Pastor Stephen Dedman

Behold, I am the Lord , the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?
Jeremiah 32:27

In Jeremiah 32:27, we find the prophet Jeremiah delivering a powerful message from God to the people of Israel. The context of this verse is during a challenging time when the Babylonians were about to conquer Jerusalem. Despite the imminent destruction and captivity, God reassures His people through Jeremiah that He is the Lord, the God of all flesh. The question posed, “Is there anything too hard for Me?” is a rhetorical question, emphasizing God’s sovereignty even in the face of seemingly insurmountable circumstances.

In our lives, we often encounter situations that seem out of our control, filled with challenges and uncertainties. Just as God spoke through Jeremiah to the Israelites, He speaks to us today, reminding us of His power and presence. The verse encourages us to trust in God’s ability to handle any circumstance, no matter how difficult it may seem.

We can find peace and strength in surrendering our concerns to God. This verse challenges us to shift our focus from the size of our problems to the greatness of our God. It calls us to live with faith and confidence, knowing that nothing is too hard for Him.

Pray

Lord, I come before You with gratitude for Your presence and power. In moments of uncertainty and difficulty, help me to anchor my faith in Your promises. Grant me the wisdom to trust in Your sovereignty and the courage to surrender my concerns to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭24‬:‭17‬

It’s easy to feel a sense of satisfaction when someone who has wronged us finally faces consequences. Whether it’s a former friend, a toxic coworker, or someone who simply opposed us, their downfall can stir feelings of vindication. But Proverbs 24:17 offers a divine perspective that challenges our natural instincts: Do not gloat.

Why would God ask us to suppress this very human reaction? Because our joy is not to be rooted in another person’s failure, even if they were wrong. God desires that we walk in humility, mercy, and love, even toward our enemies. When we rejoice in someone else’s misfortune, we harden our hearts and forget that justice belongs to God, not us.

God is not only concerned with what happens to our enemies, but what happens in us when it does. Will we allow bitterness to become self-righteousness? Or will we reflect the grace we’ve been given? Jesus modeled this perfectly showing mercy even to those who crucified Him.

Is there someone in your life you’ve silently rejoiced to see fall? Bring that before God today. Ask Him to replace gloating with grace, and vengeance with compassion. Remember: mercy doesn’t make you weak, it makes you like Christ.

Pray

Lord, help me to walk in humility and mercy, even toward those who have hurt me. Keep my heart pure and free from pride. Teach me to trust Your justice and reflect Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6‬:‭1‬

In a world that often responds to failure with condemnation or shame, Paul reminds us of a different way, the way of the Spirit. Galatians 6:1 is a call to community, accountability, and compassion. It challenges us not to turn away from the one who has stumbled, but to step toward them with humility and care.

Notice Paul’s words: “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.” He doesn’t say to ignore the sin. He doesn’t say to shame the person. He calls us to restore, bringing back to wholeness, to health, to fellowship, with gentleness. That kind of restoration takes love, patience, and spiritual maturity.

But Paul also issues a caution: “consider yourself, lest you also be tempted.” Why? Because when we engage with the brokenness of others, we must remain aware of our own vulnerability. It’s easy to become prideful, or even fall into the very sin we’re trying to help someone else overcome. Restoration must be done in the Spirit, not the flesh.

So what does this mean for us today?

It means when a friend, a fellow believer, or even a stranger falls, we don’t stand back in judgment. We lean in, led by the Holy Spirit, to lift them up. We speak truth, but with grace. We correct, but with love. We don’t forget that we, too, are in constant need of God’s mercy.

Pray

Lord, give me a heart that mirrors Yours, full of mercy and compassion. Teach me how to restore others with gentleness, remembering that I am not above temptation. Keep me humble, Spirit-led, and always anchored in grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.