Pastor Stephen Dedman

Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭26:27‬

Solomon, in all his wisdom, shares in this verse about the truth of God. God will not allow a wicked and evil act to go unpunished. There are many examples in the Bible where people tried to do wicked things to God’s people but they didn’t get away with it. 

Pharaoh wouldn’t let the Israelites out of slavery, but God did. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, but God used him in a powerful way to save the nation. The Jews crucified Jesus, but He is alive!

The lesson of this proverb is to trust God to protect you and let Him punish your enemies. “Vengeance is mine,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) 

Even if your enemies strategically try to attack you, God knows what they are doing and He will take care of you. 

Pray

Lord, keep me safe from my enemies. Thank you for putting a hedge of protection around me. Fight my battles and give me peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.
‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭14‬

The promise given to the Israelites in Exodus 14:14 serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and power to deliver His people in times of trouble. Like the Israelites, we may find ourselves facing overwhelming challenges, surrounded by enemies and obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. In these moments, we can easily slip into fear and doubt, forgetting that we serve a God who is greater than any problem we may face.

We are reminded that our battles are not ours alone but they belong to the Lord, who is mighty to save and deliver. Our role is not to rely on our own strength or wisdom but to surrender to God’s sovereignty and trust in His perfect plan and timing.

God assures us that when we entrust our battles to Him, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding. It is a peace that comes from knowing that we are not alone, that God is with us, fighting on our behalf.

Today, you can find strength and courage in knowing that the Lord Himself goes before you, fighting for you and leading you to victory. Hold onto peace, knowing that God is faithful to fulfill His promises and deliver you from every trial and adversity you face.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the assurance that You are fighting for me and that I need only to be still and trust in Your deliverance. Help me to surrender my battles to You and to hold onto the peace that comes from knowing You are with me. Strengthen my faith and give me courage to face whatever challenges come my way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭13‬

In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle Paul describes the characteristics and importance of love in the life of a believer. In verse 13, he concludes by affirming the enduring nature of faith, hope, and love, highlighting love as the greatest. Faith, hope, and love are foundational virtues that sustain and bless our Christian life.

Faith anchors us in the promises of God, enabling us to trust in His goodness, sovereignty, and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem uncertain. It is through faith that we are justified before God, receiving salvation as a free gift through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Hope, likewise, sustains us in times of trouble, reminding us of the future glory that awaits us in Christ. It is the confident expectation of what God has promised, the assurance that His purposes will be fulfilled, and His kingdom will come in all its fullness (Romans 8:24-25).

But above all, there is love—the greatest of these virtues. Love is not merely an emotion; it is a choice, an action, a way of life. It is the selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that God has lavished upon us through Jesus Christ, demonstrated most profoundly on the cross (1 John 4:9-10).

As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this same love in our relationships with God and others. Love compels us to seek the good of others, to forgive as we have been forgiven, to show kindness, compassion, and grace to all, regardless of merit or deserving.

In a world that often values power, success, and self-interest, may we be known as a people who prioritize love above all else. May our lives be a reflection of God’s love, shining brightly in the darkness, pointing others to the source of all love—Jesus Christ.

Pray

Lord, thank You for the blessing of faith, hope, and love. Help me to use these virtues and to prioritize love above all else. Fill me with Your love, that I may love You with all my heart and love others as myself. May my life be a testament to Your great love and grace, drawing others into relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.