Pastor Stephen Dedman

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬

Question
What current affliction do you need to place fully in God’s hands today instead of trying to carry it yourself?

Context
Psalm 34 was written by David after he escaped danger while fleeing from King Saul. David had to pretend insanity before Abimelech to save his life (1 Samuel 21). This psalm rises out of fear, uncertainty, and real affliction. Yet instead of focusing on the threat, David magnifies the Lord.

Verse 19 is honest: righteousness does not exempt us from trouble. Faith does not create a pain-free life. But the promise is greater than the problem: the Lord delivers.

Application
Some days feel heavier than others. You may be walking through stress, disappointment, grief, or pressure that no one else sees. The enemy whispers, “If you were really blessed, this wouldn’t be happening.” But Scripture says the opposite. Afflictions are not proof of God’s absence; they are opportunities for His deliverance.

Notice the word “many.” David doesn’t sugarcoat reality. But he also uses the word “all.” The same God who allows you to walk through trouble promises to bring you out of it. Deliverance may not always be immediate, but it is always certain in God’s timing and way.

Truth For The Day
You are not alone in your affliction, and it will not have the final word. The Lord is your Deliverer.

Pray
Lord, You see every burden I carry. Thank You that my struggles do not surprise You. Strengthen my heart in the middle of difficulty. Help me trust that You will deliver me in Your perfect timing. Teach me to magnify You even before I see the breakthrough. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.’”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Question
Are you living like you’re barely forgiven or like you’re fully restored?

Context
Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. A young man demands his inheritance, leaves home, wastes everything, and ends up feeding pigs. He’s broken, ashamed, and ready to return home as a hired servant. But when he arrived home, his father didn’t negotiate. He didn’t lecture. He restored him and celebrated him

What the Robe, Ring, and Sandals Mean
The robe covered the smell of the pigpen and the shame of rebellion. It symbolizes the righteousness that only the Father can provide. As Christians, we are clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

The ring in that culture represented family belonging. The father was saying, “You are still my son.” We are God’s children.

The sandals signify sonship. Servants often went barefoot. Sons wore sandals. This was restoration to sonship.

Application
Many people come back to God expecting to be tolerated. But the Father restores identity, not just relationship. You may feel like you’ve wasted time, opportunity, or spiritual ground. But heaven’s response to repentance is restoration.

Truth For The Day
God does not partially restore those who return. He restores completely.

Pray
Lord, thank You that when I return to You, You do not shame me, instead, You restore me. Help me walk in the identity You’ve already given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭15‬:‭20‬ ‭NKJV‬

Question
Are you still standing “a great way off,” or will you arise and come to the Father?

Context
Through this parable, Jesus reveals the heart of the Father toward those who wander far from Him. The younger son had demanded his inheritance, wasted it in rebellion, and found himself broken and empty. When he “came to himself,” he decided to return home, not expecting restoration, but hoping only to work as a servant. But the father had bigger plans.

Something unexpected happened, the father ran. In that culture, dignified men did not run. But love overrode dignity. Compassion overrode protocol. Before the son could finish his rehearsed apology, the father embraced him. This is the heart of God.

Application
Sometimes we think we have to clean ourselves up before coming back to God. We rehearse our apologies. We prepare to beg for mercy. But God is not waiting with crossed arms, His arms are wide open ready to embrace us.

No matter how far someone has wandered, grace runs farther. God loves you! God’s grace restores what sin tries to destroy.

Truth For The Day
God’s love meets you before your explanation does.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being the God who watches and waits with compassion. Thank You for running toward me when I turned back to You. Help me never forget the depth of Your mercy, and give me that same heart toward others who are finding their way home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.