Today Daily Devotional

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
— Acts 17:26

Our reading from Psalm 104 paints a picture of all God’s provisions for the creatures in his wonderful world. But when we look around us, it’s easy to find hungry people and other creatures without shelter or food. Homelessness—for beleaguered people, habitat-deprived creatures, or even hiveless bees—is not the way it’s supposed to be.Honeybees have lived in a variety of homes over the course of time. A hollow log in a sheltered area can provide a great home for bees. People have also provided homes or hives for them. In earlier times a pot or basket would work well. Beehives for producing honey today are commonly made of stackable boxes with removable frames.Last spring, my son and I installed two small colonies of honeybees in our bee boxes. The process is fairly simple. We transferred frames from a couple of “nucs” (nucleus colonies of bees) into our boxes. The bees quickly settled into their new home.As a family, my wife and children and I have lived in many different places, and God has supplied all that we have needed. We find strength in knowing that God has been with us in all the places where we have been called to live.From the abundance God has given, may we open our hearts and hands to help people who need a home today.

Lord, thank you for providing us with homes and so much more. Fill us with gratitude and generosity, that we may share with people in need. Amen.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
— Hebrews 11:3

I started beekeeping about 20 years ago and then dropped out of it for a while. After a few more years, however, I got excited to start into it again.A problem that occurred earlier was that my previous hives became “dead-outs.” I needed new honeybees. So I called my beekeeper friend and ordered a couple of boxes of bees. He said he could prepare a couple of “nucs” (small nucleus colonies) of bees to begin new hives, but I would need to wait till they were ready for transport to my beehives.I wonder if God was excited to put all of the pieces in place when he created this wonderful world. Genesis 1 is so full and bursting with life that we can barely begin to describe the vast and marvelous variety of things God created. Among the many unnamed creatures, honeybees are often overlooked. “In the beginning . . .” God created them too.And what’s truly amazing is that God did not order the first batch of honeybees. He created them at his command! This is what Hebrews 11:3 reminds us about.Out of God’s creative genius and far beyond our imagining and ability, God created this universe and all living things, including bees. Along with bees, you and I have our beginning from that original creation. I invite you to join me in gathering glimpses of these things and to be amazed.

Creator Spirit, we praise and thank you for creating everything—including bees as well as us—so that we can reflect your goodness and glory. Amen.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
— Isaiah 40:31

The strength of human power and will is not enough to keep us on our feet. It’s not enough to keep us going when we need to carry on. But renewal comes from the Lord, who not only gives us strength but also lifts our spirits, toning the muscles of our souls. God makes us soar like eagles, providing us with the strength and determination to continue running and walking through life as we serve him, depending on his strength, wisdom, and power.It is interesting that Isaiah describes our actions here on a decreasing scale—soar, run, walk—rather than on an increasing scale. It may seem to us that he should say we are strengthened to walk, run, and soar. What is the writer’s purpose here?When we look back on the times of our lives, we can see that we soar like eagles once in a while. And sometimes we are able to run like athletes. But most of the time we walk along, day in and day out. What drains our strength and wears us out the most is not the few times we soar or run, but the daily routines in which we walk. The eagle, with its powerful wings, rises to lofty heights. The fast runner reaches the finish line in record time. The walker treads along with perseverance.But the one who renews our strength is the Lord. God is the one who strengthens our soul and empowers us to keep on in our mission in this world.

Lord, renew our strength each day. Help us soar in victory, run with endurance, and walk faithfully in our life with you. Help us to finish the race you have set before us. Amen.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.
— Isaiah 40:29-30

The sovereign Lord of the universe, who does not grow tired or weary, gives strength when we are weak and exhausted. We are subject to many weaknesses. Our strength quickly withers and fades. Our muscles and minds grow weary on the hard journeys of life. Fatigue is an unavoidable reality for us. Even the most dedicated, energetic people have passed through times of discouragement and weariness.From Moses to Elijah and from David to Hezekiah, the Lord’s chosen prophets and kings felt weakened at times (see Exodus 3-16; 1 Samuel 19-24; 1 Kings 19; 2 Kings 18-20). We can often feel the same way.But God is the source of our strength. God is our refuge and fortress. The apostle Paul agrees: “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).God is our sustainer, and he renews our strength when we stumble and fall. He forgives our sins and heals our diseases. God keeps us on our feet in the struggles of life. He fights our battles and gives us victory. The Lord gives us our life, and he supplies us the power to live. Only in him can we move forward, despite our weaknesses. We can trust in him.

Lord, in our weakness we ask that you renew our strength. Lift us when we are weary, uphold us in every challenge and hardship, and fill us with your sustaining power so that we may find strength and rest in you. Amen.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
— Isaiah 40:28

People get exhausted, but the Lord never grows tired. People are born and die, but God is immortal and everlasting. People are creatures, but God is their Creator. People have some knowledge, but God's understanding is beyond our comprehension. People dare to question God, but our arguments are unreasonable.In our text for today the prophet Isaiah points out the eternal nature of God. He is before and beyond time. Time is in his hands. God is the one who was, who is, and who is to come. Further, Isaiah emphasizes the sovereignty of God. He is the Lord. He governs the universe, the nations, the church, and our lives.God is the Creator of the ends of the earth, the master of the whole universe. Matter is not eternal. The world did not arise by itself. Our world and its solar system and all the stars and galaxies we can see when we look into space—all of it has been created by God.Isaiah also emphasizes that God is tireless. He is still at work today. He does not need to regain strength. He gives strength to the powerless.In addition, God’s understanding is unsearchable. His wisdom and knowledge are unfathomable. What a great, amazing God we serve! We can trust and obey him as we live each day in his care.

Eternal God, tireless and wise, strengthen us in our weakness. Help us to trust in your sovereignty, to rest in your care, and to obey your will. Amen.