Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. Psalms 98:8-9 (NIV) We do not normally associate singing with God’s judgment. Why would someone sing for joy about the day when God will send so many people to destruction? Isn’t this a sad time? This Psalmist does not think of judgment this way. They are thinking of judgment in terms of God bringing goodness and justice to the earth. Do we not mourn all the suffering around us? Are we not sick of all the malevolence dwelling in so many people? Are we not sad about all the hearts that rebel against God and persuade others to do the same? Instead, we look for an end to suffering and neediness. We Continue Reading →

Light shines on the righteousand joy on the upright in heart. Psalms 97:11 (NIV) The lost may find temporary pleasure or prosperity in their unrighteous pursuits and hobbies, but these benefits are nothing compared to the blessings of the righteous. Anyone who has believed in Christ and abides in him is righteous. And for us God gives light. We can see what road we are on and where we are going. We can see the obstacles and pits on our path and go around them. In God’s light we see what others cannot see. The righteous also have a joy that others cannot have. Our joy comes from our fellowship with the Lord, who shines his light on us so we can fellowship with him who dwells in infinite light. We rejoice that we are his and he is ours. We rejoice that he has illuminated the way of righteousness Continue Reading →

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad;let the distant shores rejoice. (Psalms 97:1, NIV) When it feels like our world is collapsing, or at least that everything seems crazy, we can still rejoice. Why? Yahweh reigns over all the earth. He is the only one who knows how to manage a sinful world with kindness and justice. And he has the power to do it. He gives people freedom but he still accomplishes his purposes because his ways are far beyond ours. Therefore, we can be glad when trials come. We may also be sorrowful but joy still resides in our spirit if we fix our eyes on the Lord. All who follow the Lord can be glad and rejoice. Yahweh reigns and his reign will be complete after the Son returns and establishes justice on the earth. God Is Our ProtectorFebruary 9, 2026Discerning The Voices In Our HeadFebruary Continue Reading →

For he is our Godand we are the people of his pasture,the flock under his care. Psalms 95:7 (ESV) A shepherd’s goal is to protect and support the sheep. A good shepherd has the tools and skills to accomplish this. The shepherd knows when the sheep are in danger even if the sheep do not know. The shepherd acts to protect them from the danger. Likewise, God is our shepherd who watches us. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We journey in his pasture. He sees what we are doing and guides us along the good path. He does not prevent all suffering; he allows it to transform us. But he does offer protection and support for our soul in all circumstances. He will teach our soul how to grow and flourish in every situation. He is available if we seek him, abide in him, and keep our gaze on him. Continue Reading →

When I said, “My foot is slipping, ”your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.When anxiety was great within me,your consolation brought me joy. Psalms 94:18-19 (NIV) We will have times when our foot is slipping and anxiety wells up within us. Whether it is health, finances, relationships, loneliness, or grief we cannot avoid the distress in this world. What makes us different is how we walk through these times. What makes us different is the fact that the Lord is with us and wants to console us. He has many ways of consoling us and they are all signs of his care for us. He may remove the distress, he may reduce it or he may allow it to run its course. He may touch our hearts with his presence; he may bring words from a friend or he may speak through a verse of Scripture. Sometimes we can’t perceive his Continue Reading →