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Bible Reading Plan

Reading Plan: Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields with fire.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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Daily Devotional: Simple Trust and Pure Devotion

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:31-33

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”

Matthew 7:11

Growing up, my mom had a strict rule to be home for dinner at 5 p.m. I always knew there would be good, warm food. I never even considered an alternative. If I didn’t make it home by her standards, then I was not allowed to go back outside to play after dinner. As a kid, I was “seeking” her kingdom and her righteousness—because she set my rules. Even if I missed the mark, food, clothes, or shelter were never even in danger of removal. While she wasn’t perfect, she was a good mom who provided for her children.

My daughter’s giant mutt eats his kibble voraciously. He gulps water like he walked miles in the desert. He obeys her and seeks her approval and attention. He once caught a sugar glider, probably a pet that got loose, and held it gently in his mouth. When instructed to “leave it,” he opened his mouth and dropped it out. He was “seeking” my daughter’s kingdom and her righteousness. He was not worried about his next meal; He knew he would be fed. He did not have to succumb to his wild instincts and eat this odd little creature. 

A child trusts their parents, and a dog trusts its human. This trust knows deeply that they will be provided for, that their needs and many of their wants will be met.. The trust is often so pure they never even consider not being taken care of. 

But what about with God? How often do I doubt His care and provision? If we, as humans, can give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father care for us? May these passages serve as a strong reminder to cast our cares on Him!

Next Steps

Here is a prayer to recite if you’re feeling anxiety or worry about the future: Lord, help me come to you with the simple heart of a child, fully trusting in Your care. When I wake, may my first thoughts worship You. Let my day be filled with gratitude for the simple and extravagant provisions by Your hand. Let my last thought be of your universal power and intimate presence. Show me how to seek Your Kingdom and Your will, and let me fully rest in Your perfect, loving character. Amen.

Check out this song to inspire you to keep your eyes on Jesus: Citizen Way – WaveWalker (Official Lyric Video) ft. Bart Millard