The Daily Dose

In the beginning

“And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ ”  Matthew 19:4

This is a passage that looks like Jesus is talking to the Pharisees about divorce.  They, of course, were trying to trap Him again with their questions, but I believe Jesus is talking about something deeper.  He is talking about God’s original intent for mankind.  He said, “in the beginning they were made one flesh, male and female. (See Gen. 1:27, 2:23) God made Adam and Eve, man and wife.  Everyone after that was to leave (separate from) mother and father to become man and wife.  Then after further questioning He went on to say that Moses permitted divorce because of hardened hearts or rebellion against God’s original intent for mankind. 

The deeper meaning in this passage is that because of sin, God gave the law to Moses for people to have a standard of what was right and wrong.  The high priest was to make sacrifices for the people’s sin, and it was a provision offered for sin until the time Jesus’ blood was offered up for forgiveness and eradication the punishment for sin.  In accepting Jesus’ sacrifice, God’s intention for man is brought back to the original plan of Kingdom living.  This doesn’t mean that we never sin again, it simply means that God took care of the payment that was required for sin!

In times past, the leaders of the church community have made it seem like divorce is a sin that cannot be forgiven or at minimum, a divorced person cannot be an active member in the body of believers.  Yet, even in the law, God made provision for divorce, how much more of a deliverance is available for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Today, we live in a society that is rampant with divorce and although we know this is not God’s best and original plan for us, we also know that in Christ Jesus, there is life beyond it. 

Today I want to encourage you to love those who have suffered the pain and heartache of divorce and broken families.  Help them to pick up the pieces by showing them the life that is possible when we give all to Christ Jesus.  There is a way to get back to God’s original plan for us and that is by receiving the provision He made in Jesus and walking close to Him each day.  Don’t settle for any life less that what God originally planned for you to live, walk in all His goodness and power that He planned for you since the beginning of time.

Today’s scripture reading:  Matthew 19:1-12

 1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan.

2 And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

3 The Pharisees also came to Him, testing Him, and saying to Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?”

4 And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’

5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?

6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

7 They said to Him, “Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?”

8 He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.

9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.”

10 His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given:

12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it.” 

God is your Rock

From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. ~ Psalms 61:2

It can sometimes be hard to relate to the depth of emotion that David expressed in the Psalms. Yes, I’ve felt overwhelmed many times in my life, and even now there are days when the weight of life’s cares and concerns feels almost unbearable. But when I think about what David was carrying—his life often in danger, leading a nation, and facing betrayal from those closest to him—it puts things into perspective.

What I am so thankful for is that God’s care for us isn’t measured by the size of our struggles. Just because my burdens may not be as heavy as David’s doesn’t mean that God doesn’t see them as significant. The overwhelming feelings that we face—whether it’s the pressure of daily responsibilities, personal heartbreaks, or spiritual battles—are just as important to God as what David experienced. God is deeply invested in our struggles, no matter how big or small they seem.

David’s words from thousands of years ago still hold power and truth for us today. When he cried out to God saying, “lead me to the rock that is higher than I,” he was acknowledging his need for something beyond himself, for a refuge that would stand firm when everything else around him was falling apart. That same Rock—God Himself—is still available to us.

On those days when my heart feels overwhelmed and life’s demands seem too much to handle, I cling to this verse. It becomes more than just a passage I read—it becomes my lifeline. I cry out to God, and He reminds me that He is higher, stronger, and more steadfast than anything I face. I can go to Him, my Rock, who never wavers, even when everything else feels around me feels like it is falling apart.

Today I want to encourage you in the times when you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that God is your Rock too. You don’t have to carry your burdens alone. Run to Him. He is higher than your problems, bigger than your fears, and strong enough to hold you up when you feel like you’re about to collapse. There’s peace, strength, and hope in Him, and He’s always waiting to be your refuge in times of trouble. Let His unchanging nature and steadfast love be the anchor for your soul. No matter how overwhelming life may get, God will always be the Rock that is higher than you.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 61

1 Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, when my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For You have been a shelter for me, a strong tower from the enemy.

4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

5 For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.

6 You will prolong the king’s life, his years as many generations.

7 He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

8 So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may daily perform my vows.

 Help in Trouble

Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies. ~ Psalms 60:11-12

King David faced great challenges and defeats in battle. Anyone who has felt the sting of failure, rejection, or uncertainty can relate to his words in Psalms 60. David’s plea, “You have rejected us, O God, and burst upon us; You have been angry—now restore us!” (Psalm 60:1), is raw and real. Yet, even in his despair, he clung to hope and faith, trusting that God would restore and strengthen him for the battles ahead. This psalm reminds us that even when we feel shaken or defeated, God’s power and grace can renew us and bring victory.

I remember a time in my own life where I felt utterly defeated. It was a time when I had a failed relationship and felt rejected and alone.  It was one of the lowest points of my life.  No, I wasn’t going out to battle a physical enemy army, but I was fighting off the internal enemy of fear and resentment. I came to a point where I questioned if there was a reason or purpose for my life.  Was I even supposed to be here?  Much like David, I felt as though God had abandoned me in the battle. I had poured everything inside me into this relationship, only to find disappointment, unfaithfulness and discouragement.

When I turned to the Lord, I found renewed strength and wisdom.  Like David I cried out to God and was honest with Him in my own prayers. I remember kneeling down and saying, “God, I feel like I’ve failed. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing anymore.” But just like David, I didn’t stop there. I also asked for God’s help, for His guidance to restore me in the areas where I felt broken. Psalm 60:12 gave me the strength to keep going and I realized that my battles were not just mine to fight—God was right there in the middle of them with me, working even when I couldn’t see it.

As I pressed into His presence, God began to restore my heart. He showed me that setbacks are often setups for growth. He didn’t reject me or the work I was doing; rather, He was refining me, strengthening my faith, and teaching me to depend on His power rather than my own. Eventually, I was able to move on, but more importantly, I came out of that season with a deeper trust in God and a greater understanding of His grace.

Today I want to encourage you that if you’re in a place where you feel overwhelmed or like you’re fighting a losing battle, remember that God hasn’t abandoned you. His love and restoration are always within reach, even in the hardest of times. Just as He restored David and gave him victory, He will do the same for you. Let this psalm remind you that with God, you will have the victory—and that He is the One Who fights for you. Stay encouraged and trust that He is working all things for your good, even when you can’t see the outcome, yet.  Remember David’s prayer and claim it in your own battles: “Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory” (Psalm 60:11-12). Keep holding on to God’s promises, because His victory is sure!

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 60

1O God, You have cast us off; You have broken us down; You have been displeased; Oh, restore us again!

2You have made the earth tremble; You have broken it; Heal its breaches, for it is shaking.

3You have shown Your people hard things; You have made us drink the wine of confusion.

4You have given a banner to those who fear You, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah

5That Your beloved may be delivered, save with Your right hand, and hear me.

6God has spoken in His holiness: “I will rejoice; I will divide Shechem and measure out the Valley of Succoth.

7Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine; Ephraim also is the helmet for My head; Judah is My lawgiver.

8Moab is My washpot; Over Edom I will cast My shoe; Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me.”

9Who will bring me to the strong city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? and You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?

11Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless.

12Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

Forgiveness

“So, My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”  Matthew 18:35

This is such an excellent principle and one I should have listed when I wrote about the kingdom of heaven’s principles a few days ago.  Forgiveness!  In today’s society, there is little of it.  Most people are more concerned about what they have a right to be angry about.  Even Christians, surprisingly are quick to find fault and hold on to offense as if we have never made a mistake.

There are two sides to every story.  In today’s reading, we see these two sides.  A man owed the king a great amount.  In those times, if you didn’t have funds, you could pay off a debt in a variety of ways such as: work off the dept, be sold to pay for the debt, sell all your belongings or your family.  This man asked for forgiveness and was granted a pardon.  The king had compassion, he was a good and kind king.  Compassion points to kindness in a heart.

The same man who had just been forgiven and pardoned, found someone who was in debt to him and because of having a hard heat, he grabbed him by the throat and threatened to have him arrested if he didn’t pay off all that was owed.  When the king heard about it, he became angry and returned that man’s debt back to him.  He was forced to pay the debt back through torture.  Yikes!

On one side of the story, the man asked for forgiveness and got it.  On the other side, the same man was asked for forgiveness and did not give it.  Does this sound familiar?  When we go to God in heaven and ask for forgiveness and invite Jesus into our life, He freely forgives.  Now it is expected and required that we forgive all others the same as we were forgiven.  Whether a greater or small offense, we are to forgive with compassion just as we were forgiven. No more holding on to the offense of hurting my pride, my feelings or my body physically.  We are commanded to forgive just as we are forgiven.

This does not have to be hard.  If you decide and plan ahead of time that you are going to forgive others just as you were forgiven, you will begin to practice it in your everyday life.  You put on kindness and wear it wherever you go.  You decide that you are going to be kind to all other people because of who you are and who you belong to, not because of what others have done to deserve your kindness.  The truth is none of us deserves anything good.  We have all missed it at one time or another.  So now our job is to offer grace and compassion to draw lost and offended people into the kingdom.

Today I want to encourage you to forgive.  Decide that you are going to live a life of God’s grace and forgiveness.  Practice kindness to all in your daily life.  Make an intentional decision to treat others the way God treats you.  He has compassion on you each day and He is always looking out for your good, not to do evil to you.  Put away this mindset that says: “I’ll be nice to them if they are nice to me.”  Thank goodness God didn’t have that attitude, He loved us before we were His family, He loved and died for us while we were still sinners and walking in rebellion.  He has compassion on us because of who He is, not who we are.  Love others today and keep loving them until they turn from evil and are kind in return.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:21-35

21 Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”

22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 

23 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 

24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 

25 But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 

26 The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 

27 Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.

28 “But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ 

29 So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 

30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt. 

31 So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done. 

32 Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 

33 Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’ 

34 And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.

35 “So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

The power of agreement

Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.  Matthew 18:19

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you desperately needed God to intervene? Maybe you’ve prayed, fasted, and done everything you know to do, but you still haven’t seen the answer you were hoping for. This verse from Matthew is a powerful reminder that when we agree with others in prayer, we are tapping into a promise from Jesus Himself.

In Matthew 18:19, Jesus tells us that if two or more agree in prayer about anything, God will answer. What an incredible promise! But even more amazing is that this verse points out our role in the process—we are not just passive observers. Through agreement, we participate in God’s divine plan for our lives and the world around us.

The verse just before this, Matthew 18:18, says, “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” These are not just words—they are instructions. Jesus is telling us that we have a role to play in bringing heaven’s solutions into our earthly circumstances.

But what does it mean to “bind” or “loose” something in the spiritual realm? Simply put, it means we have been given the authority, through the name of Jesus, to stop (bind) what is against God’s will and release (loose) what is in line with His will. For example, if you are facing a financial struggle, and you come into agreement with someone else in prayer, you can not only ask God to meet the need, but also bind the enemy from stealing that provision. In the same way, you can loose the provision you’re asking for into your life, all in the name of Jesus.

When we accepted Jesus, we became part of God’s family, and as His children, we were given the authority that Adam lost in the Garden of Eden. This authority is not a distant concept—it’s the same authority that Jesus displayed throughout His ministry on earth. He was our perfect example of how-to bring heaven’s power into everyday situations, and He invites us to do the same.

So why aren’t we seeing more of this power in our world today? Why does the world seem to be in constant chaos? I believe part of the answer is that we’ve forgotten just how much authority God has entrusted to us. We often get bogged down in our own struggles and forget that God has given us the power, through prayer and agreement, to change the world around us.

Today, I want to encourage you to get into agreement with others in prayer. Find like-minded believers who are willing to stand with you in faith, not only for your personal needs but for the needs of the world around you. Bind the enemy’s plans, and loose God’s purposes over your life, your family, and even the global crises we face today. Remember, God is ready and willing to move, but He wants to work with us through our voice of agreement with others. So, let’s take hold of this promise today. Speak in faith, ask for heaven’s solutions, and watch as God opens the door to bring His power into our lives and our world.

Today’s scripture reading: Matthew 18:15-20

15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 

16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 

17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 

20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Let Praise be your Weapon

But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. ~ Psalms 59:16

I grew up going to church with my family, and because we were there every time the doors were open, I’ve heard a lot of songs in my lifetime. It amazes me that even today, I can randomly remember a song I haven’t heard in years, and yet still know all the words. When I sing them now, these melodies carry a much deeper meaning. They remind me of everything I’ve been through in life and, more importantly, how my heavenly Father picked me up along the way. Singing about His mercy and grace hits differently now, and the message in those old songs speaks to my heart in ways I never fully understood before.

There have been moments in my life when I felt completely overwhelmed, like everything was coming against me at once. One instance that stands out is when I was a single mother, juggling work, raising children, and dealing with all the uncertainties of life. I remember one particular time feeling exhausted and vulnerable, wondering if I was strong enough to make it through. There were times I wondered if God even saw what I was going through, and whether He would help me overcome.

But in those moments, God’s presence became my refuge. Just like David in the Psalm today, I learned to turn my fear and anxiety into praise. When I felt surrounded by things I couldn’t control, I began to sing—sometimes out loud, sometimes just in my heart—trusting that God was my fortress. His strength became more real to me than the struggles I was facing. While the answers didn’t always come right away, I found peace in His presence. He became my shelter in the storm, and praising Him led me through every difficulty I faced.

Maybe you are in a crisis today and you want to be able to trust that God is your protector, even when it feels like you’re surrounded by enemies—whether those enemies are circumstances, fears, or even people who stand against you. The good news is that you can trust Him and when you remember that God is with you, you can find the strength to sing in the middle of the battle. You can face each new day with the assurance that His love and faithfulness will carry you through.

Here are the words to one of my favorites that reminds me that singing praise is a weapon that chases my enemies away:

So today I want to encourage you that whatever you are facing, remember this: God is your fortress. He sees you, and He is stronger than anything that comes against you. Even when you may not feel like it, ask for the strength to raise a hallelujah and just as He delivered David from his enemies, He will deliver you too. Take refuge in His strength, and let His love be the song you sing through every one of your troubles.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Defend me from those who rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men.

3 For look, they lie in wait for my life; The mighty gather against me, not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.

4 They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. Awake to help me, and behold!

5 You therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to punish all the nations; Do not be merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah

6 At evening they return, they growl like a dog, and go all around the city.

7 Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, “Who hears?”

8 But You, O Lord, shall laugh at them; You shall have all the nations in derision.

9 I will wait for You, O You his Strength; For God is my defense.

10 My God of mercy shall come to meet me; God shall let me see my desire on my enemies.

11 Do not slay them, lest my people forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be taken in their pride, and for the cursing and lying which they speak.

13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be; And let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah

14 And at evening they return, they growl like a dog, and go all around the city.

15 They wander up and down for food, and howl if they are not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.

17 To You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; For God is my defense, my God of mercy.

Unjust

The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked, so that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.” ~ Psalms 58:10-11

 Yesterday I wrote about getting caught when I was guilty of doing something against the law.  Today the passage is about the opposite of that.  When injustice is done.  When wrong is done to us without cause, it can feel confusing, painful and deeply unfair.  Thankfully, I don’t have a lot of experience with this, but I do have some insight into it.  There were times when I had people come against me but I have faced moments where others came against me—not because of anything I did wrong, but because they didn’t understand God’s blessings in my life.

There was a season in my life where I faced resistance from people who didn’t understand the blessings God was pouring into my life. I remember a time when I was promoted in a ministry position. To me, it was a moment of joy—God was opening doors and expanding my reach to help more people. However, there were some who felt that I didn’t deserve it, that somehow it wasn’t “fair” for me to receive such favor. There were whispers, doubts cast about my character, and I could feel their jealousy. I was hurt, but I knew deep in my heart that this was God’s hand at work. I hadn’t done anything to cause their reactions, and no matter what I said or did, I couldn’t change their hearts. In those moments, I had to trust that God saw the injustice and that He would handle it in His time.

It’s comforting to know that no matter what injustice we face, God sees it all. He knows the hearts and intentions of people, and He doesn’t turn a blind eye to wrongdoing. Sometimes it may seem like evil is prospering, or that people who live unjustly get ahead, but this passage assures us that justice will come. God is not indifferent to our pain or to the corruption in the world. He is a righteous judge who will, in His perfect time, bring about the vengeance and justice that is needed.

While it may feel strange to talk about rejoicing in vengeance, this verse isn’t about celebrating someone else’s downfall. It’s about rejoicing in God’s righteousness. When God brings justice, it brings peace to our hearts because we know that wrongs have been made right. The “washing of feet in the blood of the wicked” symbolizes the complete victory over evil and the total deliverance from the oppression of the unjust. As believers, we don’t need to take vengeance into our own hands because we trust that God will do what is right and fair in His perfect timing.

The closing verse is a promise that should fill us with hope: “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely He is God who judges in the earth.” If you have been walking faithfully with God, trusting Him even in the midst of unfair treatment, know this: there is a reward for you. God honors those who follow Him, even when it’s hard, even when others mock, mistreat, or misunderstand you. You don’t have to strive to prove yourself or justify your actions—God will reward your faithfulness.

If you’ve been wronged or mistreated, remember that God is both your protector and your defender. It may feel tempting to get even or to seek revenge, but Psalm 58 encourages us to trust that God’s justice is perfect. He will take care of the wickedness in His time, and when He does, it will be complete. Your role is to continue walking in righteousness, knowing that God sees your faithfulness and that your reward is sure.

Today I want to encourage you to thank God for being your righteous judge. In times when you feel mistreated, overlooked, or wronged, trust in His justice. Know that He sees every injustice, and He will bring about the right outcome in His perfect timing. Ask Him for the grace to continue walking in righteousness and leave vengeance in His hands. Remember His promise that there is a reward for those who remain faithful. Then rejoice in His righteousness, knowing that He is the God who judges the earth and defends those who follow Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 58

1 Do you indeed speak righteousness, you silent ones? Do you judge uprightly, you sons of men?

2 No, in heart you work wickedness; You weigh out the violence of your hands in the earth.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb; They go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies.

4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent; They are like the deaf cobra that stops its ear,

5 Which will not heed the voice of charmers, charming ever so skillfully.

6 Break their teeth in their mouth, O God! Break out the fangs of the young lions, O Lord!

7 Let them flow away as waters which run continually; When he bends his bow, let his arrows be as if cut in pieces.

8 Let them be like a snail which melts away as it goes, like a stillborn child of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the burning thorns, He shall take them away as with a whirlwind, as in His living and burning wrath.

10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance; He shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked,

11 So that men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is God who judges in the earth.”

Busted

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by. ~ Psalms 57:1

It feels fitting that today, of all days, I read this scripture. I made a mistake—and got caught. All day long, I’ve been beating myself up about it. This morning on my way to work, I was driving through a school zone, one I drive through almost every day. Normally, the flashing lights and the long line of cars in front of me make it impossible to speed, not that I ever would intentionally.

But today was different. I caught a green light, and there was no traffic ahead. As I neared the top of a hill, I saw rolling red and blue lights in my rearview mirror. My stomach dropped and I realized that it was that time of the day that I needed to be more cautious. I was busted. I hadn’t been paying attention, and I knew I wasn’t going the right speed.

I prayed for mercy as the officer approached my window, but deep down, I knew I was guilty. When he handed me the citation, he informed me that I could plead guilty or not guilty within ten days. As I sat there, all I could think was, “Lord, please don’t let this be too bad.”

I started searching for reasons why God should have mercy on me, but nothing I came up with felt like enough. I had been careless, plain and simple. However, as I thought more about it, something shifted in my heart. Instead of staying in that place of guilt and self-condemnation, I decided to be thankful.

Thankful that I didn’t hurt anyone. Thankful that the officer was there, doing his job, watching out for the safety of children on their way to school. Sure, it hurts to pay a fine, but I realized it could have been so much worse. It was a reminder that there are laws in place to protect lives, and it’s my responsibility to follow them. I don’t want to be reckless and endanger anyone, especially not those innocent lives crossing the street at that time of the morning.

Like David in Psalms 57, I cried out for mercy, and I found comfort in God’s protection—even in the midst of my mistake. David wrote this psalm while hiding from Saul in a cave, asking for God’s mercy and refuge from his enemies. While my situation wasn’t nearly as dire, the message still speaks to me. God’s mercy isn’t just for the big, life-threatening moments—it’s for the everyday moments when we mess up, when we fall short, and when we’re reminded of our need for His grace.

I learned a hard and humbling lesson, but I’m resting in the shadow of God’s wings, knowing that His mercy covers my mistakes, both big and small. Even when we are “busted,” His grace is available, and we can find refuge in Him until the storm passes.

If you’re feeling weighed down by mistakes or trapped in guilt, receive God’s mercy today. He is ready to welcome you with open arms, and He doesn’t hold your mistakes against you. Whether it’s a careless error like speeding or an intentional wrong choice, God’s forgiveness is the same. He died for all sin—there’s nothing He won’t cover with His grace. None of us are perfect, and that’s why we need our perfect Savior. He isn’t looking to condemn you; He wants to love you and set you free. But when we hold onto guilt, we close the door to the fullness of what God wants to pour into our lives.

So today I want to encourage you to let go of any mistakes or regrets that are weighing you down. Don’t let them keep you from running to your Heavenly Father. He already knows what you’ve done, so just confess it to Him and let it go. When you bring your shortcomings to God, it’s not when He finds out—it’s when He starts working through them with you. After you’ve let it go, ask Him to bring good out of the situation. That’s what God does best—He takes what the enemy intended to bring you down and turns it into something good!

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 57

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You; And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, until these calamities have passed by.

2 I will cry out to God Most High, to God who performs all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven and save me; He reproaches the one who would swallow me up. Selah God shall send forth His mercy and His truth.

4 My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men who are set on fire, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

6 They have prepared a net for my steps; My soul is bowed down; They have dug a pit before me; Into the midst of it they themselves have fallen. Selah

7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake, my glory! Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the dawn.

9 I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing to You among the nations.

10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Let Your glory be above all the earth.

When I am afraid

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. In God (I will praise His word), In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me? ~ Psalms 56:3-4

 Fear is something we all experience at one point or another, and it can creep into our lives in subtle or overwhelming ways. I used to be afraid of many things. Especially when I was a single mom, fear seemed like a constant companion. I was afraid that I wouldn’t have everything I needed to take care of my children. I worried about something bad happening to me or my kids, and sometimes, I was afraid to take steps toward something new, fearing the unknown.

One day I read this passage in Psalms, and it became a lifeline to me during the moments when fear tried to take over. In this Psalm, David declared his trust in God during his own time of fear, boldly stating, “What can flesh do to me?” Those words stood out to me. I realized that my fear, while real, didn’t have to control me. Like David, I could put my trust in God and release the fear that had weighed on my heart.

For many people who don’t have a relationship with God, fear often becomes the driving force behind their decisions. Without the assurance of a loving heavenly Father to guide them, they may live in a constant state of anxiety and uncertainty. Decisions are made based on what might go wrong, or how to avoid worst-case scenarios, rather than living with hope or purpose. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of loss—these fears can trap people in cycles of hesitation, inaction, or poor choices. The absence of God’s peace leaves a void, which fear eagerly fills. However, when we know God and trust Him with our lives, we can break free from the paralysis that fear brings and instead walk forward in confidence, knowing that God holds our future securely in His hands.

As I learned to trust God more, I began to see how He provided for me and my children in ways I couldn’t have imagined. When I was afraid that I wouldn’t have enough, God showed up as my provider. When I worried about something bad happening, He reminded me that His protection was over us. When I feared stepping out in faith, He gave me the courage to move forward, knowing that He was with me every step of the way.

God’s Word reminds us that fear doesn’t have the final say. We serve a God who is greater than our fears. When fear comes knocking, we have a choice—we can either let it paralyze us, or we can place our trust in God, by giving Him control of every area of life. It’s not about pretending we aren’t afraid; it’s about choosing to trust God despite our fear.

Today I want to encourage you if you’re struggling with fear, to meditate on Psalms 56:3-4. Let it remind you that God is with you, that He is trustworthy, and that He will be your strength in moments of weakness. No matter what you are facing, know that you don’t have to face it alone.  In those moments when fear tries to keep you from moving forward in life, use that as a reminder to walk in faith instead.  You only get one chance to make the most of the time you have in this world.  Trust God today in every step you take and leave fear far behind you.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 56

1 Be merciful to me, O God, for man would swallow me up; Fighting all day he oppresses me.

2 My enemies would hound me all day, for there are many who fight against me, O Most High.

3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

4 In God (I will praise His word), in God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?

5 All day they twist my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather together, they hide, they mark my steps, when they lie in wait for my life.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In anger cast down the peoples, O God!

8 You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?

9 When I cry out to You, then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me.

10 In God (I will praise His word), in the Lord (I will praise His word),

11 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

12 Vows made to You are binding upon me, O God; I will render praises to You,

13 For You have delivered my soul from death. Have You not kept my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Cast your Burden

As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice. ~ Psalms 55:16-17

I’ll never forget the moment I truly understood that God hears me when I call on Him. That realization transformed my prayer life—knowing that God is always listening, ready to walk with me. For years, I would pray, hoping God was listening, but still feeling uncertain, never really knowing if I was being heard or that something was going to happen or change.  Even though by that time in my life I had already seen many prayers answered and had been calling out to Him often, I still didn’t have the assurance in my heart that He was listening.

Then once day I read a scripture that said: “When you call on Him, He will answer you.”  There was no guess work in that statement and no maybes.  It was a straight up promise, and something happened on the inside of my heart that day.  Suddenly, I realized that God is not too busy to hear my cry and He isn’t to far away that He cannot hear me whisper.  This realization was a game changer for me.  After that moment whenever I prayed, I remembered that my heavenly Father was hearing me and was on the move after He heard me.  I grew such a confidence in His ability to move on my behalf and change the world around me or just change my heart.  My faith stance took on a hole new posture in my time with my Father because now I knew that He was listening and wanted to be involved in every area of my life.

Today’s verse is one of those promises in the scriptures that confirms that He hears my voice.  Thank you, Lord! Then later on in this chapter verse 22 says to cast my burden on the Lord and He will sustain me and hold me up.  He will never allow me to be moved when I am standing in faith and not trying to carry my burden alone.  This means that whenever I am uneasy and having those anxious feelings of not being able to fix something or handle a situation, I can not only turn it over onto Him, but I can actually cast or throw it off like a heavy weight and feel the release of that stress and concern. When I give it over to my Father, He takes it from me, gets rid of it and holds me above the circumstances and gives me His peace in place of that stress.  Glory to God!

He will do the same thing for you, but the key is in believing that He does hear you when you call and then trust that He has things in His control.  You cannot cast your burden one minute and then start worrying all over again the next.  The key is to cast your burden and truly leave it with God. Don’t pick it back up through worry or doubt. Once you give it to Him, trust that He is handling it. Release the burden, and thank Him for already being at work—even when you can’t see it yet.  Don’t try to tell Him how to handle it, simply let Him handle it His way, because that will be greater than anything you could have come up with on your own. Trust Him today with whatever you are facing and let Him hold you up above the storms of life.

Today, I challenge you to take a step of faith: Identify one burden you’ve been carrying and cast it on God. After you’ve prayed, release it and stop worrying about it. Trust that He is at work, and every time anxiety rises, thank Him for handling it. Watch as He begins to transform both your situation and your heart.

God doesn’t wait until you call on Him to decide if He is going to help and He is not undependable.  He is faithful and you can count on Him always being faithful to help!  He will keep His promises and He promised that when you cry out to Him, He is right there ready to work on your behalf.  Once you have that settled, begin to cast every concern, fear, worry and doubt over Him and He will sustain you.  It may take some practice to fully trust that He is handling everything, but after you tell Him about what is going on, don’t keep telling Him over and over again.  Release your burdens into His capable hands, and then begin praising Him for His faithful provision—whether you see the outcome yet or not. He will take care of every concern and in the process, He will change you into a worry-free person.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 55

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication.

2 Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily,

3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked; For they bring down trouble upon me, and in wrath they hate me.

4 My heart is severely pained within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.

5 Fearfulness and trembling have come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.

6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.

7 Indeed, I would wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah

8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.”

9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues, for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

10 Day and night they go around it on its walls; Iniquity and trouble are also in the midst of it.

11 Destruction is in its midst; Oppression and deceit do not depart from its streets.

12 For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him.

13 But it was you, a man my equal, my companion and my acquaintance.

14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked to the house of God in the throng.

15 Let death seize them; Let them go down alive into hell, for wickedness is in their dwellings and among them.

16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me.

17 Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, and He shall hear my voice.

18 He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many against me.

19 God will hear, and afflict them, even He who abides from of old. Selah Because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God.

20 He has put forth his hands against those who were at peace with him; He has broken his covenant.

21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.

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

23 But You, O God, shall bring them down to the pit of destruction; Bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; But I will trust in You.