Today's Verse - Romans 5:5

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

—Romans 5:5

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The source of our hope is not just in Jesus' prior work on the Cross and in the empty tomb as he "who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1:10). Our hope isn't dependent upon our own will-power and commitment to hang on to hope — although, at times, we need these virtues. No, God made sure the burning fire of vibrant hope would never run out of fuel in our hearts. He did this by filling us with his Holy Spirit and pouring his love into our hearts. That same Spirit Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also raise us up and give us life when Jesus returns (Romans 8:11).

My Prayer...

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the gift of your Holy Spirit who keeps my hope alive, fills me with a sense of your loving presence, empowers me to live for Jesus, and is interceding for me now as I pray. May my life consistently display my confidence in your love by sharing your kindness with others because of my hope in Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Micah 5:4

[The LORD's Messiah] will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace.

—Micah 5:4

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

The prophet, Micah, looked into God's future and anticipated, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Messiah's presence as Israel's Shepherd. This future one born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-6) would be Israel's Shepherd, King, and Messiah. We know Jesus, our Messiah, Shepherd, and LORD, has come! We find our hope in him. He is our Good Shepherd, who will return for us, call us each by name, and bring us securely into his fold forever. There, we will share in his protective care and eternal peace. O LORD, please hasten that day to come, soon!

My Prayer...

Our LORD God, thank you for sending Jesus as the sacrificial lamb for my sins and the Good Shepherd of your sheep. Thank you for the promise of rest, protection, and peace that are part of my present and my future with your Son as my shepherd. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - Psalm 5:3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

—Psalm 5:3

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When I read this verse, I remember Richard Melton, a beloved elder in a church where I once preached and a dedicated prayer warrior. He would quote this verse every morning before he entered into prayer. He often quoted this verse with tears in his eyes because he did expectantly wait for the LORD to join him and to answer! Why the tears? Because prayer is so much more — more than we realize and more than we can explain. It is more than making requests. It is more than offering praise. It is more than giving thanks. It is more than interceding for others. It is more than the positions we use to pray — kneeling, prostrating, or bowing before God. Prayer is us knowing God wants us there and loves when we "wait in expectation" for him and his answers to our prayers. Prayer is expecting God to act and bring his redemption in response to our prayers. It is eagerly expecting that God will meet us in our prayer time and do what is best for us, and those for whom we pray.

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My Prayer...

Loving Father and Eternal God, thank you for meeting me in this prayer time. I know you hear me and care about what I share with you. Thank you for paying attention to someone like me and accepting me as your precious child. Thank you! O LORD, I wait in expectation to see you move in the lives of people for whom I pray. In Jesus' mighty name. Amen.