with and to sincerely listen, rather than hastily prejudging their motives. Make me more like You, Lord. I want to be more like You. In the Name of Jesus Christ, my Savior, Redeemer, Lord, and Perfect Example for everything, I pray. Amen.
Here’s the audio file for the podcast – take a listen for yourself.
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God is Sovereign: He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands – Joshua 21 – 2025 Day 233
Read through the Bible in 2 Years: Psalm 21, Joshua 21
Two year ago, when I originally wrote these posts, I was in the middle of working on a talk about God’s sovereignty. So, imagine how I felt when I noticed that Joshua 21 ends with these beautiful words.
Not one word of all the good promises that the LORD had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45 ESV
Joshua 21:45 reminds me of a quote from the book Does God Control Everything? by R.C. Sproul which I shared in my talk on sovereignty
“If God is not sovereign, then God is not God. If there is even one maverick molecule in the universe … we cannot have the slightest confidence that any promise God has ever made about the future will come to pass.”
R.C. Sproul.
Heavenly Father, You are indeed good, and You are indeed sovereign. You are sovereign over us. Your plans are for good and not for evil. Your plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. Your plans are for our good and for Your glory. We believe that every word of God proves true; You are a shield to those who take refuge in You. We are so, so thankful for Your power and might. Help us to trust You in the fire and in the flood, to walk by faith and not by fear. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our sovereign Lord, the Almighty King over all kings, we pray. Amen.
Click HERE for today’s video podcast on YouTube.
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