The Daily Dose

Moving forward after loss

Then, leaving her body, he said to the Hittite elders, “Here I am, a stranger and a foreigner among you. Please sell me a piece of land so I can give my wife a proper burial.” Genesis 23:3-4

We have all experienced times of loss in our lives like the passing of a grandparent or parent. Maybe you have even experienced the loss of an immediate family member. These moments are heavy, and they leave a lasting impact on our hearts. In Genesis 23, Abraham faced such a time when Sarah, his wife, passed away. His grief was real, yet what stands out is how he carried himself through it. Even in the pain, he took careful steps forward, honoring both God and the memory of his wife.

I have felt that pain of losing loved ones.  Those losses have left me feeling unsteady. When a close family member passed away, the grief was overwhelming. Everyday life felt strange, as if the world was moving on without me. During that time, I realized that moving forward didn’t mean forgetting. It meant honoring what was lost while trusting God with each next step. Like Abraham, I found that even small steps of faith matter in times of loss and pain.

This chapter speaks to anyone who is trying to keep moving when life has been shaken by loss. We can honor God in the way we handle decisions, interact with others, and move into the next season of our life with Him. Just as Abraham showed integrity and humility in negotiating for Sarah’s burial place, we can walk through our own losses with grace and faith.

Here are some ways to walk this out in your life:

1. Keep a steady heart before God in prayer and tell Him exactly how you feel.
2. Take small, intentional steps forward, even if they feel slow.
3. Treat others with kindness and integrity, even in the middle of personal pain.
4. Seek wise counsel for important decisions during times of loss.
5. Honor the memory of those you have lost in ways that bring God glory.

Begin by bringing your grief and questions to God in prayer. Open the Bible to passages that remind you of His comfort, like Psalm 34:18. Find one small action today that moves you forward, whether it is making a phone call, sending a note, or spending time with someone who encourages your faith.

Today I want to encourage you that God sees every tear and knows every ache in your heart. Loss is never easy, but you are not walking through it alone. Just as He was faithful to Abraham, He will be faithful to you in this time and beyond. Trust Him to lead you into what is next and keep your heart open to His peace.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 23

1 When Sarah was 127 years old,

2 she died at Kiriath-arba (now called Hebron) in the land of Canaan. There Abraham mourned and wept for her.

3 Then, leaving her body, he said to the Hittite elders,

4 “Here I am, a stranger and a foreigner among you. Please sell me a piece of land so I can give my wife a proper burial.”

5 The Hittites replied to Abraham,

6 “Listen, my lord, you are an honored prince among us. Choose the finest of our tombs and bury her there. No one here will refuse to help you in this way.”

7 Then Abraham bowed low before the Hittites

8 and said, “Since you are willing to help me in this way, be so kind as to ask Ephron son of Zohar

9 to let me buy his cave at Machpelah, down at the end of his field. I will pay the full price in the presence of witnesses, so I will have a permanent burial place for my family.”

10 Ephron was sitting there among the others, and he answered Abraham as the others listened, speaking publicly before all the Hittite elders of the town.

11 “No, my lord,” he said to Abraham, “please listen to me. I will give you the field and the cave. Here in the presence of my people, I give it to you. Go and bury your dead.”

12 Abraham again bowed low before the citizens of the land,

13 and he replied to Ephron as everyone listened. “No, listen to me. I will buy it from you. Let me pay the full price for the field so I can bury my dead there.”

14 Ephron answered Abraham,

15 “My lord, please listen to me. The land is worth 400 pieces of silver, but what is that between friends? Go ahead and bury your dead.”

16 So Abraham agreed to Ephron’s price and paid the amount he had suggested—400 pieces of silver, weighed according to the market standard. The Hittite elders witnessed the transaction.

17 So Abraham bought the plot of land belonging to Ephron at Machpelah, near Mamre. This included the field itself, the cave that was in it, and all the surrounding trees.

18 It was transferred to Abraham as his permanent possession in the presence of the Hittite elders at the city gate.

19 Then Abraham buried his wife, Sarah, there in Canaan, in the cave of Machpelah, near Mamre (also called Hebron).

20 So the field and the cave were transferred from the Hittites to Abraham for use as a permanent burial place.

Journal:

• Write about a time when you took one step forward after a season of loss.
• How did God meet you in that step?
• What did you learn about His faithfulness?

God will provide

_{Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” ~ Genesis 22:14}

This is one of the most well-known accounts in Scripture and also one of the most difficult to read. Genesis 22 is one of the most challenging and powerful chapters in the Bible. Abraham is asked by God to do the unthinkable, to sacrifice his one and only son Isaac. After waiting so long for this promise to come to pass, Abraham is now being asked to give it back. Here is the really surprising part, without hesitation, Abraham obeys, and just as he raises the knife, God steps in and provides a ram in place of Isaac. Abraham’s faith and obedience are met with God’s provision.

I have to admit, when I first heard this story as a young person, it seemed like everyday stuff. God asked Abraham to do something, so he did it with no problem. There was no way my young mind could grasp the depth of faith it took for Abraham to walk out such an unthinkable request. There have been moments in my own life when I felt like God was asking me to give up something that meant everything to me. Once, I sensed Him leading me to step away from a role I loved deeply. I struggled with it for weeks, trying to hold on. I didn’t understand why God would give me something good only to ask for it back. When I did obey, letting go was painful, and it felt like a step backward. Yet, in the months that followed, God opened doors I never expected. What I thought was the end turned out to be a transition into something greater.

This chapter speaks directly to those who may not understand why God asks us to trust Him completely. Sometimes we are called to release something dear to us like a plan, a dream, a relationship, or even a good opportunity. It can feel confusing and costly. What we can now see from Abraham’s life is that God is not trying to take something from us. He is positioning us to see His faithfulness in a deeper way.

Abraham discovered that God is not just a promise maker, but also a provider. On the mountain of testing, he experienced the provision of God in a miraculous way. You can too.

Here are some ways to be faithful when God asks you to take a step of faith:

• Be honest with God. Let Him know your fears, questions, and concerns. He can handle them.
• Take the next obedient step. You may not see the full picture, but you can choose obedience one step at a time.
• Look for God’s provision in unexpected ways. The ram was already on the mountain, Abraham just had to walk up in obedience to see it.
• Remember His faithfulness in the past. Rehearse the times God has provided before. It will help you stay anchored.
• Give thanks even before the answer comes. Gratitude helps shift your heart toward trust.

Today I want to encourage you that if you are going through a time where God is asking you to trust Him in a difficult or unfamiliar way, remember that He is Yahweh-Yireh, your provider. He sees what you cannot, and He will meet you on the mountain of obedience with exactly what you need. Your faith will never be wasted. When God asks for your yes, He is always preparing something greater. Stay faithful, stay available, and expect His provision to show up right on time.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 22

1 Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called.

“Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.”

2 “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

3 The next morning Abraham got up early. He saddled his donkey and took two of his servants with him, along with his son, Isaac. Then he chopped wood for a fire for a burnt offering and set out for the place God had told him about.

4 On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.

5 “Stay here with the donkey,” Abraham told the servants. “The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.”

6 So Abraham placed the wood for the burnt offering on Isaac’s shoulders, while he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them walked on together,

7 Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?”

“Yes, my son?” Abraham replied.

“We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?”

8 “God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together.

9 When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood.

10 And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice.

11 At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

12 “Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.”

13 Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son.

14 Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.”

15 Then the angel of the Lord called again to Abraham from heaven.

16 “This is what the Lord says: Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that

17 I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number, like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will conquer the cities of their enemies.

18 And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.”

19 Then they returned to the servants and traveled back to Beersheba, where Abraham continued to live.

20 Soon after this, Abraham heard that Milcah, his brother Nahor’s wife, had borne Nahor eight sons. 21 The oldest was named Uz, the next oldest was Buz, followed by Kemuel (the ancestor of the Arameans),

22 Kesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph, and Bethuel.

23 (Bethuel became the father of Rebekah.) In addition to these eight sons from Milcah,

24 Nahor had four other children from his concubine Reumah. Their names were Tebah, Gaham, Tahash, and Maacah.

Journal:
• Is there something God is asking you to trust Him with or release to Him?
• What fear or hesitation are you struggling with in this area?
• Write a prayer asking God to help you obey even when it is hard, and to open your eyes to His provision along the way.

God keeps His Word

The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. ~ Genesis 21:1

There is something powerful about seeing a long-awaited promise finally come to pass. In Genesis 21, we witness a miracle of Sarah giving birth to Isaac. She was well beyond childbearing years, and so was Abraham. But God had spoken, and even though it took years, even though they made mistakes along the way, God kept His word.

This passage gives me hope, especially when I think about the promises I’ve been holding onto for what feels like a long time. Some of them I’ve carried quietly in my heart, praying, waiting, wondering if I even heard God right. There have been times I’ve grown tired and tried to “help” God by creating my own version of the promise. But those efforts only left me feeling more frustrated and disappointed.

Recently, I’ve seen God begin to answer some of the prayers I had nearly given up on. They aren’t complete yet and for sure do not look like what I imagined. But I can say with confidence that He is faithful. His timing is not always easy to wait on, but it is always perfect and I am so thankful that I can depend on that!!

Genesis 21 reminds me that even when it takes time, even when I have doubts, God keeps His promises. He doesn’t forget what He spoke. He does not tease or delay out of cruelty. He is preparing the right time, the right place, and sometimes even the right version of me to receive what He promised.

Maybe you are in a season of waiting right now. Maybe you feel like too much time has passed, or you think you’ve messed up too badly to still be in line for what God promised. But take heart. If God spoke it, He will bring it to pass.

Here are some ways to stay encouraged while waiting on the promises of God to show up:

• Write down what He promised you. Go back to the original word or moment and write it somewhere visible.
• Thank Him in advance. Worship builds faith. Start thanking Him now as if the promise is already being fulfilled.
• Let go of the timeline. God is not late. Trust that He is preparing more than you can see.
• Keep moving forward. While you wait, keep serving, keep growing, and keep building. Let God find you faithful.
• Encourage someone else. When you speak hope to others, it often strengthens your own faith too.

Today I want to encourage you because God has not forgotten you. He is not finished with your story. What He promised you is still alive, even if it has been quiet for a while. Just as He did for Sarah, He will do for you. Stay close to Him. Stay available. Stay hopeful. The God who keeps His word is still working behind the scenes, and when His time comes, it will be better than anything you could have arranged on your own.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 21

1 The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised.

2 She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.

3 And Abraham named their son Isaac.

4 Eight days after Isaac was born, Abraham circumcised him as God had commanded.

5 Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born.

6 And Sarah declared, “God has brought me laughter. All who hear about this will laugh with me.

7 Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!”

Hagar and Ishmael Are Sent Away

8 When Isaac grew up and was about to be weaned, Abraham prepared a huge feast to celebrate the occasion.

9 But Sarah saw Ishmael—the son of Abraham and her Egyptian servant Hagar—making fun of her son, Isaac.

10 So she turned to Abraham and demanded, “Get rid of that slave woman and her son. He is not going to share the inheritance with my son, Isaac. I won’t have it!”

11 This upset Abraham very much because Ishmael was his son.

12 But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted.

13 But I will also make a nation of the descendants of Hagar’s son because he is your son, too.”

14 So Abraham got up early the next morning, prepared food and a container of water, and strapped them on Hagar’s shoulders. Then he sent her away with their son, and she wandered aimlessly in the wilderness of Beersheba.

15 When the water was gone, she put the boy in the shade of a bush.

16 Then she went and sat down by herself about a hundred yards away. “I don’t want to watch the boy die,” she said, as she burst into tears.

17 But God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven, “Hagar, what’s wrong? Do not be afraid! God has heard the boy crying as he lies there.

18 Go to him and comfort him, for I will make a great nation from his descendants.”

19 Then God opened Hagar’s eyes, and she saw a well full of water. She quickly filled her water container and gave the boy a drink.

20 And God was with the boy as he grew up in the wilderness. He became a skillful archer,

21 and he settled in the wilderness of Paran. His mother arranged for him to marry a woman from the land of Egypt.

22 About this time, Abimelech came with Phicol, his army commander, to visit Abraham. “God is obviously with you, helping you in everything you do,” Abimelech said.

23 “Swear to me in God’s name that you will never deceive me, my children, or any of my descendants. I have been loyal to you, so now swear that you will be loyal to me and to this country where you are living as a foreigner.”

24 Abraham replied, “Yes, I swear to it!”

25 Then Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had taken by force from Abraham’s servants.

26 “This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Abimelech answered. “I have no idea who is responsible. You have never complained about this before.”

27 Abraham then gave some of his sheep, goats, and cattle to Abimelech, and they made a treaty.

28 But Abraham also took seven additional female lambs and set them off by themselves.

29 Abimelech asked, “Why have you set these seven apart from the others?”

30Abraham replied, “Please accept these seven lambs to show your agreement that I dug this well.” 31Then he named the place Beersheba (which means “well of the oath”), because that was where they had sworn the oath.

32After making their covenant at Beersheba, Abimelech left with Phicol, the commander of his army, and they returned home to the land of the Philistines.

33Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.

34And Abraham lived as a foreigner in Philistine country for a long time.

Journal Prompts:
• What promise are you still believing God for?
• Have you grown discouraged or tried to force the outcome in your own strength?
• Write a prayer of renewed trust, asking God to help you wait well and recognize His faithfulness in the process.

God is working even when you mess up    

In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her. ~ Genesis 20:6

I’ve messed up a lot. More times than I care to admit, in all honesty. One of my most recent mistakes has gripped me more than I expected, even to the point of trying to knock me off mission and purpose. I was in a meeting with a group of people who were somewhat intimidating, and when the focus shifted to me and what I had to say, I blew it under the pressure. I stumbled through my words and left feeling like a total failure. What I thought was going to be an open door from God ended up feeling like one that slammed shut right in my face. I left questioning everything, my preparation, my voice, and even whether I had misheard God altogether. But as I sat with it, God gently reminded me that His plans are never ruined by my imperfections. If that opportunity was truly from Him, He will bring it back around in His time or open up an even greater opportunity.

That is why Genesis 20 hit me so personally. Abraham made a mistake, a serious one. He once again told a half-truth about Sarah being his sister, and it landed her in the household of King Abimelek. It was a risky untruth, move driven by fear and self-preservation, but even then, God stepped in. Before anything could happen to Sara or Abraham, God intervened in a dream, protecting her, correcting the situation, and preserving His promise.

What encourages me most is that God did not wait for Abraham to get it all right before He acted. He moved in the middle of Abraham’s mistake. That brings me so much peace. I have made decisions not out of rebellion, but out of fear or misunderstanding and even then, God still showed up. He covered the situation, protected what mattered most, and reminded me that His purpose for my life is not dependent on me being flawless.

Genesis 20 shows us that God is always working. He sees our intentions, even when our execution falls short. He knows how to protect us, correct us, and restore us. He is not waiting for perfection, but He is looking for hearts that are turned toward Him, even in weakness.

Maybe you are in a season where something you hoped for did not go the way you expected. Maybe fear or pressure caused you to respond in a way you now regret. Let Genesis 20 reminds you that your failure is not final, and your mistake does not cancel God’s mission for your life.

Here are some practical ways to stay encouraged when you mess up:

• Take it to God immediately. Do not run from Him. Run to Him and be honest.
• Ask for wisdom. Pray for clarity and courage to grow from it and choose differently next time.
• Receive His grace. Let go of the guilt. His mercy truly is new every morning.
• Make it right when you can. Like Abraham, acknowledge your role and walk in humility.
• Stay committed to the journey. One wrong moment does not mean the story is over. God is still writing it.

Today I want to encourage you to believe that God is still working, even in your mess. He knows your heart and He sees your faith, even when fear makes noise. He is bigger than your failures and faithful to finish what He started in you. Keep walking forward. That closed door may just be God’s way of preparing you for something greater. His grace still covers you. His plan is still good and He has not changed His mind about your calling.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 20

1Abraham moved south to the Negev and lived for a while between Kadesh and Shur, and then he moved on to Gerar. While living there as a foreigner,

2Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.

3But that night God came to Abimelech in a dream and told him, “You are a dead man, for that woman you have taken is already married!”

4But Abimelech had not slept with her yet, so he said, “Lord, will you destroy an innocent nation? 5Didn’t Abraham tell me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘Yes, he is my brother.’ I acted in complete innocence! My hands are clean.”

6In the dream God responded, “Yes, I know you are innocent. That’s why I kept you from sinning against me, and why I did not let you touch her.

7Now return the woman to her husband, and he will pray for you, for he is a prophet. Then you will live. But if you don’t return her to him, you can be sure that you and all your people will die.”

8Abimelech got up early the next morning and quickly called all his servants together. When he told them what had happened, his men were terrified.

9Then Abimelech called for Abraham. “What have you done to us?” he demanded. “What crime have I committed that deserves treatment like this, making me and my kingdom guilty of this great sin? No one should ever do what you have done!

10Whatever possessed you to do such a thing?”

11Abraham replied, “I thought, ‘This is a godless place. They will want my wife and will kill me to get her.’

12And she really is my sister, for we both have the same father, but different mothers. And I married her.

13When God called me to leave my father’s home and to travel from place to place, I told her, ‘Do me a favor. Wherever we go, tell the people that I am your brother.’”

14Then Abimelech took some of his sheep and goats, cattle, and male and female servants, and he presented them to Abraham. He also returned his wife, Sarah, to him.

15Then Abimelech said, “Look over my land and choose any place where you would like to live.” 16And he said to Sarah, “Look, I am giving your ‘brother’ 1,000 pieces of silver in the presence of all these witnesses. This is to compensate you for any wrong I may have done to you. This will settle any claim against me, and your reputation is cleared.”

17Then Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants, so they could have children.

18For the Lord had caused all the women to be infertile because of what happened with Abraham’s wife, Sarah.

Journal:
• Is there a decision you made that you are still carrying guilt over?
• What does this story teach you about God’s ability to protect and restore?
• Write a prayer asking God to help you walk in freedom from past mistakes and stay confident in His calling on your life.

Don’t look back

_{But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. ~ Genesis 19:26}

Genesis 19 is a powerful chapter of both judgment and mercy. God brings destruction to Sodom and Gomorrah because of their great wickedness, but in the midst of it, He extends mercy to Lot and his family. The angels gave them clear instructions: escape quickly and don’t look back. But Lot’s wife, caught between where she came from and where God was leading her, looked back and in that moment, she was frozen in place. Her story is a sobering reminder of what can happen when we long for what God is calling us to leave behind.

I know this struggle personally. It wasn’t long ago when I felt God clearly nudging me to step away from certain patterns, relationships, and environments that were no longer healthy. I wanted to obey, but part of me kept glancing back and thinking about what I was walking away from, worrying about what I was losing, even though I knew it wasn’t God’s best for me anymore. That back-and-forth mindset left me stuck, frustrated, confused, and lacking peace. It wasn’t until I truly decided to move forward without looking over my shoulder that I began to experience freedom. There was no blessing for me in that place that He had told me to step away from.

Maybe today you’re in a place of transition. Maybe God is asking you to leave something like an old mindset, a habit, a relationship, or even your comfort zone, but the pull of the past feels strong. Maybe you’re tempted to look back, just one more time. Let Lot’s wife be a reminder that God’s mercy goes before us, but obedience requires trust. You can’t step into your future while clinging to the past.

Here are some ways to live forward and not look back:

• Trust God’s direction. If He’s leading you away from something, it’s because He has something better ahead. Say out loud, “God, I trust that what’s ahead is greater than what’s behind.”
• Release with prayer. Take time to name what you need to let go of and release it to God. Say, “Lord, I give this to You. Help me not to return to it.”
• Set your eyes forward. Just like Lot and his daughters had to keep moving, make decisions today that point you toward your next step, not your old one.
• Choose obedience over nostalgia. Sometimes we glamorize the past because it’s familiar, even if it was unhealthy. Don’t let comfort keep you from growth.
• Surround yourself with forward thinkers. Spend time with people who speak life into your future, not just your history. Their encouragement will help you keep walking.

Today I want to encourage you not to let the past hold you hostage. You may not have all the answers, and the road ahead may feel uncertain, but God is leading you out for a reason. He’s faithful to protect you, but He also calls you to move forward. Don’t get stuck in what was. Keep your eyes on what He is doing. There’s something ahead worth walking toward, and it starts with a step of obedience today.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 19

1 That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.

2 “My lords,” he said, “come to my home to wash your feet, and be my guests for the night. You may then get up early in the morning and be on your way again.”

“Oh no,” they replied. “We’ll just spend the night out here in the city square.”

3 But Lot insisted, so at last they went home with him. Lot prepared a feast for them, complete with fresh bread made without yeast, and they ate.

4 But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house.

5 They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!”

6 So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him.

7 “Please, my brothers,” he begged, “don’t do such a wicked thing.

8 Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.”

9 “Stand back!” they shouted. “This fellow came to town as an outsider, and now he’s acting like our judge! We’ll treat you far worse than those other men!” And they lunged toward Lot to break down the door.

10 But the two angels reached out, pulled Lot into the house, and bolted the door.

11 Then they blinded all the men, young and old, who were at the door of the house, so they gave up trying to get inside.

12 Meanwhile, the angels questioned Lot. “Do you have any other relatives here in the city?” they asked. “Get them out of this place—your sons-in-law, sons, daughters, or anyone else.

13 For we are about to destroy this city completely. The outcry against this place is so great it has reached the Lord, and he has sent us to destroy it.”

14 So Lot rushed out to tell his daughters’ fiancés, “Quick, get out of the city! The Lord is about to destroy it.” But the young men thought he was only joking.

15 At dawn the next morning the angels became insistent. “Hurry,” they said to Lot. “Take your wife and your two daughters who are here. Get out right now, or you will be swept away in the destruction of the city!”

16 When Lot still hesitated, the angels seized his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters and rushed them to safety outside the city, for the Lord was merciful.

17 When they were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, “Run for your lives! And don’t look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

18 “Oh no, my lord!” Lot begged.

19 “You have been so gracious to me and saved my life, and you have shown such great kindness. But I cannot go to the mountains. Disaster would catch up to me there, and I would soon die.

20 See, there is a small village nearby. Please let me go there instead; don’t you see how small it is? Then my life will be saved.”

21 “All right,” the angel said, “I will grant your request. I will not destroy the little village.

22 But hurry! Escape to it, for I can do nothing until you arrive there.” (This explains why that village was known as Zoar, which means “little place.”)

23 Lot reached the village just as the sun was rising over the horizon.

24Then the Lord rained down fire and burning sulfur from the sky on Sodom and Gomorrah.

25 He utterly destroyed them, along with the other cities and villages of the plain, wiping out all the people and every bit of vegetation.

26 But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt.

27 Abraham got up early that morning and hurried out to the place where he had stood in the Lord’s presence.

28 He looked out across the plain toward Sodom and Gomorrah and watched as columns of smoke rose from the cities like smoke from a furnace.

29 But God had listened to Abraham’s request and kept Lot safe, removing him from the disaster that engulfed the cities on the plain.

30 Afterward Lot left Zoar because he was afraid of the people there, and he went to live in a cave in the mountains with his two daughters.

31 One day the older daughter said to her sister, “There are no men left anywhere in this entire area, so we can’t get married like everyone else. And our father will soon be too old to have children.

32 Come, let’s get him drunk with wine, and then we will have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.”

33 So that night they got him drunk with wine, and the older daughter went in and had intercourse with her father. He was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.

34 The next morning the older daughter said to her younger sister, “I had sex with our father last night. Let’s get him drunk with wine again tonight, and you go in and have sex with him. That way we will preserve our family line through our father.”

35 So that night they got him drunk with wine again, and the younger daughter went in and had intercourse with him. As before, he was unaware of her lying down or getting up again.

36 As a result, both of Lot’s daughters became pregnant by their own father.

37 When the older daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Moab. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Moabites.

38 When the younger daughter gave birth to a son, she named him Ben-ammi. He became the ancestor of the nation now known as the Ammonites.

Journal:

• What is God asking you to leave behind?
• Why is it hard to fully let it go?
• Write a prayer of release, asking God for the courage to move forward without looking back.

Get up and do it again

But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. ~ Acts 14:20

No one knows for sure whether Paul actually died when he was stoned or if he was simply presumed dead. What we do know is this: when the disciples gathered around him, he got up. Then, in a move that still amazes me, he went right back into the very city where the people had just stoned him. If that were me, I would have left and never looked back, but Paul had a different kind of determination. He was fully convinced that God was with him and would raise him up if necessary.

This wasn’t the only time Paul displayed such bold resolve. When he and Silas were beaten and thrown into prison in Philippi, Paul didn’t sneak out quietly when he was released. He insisted on a public apology before leaving. (See Acts 16:40.) Paul knew who he was in Christ and what he had been called to do. He would not let opposition stop him from completing his assignment.

The point is that Paul and Barnabas pressed on through intense pressure and persecution. They didn’t let circumstances dictate their faith or their forward movement, and neither should we. Life brings setbacks, storms, and resistance, but those things do not define our purpose. They are only winds that blow. Some are mild, others fierce, but just like weather, they come and go. We still arrive at our destination when we keep moving forward. Our circumstances do not determine our mission. Our Father in heaven does.

Here are a few ways you can live this out when discouragement or difficulty tries to knock you down:

• Reconnect with your purpose. Take time to ask the Lord what He has called you to do today. It might be something small, like encouraging someone, or something more challenging. The important thing is to start where you are.
• Pray for strength and clarity. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. Ask God to strengthen your heart and help you see your situation from His perspective.
• Surround yourself with faith-filled people. Just like the disciples gathered around Paul, stay close to those who will lift you up, speak life, and help you keep going.
• Take one step. Even if you don’t feel strong, take action anyway. Purpose often becomes clearer as you walk forward in faith.
• Don’t fear repetition. Sometimes the greatest victory comes not in doing something new, but in doing the right thing again and again.

Today I want to encourage you that no matter what you’re facing, do not give up. The winds may blow, and the pain may feel real, but God has not changed His plan for your life. Ask Him for vision and strength, and then press through whatever is standing in your way. Keep moving forward with courage. Then when tomorrow comes, get up and do it again.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:19-28

19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.

25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.

26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.

28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

Journal:

• What situation in your life has made you feel like giving up?
• What is one step you can take today to move forward in faith?
• Ask the Lord to speak to you about your assignment for today.
• Write down what you sense Him saying.

Same Mission

_{This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed. ~  Acts 14:9}

As we read through the book of Acts, a recurring theme begins to take place. The sequence of events tends to repeat: opportunity, obstacles, overcoming, and growth. Today’s reading in Acts 14 is no exception. Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra, faithfully preaching the gospel. As Paul shared the message, he noticed a man who had never walked before. Paul could see faith rising in him, and at that moment, he stopped preaching and told the man to stand up and the man did. Miraculously, he was instantly healed.

But then came an obstacle. The crowd, instead of recognizing the power of God, thought Paul and Barnabas were mythical gods and tried to worship them.

What often goes unnoticed in this passage is the journey of the man who was healed. He, too, experienced opportunity, obstacle, overcoming, and growth. His story still speaks to us today.

When we find ourselves in need of a miracle or breakthrough, we can learn a lot from his example.

1. He was present and listening.
The first thing we see is that the man was at the gathering, listening to the Word of God. This is critical for building the kind of faith that moves mountains. Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. The man put himself in position to hear the message and let it sink into his heart. If you’re seeking answers or healing today, this is where to start. Spend time in God’s Word. Sit in quiet moments with Him daily. Make it a habit to attend church weekly and join a samll group where the Word is being studied, and faith is stirred.

2. He believed.
This man didn’t just hear, he also believed. He believed that Jesus came to save and to heal. He believed that the message Paul preached applied to him. If you’re facing a challenge, believe that God has an answer for you, and it’s not just natural, it’s supernatural. Believe that He wants you healed, whole, and strong. That He has grace for every moment, and that restoration, physical, emotional, or relational, is possible.

3. He acted.
When Paul said, “Stand up,” the man didn’t argue. He didn’t make excuses. He didn’t list all the reasons it shouldn’t work. He simply responded in faith.  As he put action behind that faith and stood up, his miracle happened. The same is true for us. When God speaks, we need to respond. If you’re unsure of what to do next, ask the Holy Spirit to show you your next step. It may seem small or even unexpected, but it will never contradict God’s Word or character. It may be as simple as forgiving someone, making a phone call, or taking a step toward something you’ve been praying about. Whatever it is, your obedient action is often the final piece of the miracle coming to pass.

Here is how to start putting your faith into action:

• Set aside a specific time each day to pray and read God’s Word.
• Listen to a message that builds your faith and strengthens your trust in God.
• Stay connected to a church community where you can grow and be encouraged.
• Write down one step of obedience you sense God is asking of you and take it.
• Ask the Holy Spirit for a scripture to stand on and speak it daily over your situation.

Today I want to encourage you to expect that with every opportunity from God, challenges may come, but so will His power to help you overcome. Don’t be discouraged by the obstacles. Let them become steppingstones as you walk out your mission. Be like the man at Lystra and listen to the Word, believe the Word, and act on the Word. God’s miracles are available for you, and He wants to partner with you to bring them to pass. With His Word as your foundation and His Spirit as your guide, you can walk boldly in faith today.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:8-18

8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.

9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”

12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out

15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,

16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.

17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”

18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

 Journal:

• What area of your life are you believing for a breakthrough?
• What is one small step you can take today to position yourself to hear, believe, and act on God’s Word?

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” ~ Genesis 18:14

In Genesis 18, God made a seemingly impossible promise to Abraham and Sarah and that promise was that even in their old age, they would have a son of their own. Sarah laughed when she heard it. Who wouldn’t? From a human perspective, it sounded absurd. But God responded with a question that still speaks to our hearts today: Is anything too hard for the Lord?

This message is especially encouraging to me because this year has brought some difficult transitions and personal setbacks. On the surface, things look to be going well, but beneath it all are situations that I hold close in areas where I’m deeply trusting God to move, even though they seem completely stuck. At times, while praying for breakthrough in places that felt beyond repair, I found myself struggling. Every time I started to believe again, discouragement would creep in. I felt like Sarah in today’s reading, hearing God’s promise and trying to receive it, yet quietly doubting it could ever happen. But through prayer, His Word, and people He’s placed in my life, God kept reminding me that What looks impossible to you is still possible with Me.

Now, as I step into the second half of the year, I’m beginning to see signs of progress. The very things I’ve been praying about are slowly unfolding. Not instantaneously, but step by step, not in dramatic ways, but with quiet and steady growth. I know it’s not because of anything I did, it’s only because of His faithfulness alone. God is showing me that His timing is perfect, and His power hasn’t changed. You can trust what He’s promised. You can depend on Him to keep His Word. Nothing is too hard for Him, not healing, not restoration, not a dream that feels long gone.

Maybe you’re in a place like that right now. You’ve heard the promises, you’ve prayed the prayers, but the wait feels long and the answer seems too far gone. Maybe, like Sarah, you’ve stopped believing it could really happen. Genesis 18 reminds us that God doesn’t need perfect conditions, He only needs our faith and willingness to trust Him.

Here are some ways to hold on while your wait for your promise to show up:

• Be honest with God. Sarah laughed, and God didn’t condemn her, He reminded her of His power. Don’t hide your doubts. Bring them to God and let Him meet you there.

• Rehearse His track record. Write down times when God showed up for you in the past. If He did it before, He can do it again.

• Surround yourself with faith. Spend time with people who believe in God’s promises and will encourage you when your hope gets weak.

• Speak life. Replace doubtful thoughts with declarations of truth. Say out loud, “Nothing is too hard for the Lord.” Your words carry power.

• Keep showing up. Even when it feels pointless, stay faithful. Keep praying. Keep trusting. Keep preparing for the promise like it’s on the way.

Today I want to encourage you that no matter how long it’s been, no matter how far off it looks, no matter how broken the pieces seem to be, remember nothing is too hard for the Lord. He hasn’t forgotten what He promised you. His timing is perfect, and His power is limitless. Don’t give up because it looks impossible. Start thanking Him in advance, because the One who spoke the promise is more than able to get it to you.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 18

1 The Lord appeared again to Abraham near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. One day Abraham was sitting at the entrance to his tent during the hottest part of the day.

2 He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground.

3 “My lord,” he said, “if it pleases you, stop here for a while.

4 Rest in the shade of this tree while water is brought to wash your feet.

5 And since you’ve honored your servant with this visit, let me prepare some food to refresh you before you continue on your journey.” “All right,” they said. “Do as you have said.”

6 So Abraham ran back to the tent and said to Sarah, “Hurry! Get three large measures of your best flour, knead it into dough, and bake some bread.”

7 Then Abraham ran out to the herd and chose a tender calf and gave it to his servant, who quickly prepared it.

8 When the food was ready, Abraham took some yogurt and milk and the roasted meat, and he served it to the men. As they ate, Abraham waited on them in the shade of the trees.

9 “Where is Sarah, your wife?” the visitors asked. “She’s inside the tent,” Abraham replied.

10 Then one of them said, “I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!” Sarah was listening to this conversation from the tent.

11 Abraham and Sarah were both very old by this time, and Sarah was long past the age of having children.

12 So she laughed silently to herself and said, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?”

13 Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh? Why did she say, ‘Can an old woman like me have a baby?’

14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return about this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”

15 Sarah was afraid, so she denied it, saying, “I didn’t laugh.” But the Lord said, “No, you did laugh.”

16 Then the men got up from their meal and looked out toward Sodom. As they left, Abraham went with them to send them on their way.

17 “Should I hide my plan from Abraham?” the Lord asked.

18 “For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him.

19 I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised.”

20 So the Lord told Abraham, “I have heard a great outcry from Sodom and Gomorrah, because their sin is so flagrant.

21 I am going down to see if their actions are as wicked as I have heard. If not, I want to know.”

22 The other men turned and headed toward Sodom, but the Lord remained with Abraham.

23 Abraham approached him and said, “Will you sweep away both the righteous and the wicked?

24 Suppose you find fifty righteous people living there in the city—will you still sweep it away and not spare it for their sakes?

25 Surely you wouldn’t do such a thing, destroying the righteous along with the wicked. Why, you would be treating the righteous and the wicked exactly the same! Surely you wouldn’t do that! Should not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?”

26 And the Lord replied, “If I find fifty righteous people in Sodom, I will spare the entire city for their sake.”

27 Then Abraham spoke again. “Since I have begun, let me speak further to my Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes.

28 Suppose there are only forty-five righteous people rather than fifty? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And the Lord said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five righteous people there.”

29 Then Abraham pressed his request further. “Suppose there are only forty?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it for the sake of the forty.”

30 “Please don’t be angry, my Lord,” Abraham pleaded. “Let me speak—suppose only thirty righteous people are found?” And the Lord replied, “I will not destroy it if I find thirty.”

31 Then Abraham said, “Since I have dared to speak to the Lord, let me continue—suppose there are only twenty?” And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the twenty.”

32 Finally, Abraham said, “Lord, please don’t be angry with me if I speak one more time. Suppose only ten are found there?” And the Lord replied, “Then I will not destroy it for the sake of the ten.”

33 When the Lord had finished his conversation with Abraham, he went on his way, and Abraham returned to his tent.

Journal:
• What promise from God have you stopped believing is possible?
• How has God proven His power in your life before?
• Write out a prayer today asking God to help you trust Him again, even in the waiting.

Walking with the Promise

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. ~ Genesis 17:1

 In Genesis 17, God appeared to Abram with a life-altering message. After years of waiting for the promise of a son, God revealed Himself as El Shaddai, God Almighty and calls Abram into a deeper covenant. This wasn’t just a reminder of the promise, it was a call to walk faithfully before Him. In response, Abram receives not only a name change but also the confirmation that the long-awaited promise is still coming. God was not late. He was preparing Abram for the fulfillment.

I know what this is like first hand.  I held on to the promise of being a writer for years before knowing how or where to start. So much time had passed that I even forgot that He had called me to write.  Then I began to question whether I had gotten the right message or not. Even though I had scripture to anchor into, it still felt like I had missed it, or worse, that He had changed His mind. Then I sensed the Lord reminding me, “My promise still stands, but I’m working on you while I prepare it.” That moment brought peace and hope. It didn’t instantly solve everything, but I knew I wasn’t ready and I still needed to grow in my faith. From that point He gave me strength to keep walking toward that promise, trusting Him even when I couldn’t see how it was going to turn out.

This chapter in Genesis speaks directly to those waiting on a promise. Maybe you’ve been believing for healing, restoration, provision, or purpose. Maybe you’ve been waiting for God to fulfill something He spoke long ago. The delays can feel like denials, but they’re not. God often uses the waiting to deepen our walk, build our character, and prepare us to carry the weight of the promise.

Here are some ways to hold on to those promises when nothing seems to be moving in the outward circumstances.

• Start with surrender. Just like Abram bowed in humility, take time to intentionally yield your expectations to God. Say, “Lord, I trust You more than my timeline.”

• Write down what God has promised. Revisit old journal entries or quiet time notes where you sensed Him speak. Remind yourself of His faithfulness.

• Walk faithfully. Even if the promise hasn’t come to pass, live each day with integrity and obedience. Your daily faithfulness is never wasted.

• Keep your covenant fresh. Spend regular time with God in prayer and in the Word. Let your relationship with Him be the source of your strength, not just the hope of a fulfilled promise.

• Celebrate the small signs. Just like Abram received a name change before the baby was born, look for small indicators that God is still moving. Honor the progress, not just the completion.

Today I want to encourage you to walk boldly with the God who sees beyond your present moment. He is not finished. He is not absent. He is El Shaddai—God Almighty—and He is still working out the details of your promise. Let your faith grow deeper, not weaker, as you walk before Him with trust. You are not forgotten, and you are not behind. You are being prepared for something greater than you imagined. Keep walking.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 17

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.

2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.”

3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him,

4 “This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations!

5 What’s more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations.

6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them!

7 “I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you, from generation to generation. This is the everlasting covenant: I will always be your God and the God of your descendants after you. 8 And I will give the entire land of Canaan, where you now live as a foreigner, to you and your descendants. It will be their possession forever, and I will be their God.”

The Mark of the Covenant

9 Then God said to Abraham, “Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility.

10 This is the covenant that you and your descendants must keep: Each male among you must be circumcised.

11 You must cut off the flesh of your foreskin as a sign of the covenant between me and you.

12 From generation to generation, every male child must be circumcised on the eighth day after his birth. This applies not only to members of your family but also to the servants born in your household and the foreign-born servants whom you have purchased.

13 All must be circumcised. Your bodies will bear the mark of my everlasting covenant.

14 Any male who fails to be circumcised will be cut off from the covenant family for breaking the covenant.”

Sarai Is Named Sarah

15 Then God said to Abraham, “Regarding Sarai, your wife—her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah.

16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants.”

17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. “How could I become a father at the age of 100?” he thought. “And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?”

18 So Abraham said to God, “May Ishmael live under your special blessing!”

19 But God replied, “No—Sarah, your wife, will give birth to a son for you. You will name him Isaac, and I will confirm my covenant with him and his descendants as an everlasting covenant.

20 As for Ishmael, I will bless him also, just as you have asked. I will make him extremely fruitful and multiply his descendants. He will become the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.

21 But my covenant will be confirmed with Isaac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year.”

22 When God had finished speaking, he left Abraham.

23 On that very day Abraham took his son, Ishmael, and every male in his household, including those born there and those he had bought. Then he circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, just as God had told him.

24 Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised,

25 and Ishmael, his son, was thirteen.

26 Both Abraham and his son, Ishmael, were circumcised on that same day,

27 along with all the other men and boys of the household, whether they were born there or bought as servants. All were circumcised with him.

Journal Prompt:
• What promise from God are you still believing for?
• How can you take a step of faithful obedience today while you wait?
• What does “walking before God” look like practically in your current season?

You are seen

 _{Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” ~ Genesis 16:13}

 Have you ever had moments in your life when you felt completely unseen. Times when you were doing everything you knew to do like serving, giving, obeying, and still feeling invisible. Maybe you’ve been showing up day after day, faithfully laboring, loving others, carrying burdens quietly and still wondering if anyone truly notices. You give your best, but it feels like you’re invisible in the background. You’re not looking for praise; you just want to know you matter. In the middle of that ache, you may begin to wonder even if God sees what you’re walking through.

Genesis 16 introduces us to Hagar, a servant caught in a painful and complicated situation. She was used, mistreated, and then cast out. Alone in the wilderness, carrying the weight of rejection and confusion, God met her right where she was. He didn’t ignore her pain or her past. Instead, He gave her comfort, a promise for her future, and a new revelation. He is the God who sees. In her wilderness, Hagar was not invisible to God.

Maybe you’re in a similar place right now. Maybe life feels unfair, heavy, or lonely. Maybe you’re wondering if anyone notices how hard you’re trying or how much you’re carrying. Let Hagar’s story remind you: God sees you. He sees every sleepless night, every unspoken prayer, and every time you chose love when you could’ve walked away.

Here are some ways you can live in the truth that God sees you:

• Write out what you’re carrying. Be honest with God in a journal or during your quiet time. He already knows, but there’s healing in pouring it out before Him.

• Sit with the Word. Find scriptures that remind you of His nearness. Psalm 139, Isaiah 43, and Matthew 6 are powerful reminders that God is intimately involved in your life.

• Ask God for a personal reminder. Just like Hagar had an encounter in the desert, ask the Lord to speak to you in a personal way that confirms His eyes are on you.

• Encourage someone else. Sometimes the quickest way to feel seen is to help someone else feel the same. A word of encouragement or a small act of kindness can open a floodgate of connection.

• Rest in His presence. You don’t have to strive to be seen by God. Just be with Him. Worship, pray, or sit in silence and let Him love you.

Today I want to encourage you to take heart in the truth that you are never out of God’s sight. He sees the details no one else does. He knows your motives, your struggles, and your deepest desires. Even in the wilderness, especially there, He comes close. Like Hagar, you can encounter Him in your hardest place and walk away with the confidence that you are fully seen and deeply loved.

Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 16

1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar.

2 So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.

3 So Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian servant and gave her to Abram as a wife. (This happened ten years after Abram had settled in the land of Canaan.)

4 So Abram had sexual relations with Hagar, and she became pregnant. But when Hagar knew she was pregnant, she began to treat her mistress, Sarai, with contempt.

5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “This is all your fault! I put my servant into your arms, but now that she’s pregnant she treats me with contempt. The Lord will show who’s wrong—you or me!”

6 Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.

7 The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur.

8 The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?”

“I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied.

9 The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.”

10 Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.”

11 And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress.

12 This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.”

13 Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord, who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?”

14 So that well was named Beer-lahai-roi (which means “well of the Living One who sees me”). It can still be found between Kadesh and Bered.

15 So Hagar gave Abram a son, and Abram named him Ishmael. 16Abram was eighty-six years old when Ishmael was born.

Journal:

• Where in your life do you feel unseen or forgotten?
• Write a letter to God sharing that place and asking Him to meet you there.
• List three ways God has shown up for you in the past when you felt alone.