Daily Devotional

Found in the book of Numbers is a priestly blessing that God shares with Moses. God commands Moses to tell Aaron and his sons that this is how they are to bless the Israelite people. This blessing reminds the people that God is present. God’s people are not alone. They have been saved by God. Led by God to the promised land and God will continue to work among them. From the time of Moses to today, this blessing is often spoken among God’s people.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

Let thy steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
thy salvation according to thy promise;
then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in thy word.

One of the most stunning and powerful moments in the Bible involves the prophet, Ezekiel. In the book of Ezekiel, the readers encounter the powerful visions of the prophet as the people of Judah experience deportation after Jerusalem falls to the powerful Babylonians. It was a time when hope was lost, and no one knew what the future would hold for God’s people, their families or even their own lives.

A proverb that challenges me to be mindful of how I use my words is Proverbs 15:4: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Music is a powerful language. Rhythms and melodies can lift a person’s spirit and carry them to the highest of heights. Well-written lyrics, when paired with the right tune, can carry the message of love, hope, joy and so much more.

Alanis Morissette’s iconic song “Ironic” paints a picture of life’s frustrating moments: rain on your wedding day, a vegetarian at a steakhouse. We label these situations as “ironic,” implying a cruel twist of fate. But what if, instead, we saw God’s orchestration at work?

Natalia Petosa will be a second-grade student this coming school year. She had a wonderful first-grade year. Like most children her age, Natalia loves her friends and recess.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.
May you be blessed by the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
The highest heavens belong to the Lord,
but the earth he has given to mankind.