See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

This proverb arose in the fourteenth century: “Time and tide wait for no man.” Tide suggests the rising and falling of the ocean’s tides. But in early English tide referred to seasons or periods of time (think yuletide referring to Christmas). So the proverb might best be understood as “Time and seasons wait for no man.”

The point of the proverb is obvious: Time is an unrelenting reality that cannot be stopped, delayed, reversed, lengthened, or shortened. As you are reading this devotional, the clock of your life is ticking. You are closer to the completion of your time on earth at this moment than you were when you woke up this morning. So when Paul wrote, “[Redeem] the time,” he was conscious of the precious nature of time. We should take advantage of every day, month, and year and treat them as gifts of God. We should use our time wisely, knowing we will never get back time that has passed.

Prayerfully consider how you can best use the coming year. Once passed, it can never be replaced.

If you die wrong the first time, you cannot come back to die better a second time. Robert Murray M’Cheyne

Building Your Future Home with Care – Ephesians 5:15-21 – Skip Heitzig

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:38

Today’s Devotional

In ad 155, the early church father Polycarp was threatened with death by fire for his faith in Christ. He replied, “For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?” Polycarp’s response can be an inspiration for us when we face extreme trial because of our faith in Jesus, our King.

Just hours before Christ’s death, Peter boldly pledged His allegiance to Him: “I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37). Jesus, who knew Peter better than Peter knew himself, replied, “Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (v. 38). However, after Jesus’ resurrection, the same one who’d denied Him began to serve Him courageously and would eventually glorify Him through his own death (see 21:16-19).

Are you a Polycarp or a Peter? Most of us, if we’re honest, are more of a Peter with a “courage outage”—a failure to speak or act honorably as a believer in Jesus. Such occasions—whether in a classroom, boardroom, or breakroom—needn’t indelibly define us. When those failures occur, we must prayerfully dust ourselves off and turn to Jesus, the one who died for us and lives for us. He’ll help us be faithful to Him and courageously live for Him daily in difficult places.  

Reflect & Pray

When do you need extra doses of courage to stand for Jesus? What do you find helpful in your witness for Him?

Heavenly Father, please give me Your strength to live boldly as a believer in Your Son.

Learn about being on guard against persecution here.

Today’s Insights

In John 13:36-38, Jesus is focused on Simon Peter and his need for courage in the hours and days ahead. The gracious warning He gives to him (v. 38) should’ve gotten the fisherman’s attention, but rather than leaning into the strength of the Master, Peter sought to face those hours in his own strength. Even in the moment when he seemed to be desperately trying to keep his promise to “lay down [his life] for” Christ” (v. 37)—by cutting off the ear of Malchus, servant of the High Priest (John 18:10)—his attempt failed, and he ran away with the other disciples (Mark 14:50). Only in God’s strength can we stand firm and have courage in difficult times and places. Peter would exhibit that courage when confronted by the religious leaders for preaching in Jesus’ name. At that moment, even they had to acknowledge the influence of Christ on His once-fallen, now-restored disciple (Acts 4:13). His influence in our life can also help us face life’s challenges with courageous faith.

God generously gives wisdom—all we have to do is ask James 1:5-8

Wisdom is one of the most important tools in times of trial. And James 1:5 says God will give it generously when we ask.

However, there are times when wisdom doesn’t feel easy to acquire—for example, when God allows a test in our life after we’ve asked Him to make us wise. He may permit a challenge because temptations and difficulty can help us discover our level of devotion to Him. When we go through a time of testing, we learn whether we’re willing to say, “God, I don’t like this or understand it, but I’m going to obey You no matter what.” It’s hard to know for sure whether we would respond this way unless we go through difficulties that put our faith to the proof.

In fact, we grow in our devotion to the Lord by making wise decisions despite opposition and by obeying regardless of temptation or inconvenience. Such challenges are similar to a refiner’s fire: They sanctify and purify us (Job 23:10). These situations not only reveal what God is doing in us; they can also point out ways we might be trying to ignore the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Allowing God to do His work positions us to receive blessings, see His power, and feel His love in new ways. This is not only a way to become wise; it’s also the pathway to great joy.

“And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)

Asa was one of the better kings of Judah (great-grandson of Solomon), and his prayer is a beautiful model of how a servant of God can pray when all the human odds are against him. Asa’s army consisted of 580,000 foot soldiers, whereas the invading Ethiopians had a million-man army with 300 chariots. Yet “the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa” (2 Chronicles 14:8–9, 12), and his prayer prevailed.

The Bible has many such examples: Abraham (Genesis 14:1–16); Gideon (Judges 7:7; 8:10); King Hezekiah (2 Kings 19:14, 19, 35). Before King Saul gained a great victory over the hordes of the Philistines, it was the courageous testimony of Jonathan, his son, that led the way. “It may be that the LORD will work for us,” he had said, “for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few” (1 Samuel 14:6). Later, David won many battles against all odds, including his personal victory over Goliath (1 Samuel 17:40–49). The servants of the Lord do not need a majority to prevail in the battle against sin and Satan, for “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). That is the key, of course. We must not beseech the Lord to fight on our side. He will be for us if we are first on His side!

This was the message of the prophet Azariah to the godly King Asa: “The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2). Political power, military might, financial resources—all are futile. “Our help is in the name of the LORD” (Psalm 124:8). HMM

“And he said, Certainly I will be with thee.” Exod. 3:12

Of course, if the Lord sent Moses on an errand, He would not let him go alone. The tremendous risk which it would involve, and the great power it would require, would render it ridiculous for God to send a poor lone Hebrew to confront the mightiest king in all the world, and then leave him to himself. It could not be imagined that a wise God would match poor Moses with Pharaoh and the enormous forces of Egypt. Hence He says, “Certainly I will be with thee,” as if it were out of the question that He would send him alone.

In my case, also, the same rule will hold good. If I go upon the Lord’s errand, with a simple reliance upon His power, and a single eye to His glory, it is certain that He will be with me. His sending me binds Him to back me up. Is not this enough? What more can I want? If all the angels and archangels were with me, I might fail; but if HE is with me, I must succeed. Only let me take care that I act worthily toward this promise. Let me not go timidly, half-heartedly, carelessly, presumptuously. What manner of person ought he to be who has God with him! In such company it behoveth me to play the man, and like Moses go in unto Pharaoh without fear.

Micah 4

Micah also came forward to support Isaiah’s testimony. Quite a company of holy seers shone forth like stars in the evening of Judah’s history. In the chapter which we are about to read, Micah’s far-seeing eye beheld the Lord Jesus in the glory of the latter days.

Micah 4:1, 2

God reserves his best things to the last. In Messiah’s days the true faith and the true church will have wide dominion; that which the material temple typified shall be fully revealed and reverenced far and wide.

Micah 4:4

For this unbroken peace we sigh; it will not come by means of civilisation, commerce and moral advancement: Jesus alone is the world’s Peacemaker.

Micah 4:7

From the poor relics of the Jewish nation we have received the gospel, and so in a spiritual sense mount Zion triumphs in her reigning Lord.

Micah 4:9, 10

Jerusalem was troubled sorely, but good would come of it; the people would be carried into Babylon, but God would deliver them. While Jesus lives, his church is safe.

Micah 4:11, 12

Faith beholds her enemies as sheaves for her to thresh, and by divine help she treads them down. We are more than conquerors, through our loving God.

No strife shall vex Messiah’s reign

Or mar those peaceful years;

To ploughshares men shall beat their swords,

To pruning-hooks their spears.

No longer hosts encountering hosts,

Their millions slain deplore;

They hang the trumpet in the hall,

And study war no more.

Come, then! oh come from every land,

To worship at his shrine,

And, walking in the light of God,

With holy beauties shine.

Thy word have I hid in mine heart. Psalm 119:11

What a strange paradox! The atheistic freethinker rants and raves about the Bible being a “dangerous” book at the very same time that the Word of God is speaking life to my soul!

Strange indeed that some humans have the idea that the Word of God can only be approached with shivering fears. But that is true only of those who love their sin and hate their Savior.

The blessed truth is that if I hate my sin and love my Savior, the Word of God is a wonderful revelation, indeed, and a trustworthy guide.

We need to be aware always that if we do not keep the Word of God on our side, we will be miserable in our souls continually. It is up to us. What do we sincerely will to do with God and His revealed Word?

Years ago, the saintly George Mueller said he had read the Bible hundreds of times, and then he added: “with meditation!”

Let us see to it that we read the Word. More than that, we should actually explore it!

Thank You, Lord, for giving us Your Word. I pray that it will not only illuminate my own heart, but I pray for those translating the Word into other languages so that it will illumine theirs as well.

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven. Matthew 6:19-20

In 2013, a hard drive belonging to a man in Wales was accidentally thrown away and ended up in a landfill. The man quickly realized the mistake. But he has been unable to retrieve the hard drive, which contained the digital keys necessary to access his investment in cryptocurrency which, as of today, is worth almost $800 million! Sadly, this is irredeemable by him without the digital keys on the discarded hard drive, and so far, the courts have refused to allow him to dig up the landfill or buy it outright. His treasure remains lost.

Jesus warned His followers about accumulating treasures on earth where moths, rust, and thieves—and lost hard drives—can result in those treasures being destroyed. Instead, He advised accumulating a different kind of treasure—treasures in heaven that will last forever. Since we are citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20), we should accumulate our treasures there.

Only two things on earth will last forever: souls and the Word of God. Investments made in those will become treasures in heaven.

We must read our Bibles, like men digging for hidden treasure. J. C. Ryle

Material Management | Matthew 6:19-34 | Gary Hamrick

I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. Psalm 119:32 nkjv

Today’s Devotional

In his Confessions, Augustine wrestled with how it was possible for God to be in relationship with him. How could the one who created the universe come into something as small and sinful as his heart? But he pleaded with God to make it possible, praying, “The house of my soul is narrow. Enlarge it, so that you may enter it. It’s in ruins! Repair it! It has things in it that would offend your eyes. I confess and know it. But who will cleanse it, or to whom will I cry, but to you?”

Today we know Augustine as Saint Augustine, a revered philosopher and theologian. But he saw himself simply as someone transformed by the wonder of a God who wanted to know him.

In Psalm 119, the psalmist is also in awe of God’s revelation of Himself, particularly through Scripture (v. 18). “You shall enlarge my heart” (v. 32 nkjv), the psalmist celebrated. It’s only because God is graciously willing to enlarge our hearts that we can joyfully walk the path He shows us (v. 45). He turns our hearts away from what is corrupt (vv. 36-37) to the “path of [His] commands,” where we find His infinite “delight” (v. 35).

We are small, and our hearts are fickle. But when we turn our longing hearts to God (vv. 34, 36), He guides us down the paths of joy and true freedom.

Reflect & Pray

How has God “enlarged” Your heart? Where might you need to ask Him to bring growth?

Dear God, thank You for opening my heart to Your greatness. Please enlarge my heart today and every day.

Despite being the creator of the whole universe, God also desires to be in relationship with us. Learn more by watching this video.

Today’s Insights

The image of “walking” is one of Scripture’s most common metaphors for describing someone’s lifestyle—whether in close fellowship with God (see Genesis 5:24; 6:9; Psalm 1:1; 15:1-2) or in opposition to Him (Proverbs 4:14; 1 John 1:6). Psalm 119 begins with this metaphor, emphasizing that “those . . . who walk according to the law of the Lord” are blessed (v. 1). The psalm paints a vivid picture of what it looks like to walk closely with God through immersion in and obedience to Scripture. In verse 32, this imagery intensifies as the psalmist shifts from describing walking to running—suggesting not just steady obedience but an eager pursuit of God’s ways. Unlike those whose feet “rush into evil” (see Proverbs 1:16; 6:18), the psalmist in Psalm 119:32 runs in joyful freedom down the path of God’s commands, liberated by His grace and captivated by His beauty.

Since God promises to bring good from our trials, we can face them with His peace and joy James 1:2-4

Have you ever wondered, Why would a loving heavenly Father allow His children to go through trials and sorrow? It can be baffling when the all-powerful God of love seems to stand by silently while painful things happen.

The Word of God is the place we can find an answer. Even so, today’s reading can be hard to understand or accept. One might read James’s exhortation to be joyful in the face of trials and think, Count me out! Difficulties and joy just don’t seem to go together—that is, unless we understand God’s perspective of what life is about.

In speaking about joy, James isn’t referring to a cheery, temporary feeling. Rather, he is talking about an inner sense of calmness, peace, and confidence in the Lord. He’s not telling us to feel happy about our trials but to know, as we go through them, that God is up to something good in our life. Our attitude during the struggle will determine what shape we’re in once we come out on the other side.

When our faith is tested, the end result is endurance; being aware of this gives us hope and strength. What’s more, the Bible promises God will use trials for our good (Romans 5:3-5), so there’s no need to be afraid or anxious.