Running Toward the Giant
Scripture:
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty.” — 1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)
Sometimes the giants in our lives seem impossible to face. They tower over us — fear, doubt, grief, rejection, addiction, financial strain, or broken relationships. We look at them and feel small, unequipped, and outmatched. But David shows us that victory doesn’t come from our own strength — it comes from the power of the God who goes before us.
When the young shepherd boy stood before Goliath, he didn’t have a sword, a shield, or a soldier’s training. All he carried was a sling, five smooth stones, and unshakable faith. While others cowered in fear, David ran toward the giant.
“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty — the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
— 1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)
That’s not just a story of bravery — it’s a declaration of where real power lies.
David didn’t run because he was fearless; he ran because his faith was greater than his fear. He wasn’t trusting his aim — he was trusting his God.
Each of us faces moments when we have to choose: will we shrink back, or will we step forward in the name of the Lord? When we remember who fights for us, the size of the giant no longer matters.
Faith doesn’t deny the presence of the giant — it declares that God is bigger.
So, when life shouts its threats and you feel outnumbered, take heart. Pick up your stone of faith, lift your eyes to heaven, and run toward the battle in Jesus’ name. The same God who empowered David stands with you now. The battle has always belonged to Him.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding me that You are greater than any giant I will ever face. Help me to run toward my battles with courage, trusting in Your power and not my own. Let my life declare Your strength and victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For Such a Time as This
Scripture:
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (ESV)
There are moments in life when God positions us—quietly, purposefully—in places we never expected to be. We might not understand why we’re there, or why the path to this point was so winding, but in His sovereignty, God is always weaving a plan far greater than our own.
Esther knew that feeling well.
A young Jewish woman, orphaned and living in exile, she never could have imagined becoming queen of Persia. Yet, in a turn of divine providence, God placed her right where she needed to be—“for such a time as this.”
When Esther learned of Haman’s plan to destroy her people, she faced an impossible choice: remain silent and safe, or risk everything to speak up. Her cousin Mordecai’s words echoed through history:
“And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” — Esther 4:14 (ESV)
Those same words still whisper to us today.
You may not wear a crown, but you carry influence. You may not stand before a king, but your voice matters in the places God has planted you—your home, your community, your work, your circle of friends.
There will be moments when God calls you to speak truth, to show courage, or to act in faith. You might not feel ready, but He equips those He calls. Esther didn’t feel prepared either, but she fasted, prayed, and trusted that God would go before her—and He did.
Maybe you’ve walked through loss, change, or unexpected challenges that left you wondering why now? why here?
Remember this: you are not here by accident. Every part of your story has prepared you for this season.
God doesn’t waste pain. He doesn’t misplace people. He appoints them.
You are right where you need to be—for such a time as this.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for placing me exactly where You want me to be. Help me see my circumstances through Your eyes. Give me courage to speak truth, wisdom to act with grace, and faith to trust that You are working behind the scenes. Use me, Lord, for such a time as this. Amen.
When You Feel Unseen
Scripture:
“You are the God who sees me.” — Genesis 16:13
There are moments in life when we feel invisible—when our efforts go unnoticed, our hearts feel unheard, and our prayers seem to echo in silence. We show up, we give, we serve, and yet it feels as though no one truly sees us. Those are tender, difficult moments—the ones that make us question if what we’re doing really matters.
But the truth is, God sees you.
He sees the quiet sacrifices you make that no one thanks you for.
He sees the tears you hide behind a smile.
He sees the long nights you’ve prayed for your children, family, and future.
He sees you when you feel forgotten by others—because He never forgets.
In Genesis 16, Hagar fled into the wilderness, wounded and alone. She was mistreated, rejected, and pregnant, with nowhere to go. But the Lord found her by a spring of water and spoke life and promise over her. In that moment, she gave God a name: El Roi — “The God who sees me.”
Sometimes, we need to remember that same truth. God’s eyes are not just on the world in general; they are on you. He doesn’t overlook your pain, obedience, or faithfulness in the small things. When the world forgets your name, God whispers it tenderly.
So, when you feel unseen, take heart. You are fully known and deeply loved by the One who created you. You are seen in the secret place, and nothing about your journey escapes His notice. Keep walking faithfully. The God who sees will reward what is done in quiet with a glory that shines in His time.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for seeing me when no one else does. Help me remember that my worth isn’t measured by recognition but by Your love. Let me find peace and purpose in Your presence, even when I feel hidden from the world. Teach me to rest in the assurance that You see, You know, and You care. Amen.
Faith in Fire
Faith is easy when the sky is clear and everything feels secure. But the real test of faith comes when the winds shift — when the doctor calls, when the child drifts away, when the job ends, when prayers seem unanswered. That’s where faith either fades… or is forged into something unshakable.
In 1 Peter 1:7, we read, “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold.” Fire refines. It removes what’s temporary and reveals what’s eternal. And though it burns, it blesses too — because what remains after the fire is something pure, strong, and true.
Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They refused to bow to the king’s idol, even when threatened with a fiery furnace. Their faith wasn’t dependent on the outcome. They said, “The God we serve is able to deliver us… but even if He does not, we will not bow.”
That’s faith in the fire — not confidence that everything will go our way, but conviction that God is still worthy, no matter what happens.
Every believer will walk through fire at some point. It may be the fire of loss, heartbreak, betrayal, or fear. We pray for deliverance, but sometimes God’s greatest miracle isn’t taking us out of the fire — it’s joining us in it. Just as the king looked into the furnace and saw four men instead of three, God’s presence is most visible in our hardest moments.
I remember seasons of my own life when I felt consumed by the flames — when grief, uncertainty, or exhaustion made me question if I’d make it through. But every time, I found that God was already in the fire, holding me steady, shaping me quietly, turning what felt like destruction into a deeper dependence on Him.
Faith in the fire changes us. It burns away fear, pride, and self-reliance. It teaches us to let go of control and hold on to God’s promises instead. It turns our “Why me?” into “What now, Lord?” And it makes our testimony stronger, our compassion deeper, and our purpose clearer.
So if you find yourself in the fire today, don’t panic. Don’t assume you’re alone. Look closer — the fourth figure is there. His presence doesn’t always remove the heat, but it always ensures the flame won’t consume you.
The same God who walked in the furnace walks beside you now. You’ll come out changed — glowing with the kind of faith that only the fire can create.
Prayer
Lord, when life feels like a furnace, help me to trust that You are with me in the flames. Teach me not to fear the fire but to let it refine me. Burn away everything that keeps me from fully trusting You, and make my faith pure and strong. Let my trials become my testimony. Amen.
Finding God in Everyday Moments
Scripture:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
We often look for God in the extraordinary — in miracles, answers to prayers, or the moments that take our breath away. But more often than not, He reveals Himself in the quiet, everyday places: the warmth of morning light, the sound of laughter in another room, or a simple act of love that appears out of nowhere.
The other day, I walked into my room and found a small note resting on my pillow. It was from one of my foster children. In crayon, they had drawn sunshine, butterflies, and birds in trees. In the center were the words, “I love you, Nonie.”
I just stood there for a moment, overwhelmed. This child has come from a place of deep darkness — a life that had known fear, loss, and uncertainty. And yet, here was this note, filled with color and light. I thought of how faithful God is — how He brings beauty out of brokenness, and how He can transform even the heaviest past into something full of hope.
In that simple drawing, I saw the hand of God. I saw healing. I saw what it means when Scripture says He makes all things new. That little piece of paper reminded me that God is always near, showing Himself in ways we might overlook — through the joy of a child, a quiet moment of gratitude, or a heart finally learning to feel safe again.
Sometimes, finding God isn’t about seeing something spectacular — it’s about slowing down long enough to notice His fingerprints on the ordinary. When we pause, we realize He’s been there all along — in the sunshine, in the laughter, in the whispered “I love you.”
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to see You in the small, everyday moments. Help me to recognize Your presence in the simple gifts — a child’s laughter, a note of love, a quiet morning. Thank You for bringing light into the dark places of our lives and for reminding us that You are always near. Amen.
Planted, Not Buried
There are seasons in life when everything feels dark and hidden. The dreams we once held close seem to fade. Prayers go unanswered. Opportunities slip away. We look around and wonder, “Lord, what happened?” It can feel like we’ve been buried — pushed down, covered over, forgotten.
But what if we haven’t been buried? What if we’ve been planted?
Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” — John 12:24
A seed doesn’t grow on the surface. It grows in the soil — in the dark, in the waiting, in the unseen places. When it’s first covered by dirt, it looks like the end. But beneath that surface, something sacred is happening. Roots begin to stretch down, life begins to stir, and before long, a shoot breaks through into the light.
I’ve had times in my life when I’ve felt like that seed — hidden, uncertain, waiting for God to show me why things had to happen the way they did. But as the years have gone by, I’ve learned that the dark seasons are not wasted seasons. They are often the most transformative ones.
When I was walking through pain, disappointment, or loss, I didn’t always understand what God was doing. I just knew it was hard. Yet looking back, I can see how He was strengthening my roots — deepening my faith, humbling my heart, and preparing me for something new. The very moments that felt like endings were often beginnings in disguise.
The difference between being buried and being planted is purpose. A buried seed is forgotten. A planted seed is expected to grow. And friend, God has not forgotten you. You’ve been planted with purpose.
Maybe you’re in a season of darkness right now. Maybe it feels like you’ve been pushed down by life’s weight — grief, rejection, change, or uncertainty. Take heart. God is at work beneath the surface. What feels like isolation may actually be preparation. What feels like loss may be the very soil where new life begins.
In time, what’s been planted will rise. The waiting will give way to growth, and the sorrow will turn to joy. You’ll look back and realize that God never buried you — He was planting something extraordinary within you all along.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for reminding me that I am planted, not buried. When I can’t see what You’re doing, help me to trust that You are growing something beautiful in me. Strengthen my roots in faith and hope, and give me patience in the waiting. Amen.
Listening for the Whisper
In a world full of noise, it can be hard to hear the whisper of God. The distractions, the responsibilities, the endless hum of life — they all compete for our attention. Yet God rarely shouts. He doesn’t often come in the thunder or the earthquake. More often, His voice comes in the stillness.
Scripture tells us that when Elijah was hiding in the cave, God passed by. “A great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.” — 1 Kings 19:11–12
That gentle whisper — that’s where God was.
My grandmother, whom I called Mama Dolly, used to tell me about God’s soft whispering voice. She followed it diligently. She could sense when God was calling her to do something — when to speak, when to be still, when to give, when to go. As a little girl, I watched her live out her faith through that quiet obedience. She didn’t need a flashing sign or a booming command. She listened — and she trusted.
I grew up learning to recognize that same whisper. Over the years, I’ve learned that when God speaks to the heart, it’s not always loud or obvious. It’s a stirring, a knowing, a peace that comes when we align our hearts with His will.
When I’m called about foster children, I think of Mama Dolly and her listening heart. Each time, I stop and prayerfully ask God, “Are these the children You are leading me to impact? Or is there someone else for them, and should I wait?”
That pause — that moment of quiet listening — has become one of the most sacred parts of the journey. I’ve learned that God has very specific reasons for placing certain children in our home. Sometimes I understand His plan right away; other times, I don’t see it until long after they’ve left. But eventually, there’s always an “Ah-ha” moment — that beautiful realization when I see His divine wisdom at work.
Listening for God’s whisper takes practice. It takes stillness in a busy world and trust in uncertain seasons. His whisper doesn’t compete with the world’s volume — it simply waits to be heard. The more we quiet our hearts, the clearer His voice becomes.
Maybe you’re in a season where you’re asking for direction — for answers that haven’t come yet. Be still. Step away from the noise. God’s voice is often closer than you think, speaking softly through peace, conviction, or gentle nudges that guide your path.
Prayer:
Lord, help me to be still enough to hear Your whisper. Quiet the noise around me so I can listen for Your gentle voice. Teach me to follow where You lead, even when I don’t yet see the full picture. Thank You for speaking in ways that bring peace and purpose. Amen.
The Beauty of Second Chances
There’s something sacred about second chances. We all need them—every one of us. Sometimes it’s a relationship that needs mending, a calling we once walked away from, or a moment when we simply missed the mark. But God, in His boundless mercy, doesn’t discard us. He redeems us. He takes what was broken, bruised, or forgotten and breathes new life into it.
Scripture tells us, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23
What a gift it is to know that every sunrise carries the promise of renewal. Yesterday’s failures don’t have to define today’s story. God’s grace is big enough to meet us right where we are and gentle enough to lift us where we need to go.
I’ve lived this truth. When I went through my divorce, I was so hurt and ashamed. I felt like I had let my kids down—and more than that, I felt I had let God down. I’ve always been a family person. I wanted that “perfect family,” that golden 50th wedding anniversary, the lifelong love story that held strong through everything. When that dream fell apart, I carried a deep sense of failure.
Years later, I remarried, and through that journey, I learned something profound: we all make mistakes in our lives. We are all part of something that hurts, whether directly or indirectly. But God sees our hearts. He knows our intentions. He understands the ache of a soul that still longs to do right. He doesn’t dismiss us when we fall short. Instead, He lovingly invites us to begin again.
God wants us to have an abundant life—not a flawless one, but a faithful one. Even in our failures, He gives us opportunities to grow, to love better, and to live more fully in Him. In those second chances, we learn from our past and allow His grace to reshape our hearts.
Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him with purpose and compassion. “Feed my sheep,” He said—a calling born from failure but redeemed by love. That’s the heart of God: He turns brokenness into beauty, endings into beginnings, and shame into redemption.
Maybe you’re in a place where something feels over—a dream, a relationship, or a sense of who you once were. Don’t lose hope. God’s mercy is still writing your story. There’s beauty in your second chance.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of second chances. When I falter, remind me that Your mercy is new every morning. Heal the parts of my heart that still ache from failure, and help me extend grace to myself and to others. Teach me to trust that You can turn every ending into a beginning. Amen.
Standing in the Gap
Hebrews 13:3 — “Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
All around the world, our brothers and sisters in Christ face persecution for the very faith we freely proclaim. In Nigeria, countless believers are enduring unimaginable hardship — churches burned, families displaced, lives threatened — all because they follow Jesus.
As Christians, we cannot turn away. We must stand in the gap. Prayer is not a passive act; it is a weapon of spiritual warfare. When we lift up the persecuted, we are standing shoulder to shoulder with them in the Spirit, declaring that they are not forgotten and that God’s light still shines in the darkest places.
Sometimes it’s easy to feel helpless when we hear such stories. But Scripture reminds us that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective (James 5:16). Every time you whisper a prayer for a believer in danger, Heaven moves. Every time you intercede, angels are dispatched. When we remember them in our prayers, we join the heart of Jesus Himself — the One who intercedes continually for us.
Let us also pray for the persecutors — that their hearts would be softened, their eyes opened, and their lives transformed by the very Christ they seek to silence. The story of Paul reminds us that God can turn even the fiercest enemy of the Church into one of its greatest champions.
So today, pause and pray. Pray for courage, for protection, for provision, and for peace. Pray for the widows and the orphans. Pray for the pastors still standing strong despite fear. Pray for revival in Nigeria — that what the enemy meant for evil, God will use to spark a wave of faith that cannot be extinguished.
Prayer:
Lord, we lift up Your children in Nigeria who suffer for Your name. Surround them with Your strength and courage. Protect their families and provide for their needs. Let Your presence be a shield around them. And Father, we pray even for their persecutors — that Your mercy would break through hardened hearts and draw them into the light of salvation. Teach us to be faithful intercessors, remembering always that when one part of the body suffers, we all suffer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Don’t Grow Weary in Doing Good
Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
There are days when the weight of kindness feels heavy. When your efforts seem unnoticed. When helping, giving, and serving begin to feel like more pouring out than filling up. Maybe you’ve been praying for someone who hasn’t changed, giving to someone who doesn’t say thank you, or showing up when others stay home. You begin to wonder — does it even matter?
But Galatians 6:9 reminds us that God sees every seed we plant. The harvest isn’t always immediate, and it doesn’t always look like we expect, but the promise stands firm — if we don’t give up. The good you do today might be the answer to someone else’s prayer tomorrow. The smile you give, the kindness you show, the forgiveness you extend — these are not wasted moments. They are eternal investments.
Even Jesus grew weary as He walked dusty roads healing, teaching, and loving people who didn’t always love Him back. Yet He never stopped doing good. He never stopped giving. He never stopped trusting His Father’s timing.
So if you’re feeling tired today, remember this — you’re planting seeds that Heaven is watering. The harvest will come, perhaps not in the season you expect, but in the one God has already appointed. Keep showing up. Keep doing good. Keep trusting that the One who called you sees your effort, honors your endurance, and will make all things beautiful in His time.
Prayer:
Lord, when I grow weary, remind me that You see me. Help me keep doing good even when no one notices. Strengthen my heart and renew my spirit. Let me trust that the seeds I sow in faith will one day bloom into a harvest that glorifies You. Amen.
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