Pastor Stephen Dedman

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭25‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
How has God demonstrated His faithfulness to you during a difficult season?

Context
David wrote these words near the end of his life. Looking back over many years of victories, failures, blessings, and hardships, he could testify to one unchanging truth: God had always been faithful. Though David endured seasons of hiding in caves, fleeing from enemies, and experiencing deep personal loss, he never found God to be absent or unfaithful.

Application
This verse does not promise that believers will never experience difficulty or financial hardship. Rather, it reminds us that God never abandons His children. His provision may not always come in the way we expect, but it always comes according to His perfect wisdom and timing. Even in our darkest moments, God remains present, sustaining us with His grace, strength, and peace.

When fear whispers that God has forgotten you, remember David’s testimony. The same God who carried him through every trial is the God who walks beside you today. His faithfulness has not changed. You may not know what tomorrow holds, but you can rest in the assurance that the One who has never forsaken His people never will.

Truth For The Day
God may allow trials in your life, but He will never abandon you in them.

Pray
Lord, thank You for Your unfailing faithfulness. When circumstances tempt me to doubt, remind me that You have never forsaken Your children. Help me to trust Your provision, rest in Your promises, and confidently follow You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you trying to earn God’s acceptance, or are you living in the freedom that Christ has already secured for you?

Context
The writer of Hebrews contrasts the Old Testament priests with Jesus Christ. Under the old covenant, priests stood daily offering sacrifices that could never completely remove sin. Their work was never finished because sin’s debt remained. In contrast, Jesus offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice once for all. After His work on the cross was complete, He sat down at the right hand of the Father, a powerful picture that His work of redemption was finished.

Application
Many believers still live as though they must earn God’s favor by their performance. We strive to be “good enough,” hoping our efforts will make us acceptable to God. Hebrews 10:12 reminds us that our salvation rests entirely on the finished work of Christ. We obey, serve, and worship not to earn God’s love but because we have already received it through Jesus. His sacrifice was sufficient yesterday, is sufficient today, and will be sufficient forever.

Truth For The Day
Because Jesus’ sacrifice was complete, you can rest confidently in His finished work.

Pray
Lord, thank You for sending Jesus to be the perfect sacrifice for my sins. Help me to stop relying on my own efforts and to trust fully in His finished work. May my life be marked by gratitude, obedience, and confidence in Your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭4‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
How can your response to your current trial point others to the faithfulness and goodness of Christ?

Context
Peter wrote to believers who were facing persecution because of their faith in Christ. Rather than encouraging them to avoid suffering, he reminded them that hardship for the sake of Christ is not a sign of God’s absence but an opportunity to identify with Jesus. Their suffering had purpose because it pointed others to the hope found in Christ and prepared them for the glory yet to come.

Application
Hardship is something we all face, but not all suffering is wasted. When we endure trials with unwavering faith, we become living testimonies of God’s sustaining grace. Our response to pain often speaks louder than our words. People are watching to see whether our faith is genuine when life is difficult. As we trust God through disappointments, sickness, loss, or opposition, He uses our perseverance to glorify Himself and strengthen others. Though we may not understand every trial, we can be confident that God is using it to shape us into the image of Christ.

Truth For The Day
God never wastes your hardships when they are surrendered to Him for His glory.

Pray
Lord, when hardships come, help me to trust You instead of becoming discouraged. Give me strength to endure with joy, knowing that You are at work even when I cannot see it. Let my life reflect Your grace so that others will see Christ through me. May every trial bring You glory and draw me closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.