It is easy to miss God's work in the world because we are focused too much on the world--its values, expectations, and temptations. To follow Jesus is to serve and sacrifice for others, not elevate ourselves at the expense of others.
We cannot fully grasp God's grace without understanding the depth of our own sin and unworthiness. This is true for unbelievers in need of salvation, as well as followers of Christ, who walk by faith.
It is critical that we have a firm grasp of the Bible's teaching on the family so that we can resist challenges both from the world and from professing Christians. Jesus' own responses to such challenges demonstrate some biblical priorities in family matters.
Prayer is not just a helpful exercise for believers. Persistent, humble, faith-filled prayer is a reflection of one's relationship with the Lord and a necessity for everyone who seeks to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus taught us to look forward to His coming and the establishment of His righteous kingdom on earth. At the same time, we should warn unbelievers of the judgment that will accompany His return and urge them to believe in Christ and not make faulty assumptions.
Gratitude is a mark of a follower of Christ. We should never cease to recall God's past work in our lives, as well as His continuing work, and praise Him for it all.
The death of Jesus' friend Lazarus provides an amazing opportunity for the Lord to present the truth of who He is. This truth exposes the hearts of people as they choose to either acknowledge Him as the Son of God or obstinately reject Him in the face of undeniable proof.
Following the Lord Jesus means directing our lives away from ourselves and toward God and others. Humility, integrity, forgiveness, faithfulness, and selfless service should characterize our lives.
Outward circumstances have nothing to do with a person’s eternal destiny. All people must personally respond in faith to the gospel of Christ. That gospel is available to them in the Bible, as we simply present it to them and allow the Word to do its convicting work.
Marriage is not easy. And it becomes extremely difficult when serious sin enters the picture. For believers, is divorce an option; and if so, under what circumstances? We need to look to the Bible for God's instruction concerning this challenging issue.
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.
In Psalm 56, Stephen Davey portrays David as “flying in the dark,” surrounded by danger and fear but learning to trust God’s Word as his instrument panel. Hiding in Gath—the hometown of Goliath—David faced overwhelming threats, yet confessed, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” Davey emphasizes that faith and fear often coexist; trusting God doesn’t remove fear but steadies the heart in it. He draws three principles from the psalm: God’s Word is always relevant and reliable in trouble, God Himself is fully aware of every step and sleepless night, and God is compassionate, collecting every tear in His bottle. Davey explains that just as ancient people kept tear bottles to express sorrow, God lovingly keeps record of every believer’s tears—proof that no pain is unnoticed. He concludes that one day, God will empty those bottles forever, wiping away every tear. Until then, believers can rest in His presence, knowing He sees, cares, and sustains them through every trial.
