Your Nightly Scripture

Evening Scripture John, Chapter 11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.” “But Rabbi,” they said, “a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?” Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.” His disciples replied, “Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.” Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep. So then he told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.” Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with him.” On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. “The Teacher is here,” she said, “and is asking for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there. When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. Jesus wept. Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” But some of them said, “Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?” Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said. “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?” So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him. But some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. Then the chief priests and the Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we accomplishing?” they asked. “Here is this man performing many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our temple and our nation.” Then one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, spoke up, “You know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He did not say this on his own, but as high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the Jewish nation, and not only for that nation but also for the scattered children of God, to bring them together and make them one. So from that day on they plotted to take his life. Therefore Jesus no longer moved about publicly among the people of Judea. Instead he withdrew to a region near the wilderness, to a village called Ephraim, where he stayed with his disciples. When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, many went up from the country to Jerusalem for their ceremonial cleansing before the Passover. They kept looking for Jesus, and as they stood in the temple courts they asked one another, “What do you think? Isn’t he coming to the festival at all?” But the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that anyone who found out where Jesus was should report it so that they might arrest him.” Evening Reflection C.S. Lewis notably wrote in A Grief Observed that, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” To add my thought to his observation, no one told me that grief could feel like guilt. Only recently have I connected the guilt I too often carry to the sorrow that continues to ache these long years after my mother passed away. Often, during times of loss, whether after the death of a loved one, a terminal diagnosis, or the burial of a dream, we fight against thoughts of “what if.” What if we had done things differently, would our loved ones still be here, alive and well? Or, what if we had chosen a different trajectory for our lives, perhaps our health would not be in the condition it is now? What if … [fill in the blank]. Martha and Mary also struggled with a form of “what if” after their brother, Lazarus, died. Both sisters expressed to Jesus their conviction that if only He had been there, their brother would not have died. Having heard the accounts of Christ’s ability to heal, the sisters likely assumed that He could have rebuked the illness or placed His hands on Lazarus to bring restoration of health. But He hadn’t. In fact, Jesus deliberately delayed His journey to Bethany. What we see in Jesus’ response to the death of his friend, though, shows us that He grieved. He mourned the reality of death that snatches away the breath of those we love. He mourned the effects of sin and what it means to live in a broken world. He wept, and in those tears, we find a love that is great enough to hold all our questions and ponderings. Not only is He the Savior who understands our pain, He is the Lord who called out Lazarus from the tomb. In Jesus, death is undone, and He gives us the promise of restoration and resurrection. But until that day, when all tears will be wiped away, we can trust in the goodness of Christ even as we weep at His feet. For He grieves alongside us. Evening Prayer Lord, I often carry guilt regarding my grief, that I’m not walking in the path of joyfulness, as a good Christian should. Questions continue to come to my mind as I wonder if I could have done something differently – perhaps the situation would have turned out differently. But Your Word never commands me not to grieve. I read of how You wept, Lord Jesus, after Your friend died. Two simple words on the page, yet they carry more comfort than I can express. You understand the ache I feel, the emptiness that gnaws inside me when I remember those I have loved and lost. You do not rebuke me for my lament or tell me to cheer up. Rather, You stand with me and weep. And as I consider the love You show in my season of grief, I remember that You also stand with nail-scarred hands and feet. You are the Resurrection and the Life. In You I will live even though I die. So, I grieve, but not like someone without hope, for You are my living hope, Christ. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Psalm, Chapter 37 Do not fret because of those who are evilor be envious of those who do wrong;for like the grass they will soon wither,like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good;dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord,and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord;trust in him and he will do this:He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lordand wait patiently for him;do not fret when people succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;do not fret — it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed,but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more;though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the landand enjoy peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteousand gnash their teeth at them;but the Lord laughs at the wicked,for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the swordand bend the bowto bring down the poor and needy,to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts,and their bows will be broken. Better the little that the righteous havethan the wealth of many wicked;for the power of the wicked will be broken,but the Lord upholds the righteous. The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care,and their inheritance will endure forever. In times of disaster they will not wither;in days of famine they will enjoy plenty. But the wicked will perish:Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke. The wicked borrow and do not repay,but the righteous give generously;those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,but those he curses will be destroyed. The Lord makes firm the stepsof the one who delights in him;though he may stumble, he will not fall,for the Lord upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old,yet I have never seen the righteous forsakenor their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely;their children will be a blessing. Turn from evil and do good;then you will dwell in the land forever. For the Lord loves the justand will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the landand dwell in it forever. The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts;their feet do not slip. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,intent on putting them to death;but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wickedor let them be condemned when brought to trial. Hope in the Lordand keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land;when the wicked are destroyed, you will see it. I have seen a wicked and ruthless manflourishing like a luxuriant native tree,but he soon passed away and was no more;though I looked for him, he could not be found. Consider the blameless, observe the upright;a future awaits those who seek peace. But all sinners will be destroyed;there will be no future for the wicked. The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord;he is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps them and delivers them;he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,because they take refuge in him. Evening Reflection Trusting God does not guarantee a life free from stress or difficulty. At the end of a hard day, we may wonder why our lives do not look more settled than the lives of those who give little thought to God. They appear to breeze through life with effortless success and only brief upheavals. It can be frustrating and seem unfair, or even hurt. Yet, if we are not careful, comparison — looking at someone else’s green and flourishing life while ours appears dry and difficult — can rob us of joy and delight in the Lord. Psalm 37 reminds us that things are not always as they seem. Instead of fretting, we are invited to take a wiser perspective. The Lord sees what we cannot see. He knows where each path leads, upholds those who trust Him, and promises to save His faithful ones. God is defending you at this very moment. You have a secure future. If that hope seems too distant for today’s uncertainties, then be assured that God is at work to lift you up when people and pressures wear you down. Tonight, you do not have to understand how God will put everything right. Commit what troubles you have into His hands, be still before Him, and wait. The God who holds your future is also holding you steady today. Evening Prayer Sovereign God, I give You praise as the One whose wisdom sees clearly, rules justly, and remains my strength, my stronghold, and my deliverer in times of trouble. I must admit, when I look at the lives of those who give You little thought, they seem to have few worries. Forgive me for my envy with what seems unfair. I bring to You my frustration, anger, and fears and lay them at Your feet. Then, I choose to trust in You. Calm my heart tonight as I dwell with You, knowing that You provide all that I need to live in safety and security. Fill my heart with joy as I delight in You, believing that You fulfill my deepest desires. As I am still before You, I commit all that I have and all that I do to You. I wait patiently to see Your goodness and glory. Shine Your face on me so I reflect who You are in all I think, say, and do. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Colossians, Chapter 4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas.(You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Evening Reflection There is a difference between wisdom and knowledge. Knowledge consists in the accumulation of information. We learn datum, facts, and insights that we recall at any moment. The more we know, the more knowledge we have. Wisdom, on the other hand, isn’t based on how much we know, but upon whether we rightly discern life around us. When Paul advises that we should “Be wise in the way you act” – he isn’t calling us to be smart or to know facts, but to be able to discern where God is moving around us. For Paul, wisdom is about being able to recognize where the Spirit of God calls us, each moment. We make the most of every opportunity because we live with a heartfelt desire to make God’s love known. Living as wise people involves keeping ourselves open to the Spirit’s work, so that when we can respond to what the Spirit does in us, and around us. When opportunities come to speak into someone’s life or to pray for someone, we seize that opportunity. To be wise in our walk with God is to step further into our relationship with God, it is to invite someone to explore God’s place in their life, it is to be steadfast in prayer. As you rest this night, take a moment to pray that God would give you a spirit of wisdom, one rooted in right discernment. Ask God to open your eyes and ears so that you might respond to the harvest opportunities all around you. And, like Paul, pray that God would give you the wisdom to proclaim the gospel in word and in deed, as clearly as He calls you. Evening Prayer Gracious God, You call us to live with wise and discerning hearts. If we lack wisdom, your word encourages us to ask of you boldly, trusting that you give generously without finding fault (James 1:5). And so, this night I pray that you pour into my life your Spirit of Wisdom. Open my eyes and help me see the pathway that you call me to walk. Open my ears and help me hear your voice of guidance and direction. Open my tongue so that I might proclaim your praise in ways that will be effective and meaningful for the people around me. May my life continually point to your presence, and your grace. I pray all these things in Jesus Christ my Lord, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Isaiah, Chapter 11 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him — the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord — and he will delight in the fear of the Lord. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious. In that day the Lord will reach out his hand a second time to reclaim the surviving remnant of his people from Assyria, from Lower Egypt, from Upper Egypt, from Cush, from Elam, from Babylonia, from Hamath and from the islands of the Mediterranean. He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; he will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth. Ephraim’s jealousy will vanish, and Judah’s enemies will be destroyed; Ephraim will not be jealous of Judah, nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim. They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia to the west; together they will plunder the people to the east. They will subdue Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites will be subject to them. The Lord will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian sea; with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand over the Euphrates River. He will break it up into seven streams so that anyone can cross over in sandals. There will be a highway for the remnant of his people that is left from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from Egypt. Evening Reflection I see it everywhere. The feverish eyes, the agape mouths, and listening ears. If you look closely, you can see it too. The obsession with noise, distraction, and being busy. We call it normal, but is it really the life Christ envisioned for each of us? Today, many people are searching for peace in a world that’s overstimulated, anxious, chaotic, and uncertain. So, they buy Netflix subscriptions, more Starbucks lattes, and luxury vacations. And yet, they’re still empty inside. They can’t seem to find the peace they so desperately long for. Anything they fill themselves with only goes in one end and directly out the other. Even when circumstances seem calm, our hearts still feel restless. When you think about your life, where are you longing for peace right now? Is it about a situation? A relationship? A job? A financial situation? A diagnosis? Whatever it is, name the worries, pressures, or uncertainties weighing on your heart. Speak them out loud as a prayer to God. Doing this won’t necessarily change the situation or the outcome, but it can serve as a reminder that God is over them all. His peace will reign even if you can’t feel or see that peace right now. Then, answer these questions honestly with Him: Have I been looking to people, achievements, or circumstances to give me peace? What is keeping me from fully resting in Jesus today? How might God be inviting me to trust Him more deeply? As you do, don’t judge yourself for your answers, but use them as knowledge and insight. Just like Isaiah painted a picture of the Prince of Peace that would come through the promised Messiah, our lives can too, even feel peaceful in the face of calamity. Then and now, Jesus is the Prince of Peace who brings hope to a broken world, and His peace alone is deeper than the absence of problems; it’s the presence of Himself (Christ). My life is often still full of chaos, noise, and anxiety. Yours most likely is, too. But one day, Jesus will make all things new and establish perfect peace forever. That’s an anchored promise of truth we can build our lives upon and dock ourselves in when times get tough. This passage reminds us that all of us will go through hard things, but Jesus was given to us as our burden-bearer. What burdens do you need to place at His feet? Have you been searching for peace apart from Him or in Him? More importantly, how can you practice resting in His promises instead of your fears today? As you prepare for rest, ask yourself where you’re placing your trust. Then, invite the Holy Spirit to bring a sense of peace that only He can. Evening Prayer Dear Jesus, Tonight, I want to bring my worries, fears, and burdens before you. I lay them down. Please help me to stop striving for peace in places that will never satisfy, and instead, look to you alone. Even when it hurts or I don’t understand, I will trust that you’re with me in every circumstance I face. Allow me to rest in the hope and peace that only you can provide. I love you, Lord. Amen. Agape, Amber Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Luke, Chapter 19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once. He said: “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to have himself appointed king and then to return. So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. ‘Put this money to work,’ he said, ‘until I come back.’ “But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We don’t want this man to be our king.’ He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’ ‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’ The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’ His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’ Then another servant came and said, ‘Sir, here is your mina; I have kept it laid away in a piece of cloth. I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.’ His master replied, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked servant! You knew, did you, that I am a hard man, taking out what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow? Why then didn’t you put my money on deposit, so that when I came back, I could have collected it with interest?’ Then he said to those standing by, ‘Take his mina away from him and give it to the one who has ten minas.’ ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘he already has ten!’ He replied, ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away. But those enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them — bring them here and kill them in front of me.’” After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road. When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace — but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words. Evening Reflection In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul encourages us to “pray continually…”, to pray without ceasing. But how in the world do we do that when we have jobs, mouths to feed, and so many other commitments? Well, rather than keeping your faith in Jesus separate from all of the obligations of this life, perhaps you ought to look to see how you include that faith in everything you do – into every part of your life. In Luke 19, the tax collector – Zacchaeus – didn’t just start to believe in Jesus, he changed his entire life. When Jesus told the parable of the ten minas, the servant with one mina took it and buried it, then went on with his life because the king was a “hard man.” The other two committed all they had to serve the king, to their faith. So, where does Jesus fit into your world? For so many, it’s a cluster of independent circles surrounding them: church, family, job, finances, hobbies, and others. Oh sure, sometimes they intersect, but for the most part, the circles are detached and quite unrelated. We attend church with the family but don’t really share our faith. Our decisions at work are kept in their place – and their place is at work. Max Lucado once wrote, “All believers have God in their heart. But not all believers have given their whole heart to God.” Ask yourself, how can the Holy Spirit have more of me? Have all of me? The answer is simple – not easy, but simple. Surrender. Everything. And mean it. Praying continually doesn’t mean sitting down and uttering words, it means giving God your whole heart and keeping him in your thoughts. Whatever gifts you have been given in your life, surrender them. Whatever your goals in life, surrender them. Whatever you think you want to achieve, surrender it. Rather than Jesus being one part of your life, make him your whole life. Make Jesus an integral part of your family, even if not all of them believe as you do. Regardless of what you do for a living, make your faith in Jesus the first thing. Simply A.S.K. – Accept. Surrender. Keep at it. Evening Prayer Father, Please help me to surrender everything to you. I have been crucified with Christ, please help me to crucify my will and surrender it all to Jesus and to your Holy Spirit. I surrender everything to you. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Hebrews, Chapter 9 Now the first covenant had regulations for worship and also an earthly sanctuary. A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand and the table with its consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover. But we cannot discuss these things in detail now. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still functioning. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings — external regulations applying until the time of the new order. But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Otherwise Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him. Evening Reflection “It is finished” (John 19:30). How finished is it when God says this? Finished is the Greek word tetelestai, which means, “to complete, to accomplish, to fulfill, to bring to its intended goal, to pay in full.” When Jesus utters these words on the cross, he states a finality, a completion, and a final payment. Jesus completed a redemptive, restorative work and ransomed us to be a part of it. Meanwhile, we don’t operate within a finished world. Our environment constantly changes. Chaos regularly invades our lives. At least, this is the world we see, the temporal one. With faith in Christ, being born again, we’ve been translated into a finished work. Our lives are truly in heaven, hidden at the right hand of God in Jesus (Colossians 3). Hebrews 9 particularly focuses on the divine temple God called us into, of which the Old Testament structures were but a copy and shadow. The blood of Jesus cleansed and prepared the eternal temple and courts. His blood also cleansed us to minister within the pure and immortal tabernacle and intercede along with Christ the great High Priest. We’re already there. Scripture recognizes our struggle and pains in this life while calling us to anchor our souls in the eternal reality already present in heaven and one day to be revealed in full when he returns. For strength to endure today, let us cast our gazes upon what’s already been done. Evening Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank you that Jesus declared, “It is finished,” completing the work of redemption on our behalf. Help us anchor our hearts in the eternal reality of your Kingdom when chaos and suffering surround us. Remind us that through Christ’s blood you have cleansed us, welcomed us into your heavenly presence, and called us to serve as your holy people. Strengthen us to focus eyes of faith on what’s unseen and eternal rather than temporary and fading anyway. Let the finished work of Jesus give us peace, perseverance, and hope in the future you have for us in your Kingdom and glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Psalm, Chapter 130 Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. Evening Reflection Questions often dot our days, leaving us seeking answers. Why did this happen to me? When will this promise come to pass? What am I supposed to do? How can I keep going? Sometimes it seems as if there are too many questions and not enough answers. As it is, seeking God’s wisdom is not always quick or easy. Psalm 130, however, encourages us to wait in hope when the nightly whispers of “why, O Lord” become overwhelming, and no answer comes. The psalmist also voiced questions to God, wondering if He was listening. Reminding the Lord of his cries, the writer then speaks to himself. He touches upon the human tendency to forget the faithfulness and goodness of God, which is why he declares that he will wait expectantly for the Lord’s redemption – as expectantly as a watchman searching for the first glimmers of morning. He watches not because the darkness will last, but because the light will come. So it is with us. The same Lord who is overflowing with mercy and promises to redeem His people is the One we can rely on in our seasons of questioning and seeking. The “whys” and “what ifs” will likely continue to come to mind, especially in the quiet of evening. But when they do, we can speak to our doubts and fears: “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And I wait for His Word” (Psalm 130:5). Or, as the prophet Micah said, echoing the words of the psalmist, “But as for me, I will be on the watch for the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). The answers might not come as quickly as we want, but they will come as surely as the dawn. Let us watch and wait in hope. Evening Prayer Dear God, Every night I bring my questions to You, Lord, but night after night, I keep asking the same ones with no reply. Your Word tells me that You listen and hear my cries. Nothing goes unnoticed by You. Instead of focusing on the slowness of the answer’s coming (at least slow according to my standards), fix my eyes on Your faithfulness. Let me meditate on Your mercy, remembering the grace You have shown in forgiving my sins. You are the great Redeemer, and so I look to you and wait, trusting You will bring about the answers to my questions in Your perfect timing. Until then, I wait and watch, trusting that You will act. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture 1 Samuel, Chapter 16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?” Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.” So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.” So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.” One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. Evening Reflection If you are like many people, you have hopes, dreams, and desires living inside of you. These are things you would love to see happen in your life. Yet, as life progresses, it may seem as if the things you desire may never come to pass. Whether or not it does is God’s decision, but this chapter reminds us of the way God can change things in an instant. Before David was anointed to be king, he was not spending his time hoping for the opportunity to lead the nation of Israel. Instead, he was in the field faithfully tending his sheep. He was being faithful in the dark. Yet, it was from this place of obscurity that God anointed him to be king. Remember, Jesse didn’t even bother to get David when Samuel showed up, so even his own father did not see what God saw. However, God did not see just a young man who was tending the sheep. He saw a young man who had a heart that would run after him, and that is what God was after. Not too long after being anointed, David ended up serving in the king’s palace. Again, this was not his own doing but God’s hand at work. So what is the reflection in all of this? First, what are you doing outside the spotlight? So much of our lives unfold away from the public eye, yet those private moments often determine where God leads you and how God uses you. Simply put, do your best when no one sees because that shows your integrity and character. And those are qualities God desires in his people. The second thing to remember is you don’t have to fuss and fight to get to the places God wants you to be in. He has an amazing way of opening and closing the right doors at the right time. You don’t have to worry about how you will get there. Your primary focus should be on drawing close to God and following his heart. When you do that, he will make sure you arrive exactly where he wants you to be. I promise you it will happen right on time. Evening Prayer Lord, I bring all my desires, my longings, my hopes, and my dreams before you. Sometimes it feels like these things are taking too long and they will never happen. In these moments, help me not to fight against your timing to make them happen, but help me draw closer to you. As I bring my heart before you, help me not to be anxious, but to accept the season of preparation that I am in so that when you move, I am ready to stand in the places you have positioned me. Let me focus on doing my best when you are my only audience so that I will always please you when no one is watching. I surrender my heart and my future to you, knowing that you care and will always do what is for my good, and that you will always do it when the timing is right. Thank you for caring about my heart and for knowing I can trust you with it. Today, I recommit the plans for my life back into your hands. I pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Deuteronomy, Chapter 31 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the Lord said. And the Lord will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. The Lord will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the elders of Israel. Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles, when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people — men, women and children, and the foreigners residing in your towns — so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law. Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” The Lord said to Moses, “Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him.” So Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting. Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the cloud stood over the entrance to the tent. And the Lord said to Moses: “You are going to rest with your ancestors, and these people will soon prostitute themselves to the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant I made with them. And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide my face in that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods. “Now write down this song and teach it to the Israelites and have them sing it, so that it may be a witness for me against them. When I have brought them into the land flowing with milk and honey, the land I promised on oath to their ancestors, and when they eat their fill and thrive, they will turn to other gods and worship them, rejecting me and breaking my covenant. And when many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten by their descendants. I know what they are disposed to do, even before I bring them into the land I promised them on oath.” So Moses wrote down this song that day and taught it to the Israelites. The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” After Moses finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: “Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God. There it will remain as a witness against you. For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you have been rebellious against the Lord while I am still alive and with you, how much more will you rebel after I die! Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and all your officials, so that I can speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to testify against them. For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In days to come, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord and arouse his anger by what your hands have made.” And Moses recited the words of this song from beginning to end in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: Evening Reflection Life often offers us more than our fair share of opportunities to be strong and courageous. There are events, seasons, performances, appointments, milestones, life changes, and more that we face that are scary. It would be so much easier to just hide and stop doing life instead of moving forward through a scary and unknown future. The Israelites faced one of those dreaded scary life changes. Moses was old and his time of leading them was coming to an end. After years of relying on Moses' instruction and connection with God, the people had to say goodbye, embrace a new leader, and finally move into the promised land. Knowing their fear and apprehension, Moses charged them to be strong and courageous. He reminded them that God is with them and ultimately God is their true leader, not Moses. This passage is one I’ve returned to many times, receiving these words of encouragement just as the Israelites did so long ago. I am reminded that God does not desire me to live in fear. He wants me to go boldly into the future, trusting Him to walk with me through all of my days. This passage reminds me that new seasons are not necessarily bad seasons. Change may feel uncomfortable, but it is part of God’s plan. We grow through change and challenges. What I perceive as a difficulty, God may be using as an opportunity to grow a more rooted faith. As you end the day, meditate on Moses' encouragement. You do not have to be afraid of the day ahead; God has gone before you. You can let go of your anxiety, trusting that a new or challenging season can be navigated with peace and bravery. Evening Prayer Father, I thank you for going before me and always being with me. Help me follow the instructions Moses gave to be strong and courageous. I am telling my soul to be brave and trust you. Help me to let go of my anxiety and walk with peace. Let your grace be sufficient for tomorrow. I will not worry about tomorrow because I know your mercies are new every morning. Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Evening Scripture Revelation, Chapter 7 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel. From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000, from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000, from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000, from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000. After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God for ever and ever. Amen!” Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes — who are they, and where did they come from?” I answered, “Sir, you know.” And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Evening Reflection Spoiler alert. We know the end of the story. My wife likes lighthearted books to read, nothing too serious or sad. When I suggest a book to read, she asks me, “Does anyone die at the end?” It might tell you the kind of books I like. A bad ending can ruin a book or movie. The ending of Stephen King’s It is famous for the dumb ending, how a thousand pages or more led to … that? The final seasons of Game of Thrones and Stranger Things greatly disappointed fans. Predictable mysteries make us groan with almost physical pain. In a story, it’s important to get the ending right. Great endings make us want to rewatch or reread the movie or book. God’s telling a story, through us to eternal beings, showing his glory and wisdom through redeeming a people (Ephesians 3:10). The Bible reveals the arc from Genesis and tells us the end of the story. But it’s not a spoiler. We need to know or else we would give up. We would fall into despair in such a dark and evil world. Revelation 7 reveals what we wait for. What we’ve been saved for. The secure hope we have in a God who has prepared a Kingdom of light, love, healing, fullness, and joy. One that will never end. This hope gives us peace and an anchor in the midst of troubles and chaos. A hope that will not disappoint. May we rest today in our future hope. Evening Prayer Heavenly Father, Thank you for revealing the end of the story. When darkness and suffering surround me, anchor my heart in the hope you have promised us. Help me remember your Kingdom of light, healing, joy, and peace is coming to earth, I will be a part of it, and it will never end. Strengthen my faith when I get weary due to present troubles. Keep my eyes on you and your covenant. Fill me with confidence that your plans will succeed and your redemption will reveal and celebrate your glory forever. Give me the eternal perspective to have courage, peace, and perseverance today. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Want More? Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.