Commitment is measured by perseverance. One who is truly committed to the Lord will persevere in faithfully following the Lord through much discouragement, opposition, and discomfort. The apostle Paul’s example challenges us to greater commitment.
We cannot be effective servants of God if we do not humbly acknowledge our need for Him, guard our relationship with Him, and become careful students of His Word. Paul's example is a model and inspiration to us.
As Christians, our works should be a shining example to others. But it is only the gospel of Jesus Christ that can change lives, destinies, and even cultures.
Effective ministry involves teamwork. Paul is known as the greatest missionary of the early church, but Paul did not work alone. He had the assistance and support of a growing network of fellow workers.
We should never be intimidated by the arguments or actions of people who oppose the gospel of Christ. Such responses come only from people; the truth we proclaim comes from God. When we faithfully speak His Word, He will use it for His glory.
When we are committed to following the Lord by faith, we will face new challenges but also new opportunities and new people to whom we can minister. And through it all, we will see the grace of God at work. These truths are highlighted in Acts 16.
Disagreements can be very difficult, but they can also clarify issues for us and even open new avenues of service. Acts 15 describes two significant disagreements within the early church--one involves a doctrinal issue and the other a ministry issue.
While sharing the gospel with those who desperately need to hear it is God-honoring and rewarding, it can also be dangerous. This is why we need to depend on the Lord and remind ourselves that serving Him is not about our comfort but about His glory.
There can be no substitute for the forthright, faithful proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul's sermon in Acts 13 is the standard for what our message to the world should be, and it is centered on the death and resurrection of Christ.
Where there is consistent obedience to the Lord and proclaiming His gospel, there is always opposition. And behind all opposition to the gospel is Satan. We need the wisdom of God's Word to recognize his attacks and the boldness of God's Spirit to respond properly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
