In this chapter, God is prophesying punishment for Assyria, and He is calling out the arrogant heart of the king. Today’s verse describes the relationship of the king of Assyria and God, equating Assyria as being a tool in God’s hands.

The arrogance and pride of the king blinded him to the source of his blessings. As Christians, we know who the source of our blessings is, but sometimes pride can creep slowly into our hearts, causing us to put more stock in our abilities rather than on Him who bestowed those abilities on us in the first place. God has given us everything that we need to sustain our physical existence here on earth, and we should be grateful in every aspect so that we do not lose sight of the Sustainer. God is in the big things like our paycheck, our abilities, and our talents, as well as the little things like laundry detergent and toothpaste. Lord, give us hearts of thankfulness filled with appreciation for all of your provision in our daily lives, and may we cultivate an attitude of constant thankfulness that will grow our awareness of our absolute dependence on you.

Jeff Mericle

Romans 8 is packed with such a preponderance of spiritual truth, it will never in a lifetime disappoint any thirsty soul who comes to its spring to drink. One of its most staggering promises is found in verse 32. The fact that God would not spare His own Son but instead deliver Him into the hands of evil men who mocked Him, tortured Him, and crucified Him, must never cease to astonish us. Jesus took the full force of the wrath of God that we deserved. It is the hour of Christ’s greatest glory, and we shall sing praise to the glory of His grace forever: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.”

What amazes me about this verse is that the basis of its promise is this most important event in all of history. Because God displayed His greatest glory in delivering up His Son for us all, we will never be in want of any good thing. Because He took care of our greatest need, He will not ignore any other real need. He knows the things we need before we ask. Therefore we should never be discontent during our brief and temporary life now because of the infinitely satisfying reward that awaits us with Him in glory. The ultimate reward in heaven is God Himself, and we will know Him and love Him and enjoy Him forever. Blessed be His Name!

Tom Day

I’m not going to lie, it usually feels pretty good to provide an answer that is well thought out, articulate, and accompanied with wisdom. As a pastor, counseling others is a normal occurrence in my life. I wish I could say everything I say is profound and articulate but I know that’s not true. But when you take the time to listen and process what has just been said and allow some thought to enter into the equation, there are often times when all the right words just spill out. Sure, it gives me joy to know that God can use a donkey like me, but even more joyous is how those right words at the right time are able to bless someone in desperate need for them.

Please Lord, allow us to listen, think, and then speak, relying on you to give us those perfect words at the perfect time.

Pastor Jason Witt

There is no doubt that God is patient with us. Some might question why the evil get away with so much? Peter tells us the Lord is longsuffering towards us. He is patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others. God will continue to give chances and open the door for repentance. God is not a God that wants to send anyone to hell. He is not willing that anyone should perish. That is why He sent His Son. He wants all of us to come to repentance.

There are many people in our lives that don’t believe there is a God because of all the evil that is going on. The truth is, God is patient and not willing that any should perish. He has no pleasure that the evil would perish (Ezekiel 33:11). God has made a promise and soon enough it will come to pass. In the mean time, He is waiting for sinners to repent. Just like He did with us.

Joshua Navarro

This verse represents a call to action for each of us. We aren’t charged with the task of doing good in order to earn favor with God; we attend to the well-being of others because it reflects the character of the Lord that we love and serve. It’s an opportunity, not a burden.

When presented with the opportunity, I am called upon to “do good to all,” whether they are lost or saved. Fortunately for those in need, I don’t have to muster some good will out of my soul by the strength of my will. I need only to call upon the Spirit of the Living God who has redeemed me and resides within me. Heavenly empowerment to do good is abundantly available to us for the asking.

My friends, join me in asking the Lord to grant us compassion for others today. Compassion that results in caring for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and also for those who don’t yet know the heavenly blessing of God’s saving grace. Compassion that leads to action. Compassion that unites us with our Lord in the sharing of His love.

Jeff Deal

God had set Israel apart for a higher purpose, but instead their actions would make them a common people who did not know the Lord. Instead, God said, “They set up alters to sacrifice on, but they were alters of sin.” They set aside God’s Word to follow false teachers, who would lead them far from the truth. That’s why God’s Word became a strange thing to them. The Word of God was alien to them. They thought it didn’t apply to them and that it was written for someone else.

How many times do we sit in church and think, “Boy, my husband or my wife needs to hear this message?” Or maybe it’s your boss, neighbor, or kids. We need to understand that God’s Word is for us first.

We need to first apply God’s Word to our lives, hide it in our hearts, and allow God to change us by His truth. Then we can rightly give it out to others. God’s Word should be a familiar thing to us, not a strange or foreign thing, given to us by our Heavenly Father, who has set us apart for a higher purpose.

Pastor Doug Hardin

Often times the biggest opposition we face comes from people within the church who are serving for all the wrong reasons. John writes of such a person, a man named Diotrephes. He was a disgruntled person. He was a person who loved his position. He loved to be first. He loved to have his name out there and wanted it to be attached to everything. He was hungry for a title and not being a servant of the Lord.

We need to make sure when we are serving the Lord, it is not for a title, it is only for the Lord. The only title that we should have is bondservant.

For the King,

Pastor Daniel Batistelli

A plumb line is a line or cord with a weight on the end held up next to an object to see if it’s standing straight. God’s Word is the plumb line for His people and it contains His inflexible standard of right and wrong – spiritually, morally, nationally, and religiously.

If God were to set His perfect line against our lives, how would we fare? I think we all know the answer to that question. That is why the purpose of God’s Word is to not only show us where we lack but to drive us to Jesus, our only hope for righteousness. So get into God’s Word today and find the beauty of His Son on every page.

Only Jesus can set me straight,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw

I’m always amazed at the blessings the Lord bestows upon me. I know it’s because of His love for me and not my goodness. That’s what makes the promise above so amazing. He will withhold no good thing from those who walk uprightly.

None of us are perfect, of course, but we walk uprightly by just abiding with Jesus and having our sins cleansed by Him. If we do that, the Lord promises NO good thing will He hold back.

You might think this promise isn’t true for you, but that might be because we sometimes confuse our wants and our needs. There’s isn’t anything we need God holds back, but sometimes that isn’t enough for us. We want constant happiness based on circumstances, instead of everlasting joy based on God’s love.

We worship an awesome God who knows how to give gifts to His children. May you remember that today and walk uprightly in Him.

Pastor Ron Kitchell

I heard someone once say that as Christians we need to realize that we are truly looking to please an audience of One. I have found that to be so true in my life. It is only when I get my eyes off the Lord and seek to make everyone happy that I fail in all counts. Fear of man, as we read here, can bring a snare to us. Yet to trust the Lord alone will keep me safe from compromise or people-pleasing. Today, remind yourself your interest is really in serving an audience of One. Please Him and you will never fall into a snare.

My Lord, the audience of One!

Pastor Jack Abeelen