Pastor Stephen Dedman

You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26‬:‭3‬

Question
What situation today do you need to intentionally place in God’s hands?

Context
Isaiah 26 is a song of trust spoken about God’s future deliverance and protection of His people. Judah often faced fear from surrounding nations and uncertainty about the future, yet this passage reminds them that true security was not in walls or armies but in trusting God. Even in unstable times, those who fixed their hearts and minds on the Lord could experience peace.

Application
Everyone feels the pressures of life: decisions, responsibilities, unexpected problems, and concerns about the future. Yet God offers us something the world cannot provide: perfect peace. Notice that this peace is connected to where our minds rest. When our thoughts stay fixed on circumstances, anxiety will grow. But when our focus stays on God, peace begins to settle our hearts.

Peace is not the absence of trouble; it is the presence of trust. God does not promise a problem-free life, but He promises His steady presence in every season.

When stress rises today, pause and redirect your thoughts toward God. Pray, recall His past faithfulness, and trust Him with what you cannot control.

Truth For The Day
God’s peace is available, not when life settles down, but when our trust settles in Him.

Pray
Lord, help me keep my mind focused on You today. Replace my worry with Your peace and remind me that You are in control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭55‬:‭22‬

Question
What burden are you carrying that God is inviting you to release today?

Context
Psalm 55 was written by David during a season of deep distress and betrayal. He is overwhelmed, anxious, and honest about his exhaustion. Instead of pretending strength, David models trust and he brings his burden to the Lord and releases what he cannot carry on his own.

Application
Many of us carry worries God never asked us to hold like fear about the future, pressure to perform, guilt from the past. Casting your burden doesn’t mean ignoring responsibility; it means trusting God with the weight of it. Rest begins when we stop rehearsing our worries and start releasing them to Him.

Truth For The Day
God sustains what we surrender.

Pray
Lord, I confess that I often carry more than You intended. Today, I choose to cast my burdens on You. Teach me to trust Your care and rest in Your sustaining grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭18‬

Question
Where in your life today do you need to invite God’s presence, trusting that He draws near to the areas that feel broken?

Context
David wrote Psalm 34 during a time of great personal distress. He had fled from danger and was feeling fear and sorrow, yet he found comfort in God’s presence. This verse reminds us that even in our lowest moments, God is not distant. He draws near to comfort, heal, and restore.

Application
Life often brings heartbreak, disappointment, or feelings of being crushed by circumstances. In those moments, it can be tempting to withdraw or feel abandoned. But God promises to be close to the brokenhearted. His nearness doesn’t remove the pain instantly, but it gives strength to endure, hope to persevere, and peace that surpasses understanding. When you feel crushed, let His presence surround you and remind you that you are never alone.

Truth For The Day
God is not only aware of your pain, He is actively present in it.

Pray
Lord, thank You for being close to me when I feel broken or overwhelmed. Help me to trust Your presence even when I don’t understand my circumstances. Draw near to my heart, heal my wounds, and remind me that I am never alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.