The marvelous book of Revelation is a prophetic vision of things to come. This first chapter makes it clear that at the center of God's plan for now, for the future, for eternity is Jesus Christ, who is presented to us in a glorious vision that emphasizes His divine attributes.
As we face real threats to our Christian faith, our foremost duty is to live consistent, balanced, God-honoring lives. This requires guarding our relationship with the Lord even as we point others to how they can know the Lord as well.
We are called to fight for and preserve the faith--the truth taught in God's Word. But victory requires that we know our enemies--their teaching, character, and motivations. Jude informs us of these matters and also warns us that enemies will arise within the church itself.
The short letter of 3 John shows how we can be involved in God's work in the world by faithfully supporting others in their mission for Christ. It also encourages us not to listen to or join in with the critics but instead focus on doing good for the Lord's sake.
In the book of 2 John, we see the heart of John the apostle as revealed in a private letter that also happened to be God's letter to all believers. In it we are reminded of two intertwined obligations for us as Christians: to walk in truth and to walk in love.
In a world of increasing uncertainty, the apostle John offers absolute certainty on three key issues: our standing with God, Jesus' identity as our fully divine and fully human Savior, and our sure salvation in Him. We can stand on these truths with confidence and joy.
False teaching is all around us, and it is seductive and dangerous. In our passage for today, John reminds us how to recognize it. He then gives us some of the most definitive statements on God’s love that we will find anywhere.
In today's passage, John drives home the amazing truth that God calls us His very own children. He then gives us three areas in which this truth should impact our lives on a daily basis.
The apostle John speaks not only of the coming Antichrist, but also of "antichrists" present right now--people who have left the faith and are working against Christ, even seeking to replace Him. With the Spirit's counsel through God's Word, we need not be taken in by them.
In today's passage, the apostle John gives us both assurances and warnings. We are assured of God's absolute forgiveness and faithfulness, but we are cautioned to avoid tying ourselves to the ungodly world around us.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
Psalm 19:8b–14 teaches that God’s Word is flawless, enduring, and deeply valuable—more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Unlike the temporary treasures of this world, Scripture enlightens the heart, exposes sin, renews fellowship with God, and guides believers in righteousness. David celebrates the Bible as a timeless revelation that cleanses, corrects, and delights those who cherish it, reminding readers to treasure and obey God’s Word as their greatest source of wisdom and joy.
