There is something remarkable about the way God works.
He often reveals his heart in places where no one else bothers to look.
While people chase after status, recognition, and places of influence, the Lord leans into the forgotten corners of life.
He goes where the hurting are, where the broken gather, and where the rejected dwell.
And it is there among the outcasts that his love shines brightest.
This is beautifully captured in Mark 2 :15-17.
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples.
For there were many who followed him.
When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
That is the essence of the gospel.
It reminds us that God is not afraid of our mess.
God is not intimidated by our failures.
God is not repelled by our brokenness.
Instead, God draws near.
God sits with us.
God calls us his own.
And this is exactly why I love God.
Because while people may measure worthiness by success, morality, or appearance, the Lord looks deeper.
He makes it his mission to pursue those who feel unworthy, unseen, or unloved.
Where others see shame, he sees a soul worth saving.
Where others see hopelessness, he sees a story ready to be redeemed.
The truth is, none of us deserve what he gives.
We do not deserve eternal life, yet he offers it freely.
We cannot earn his great love, yet he pours it out without measure.
We have not earned his grace, yet his grace continues to be more than enough.
And though we fall short of his glory, his mercy covers us day by day.
The book of Lamentations 3: verses 22 and 23 proclaims, "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness. "
Every sunrise is proof that God has not given up on us.
Every new day is a reminder that his mercy has not run out.
No matter what yesterday looked like, his mercy is still waiting for us when we open our eyes in the morning.
Yet life is never just sunshine and roses.
It is a mixture of highs and lows, joy and sorrow.
At times, life feels like an endless tug of war between victories and defeats, laughter and tears, love and heartbreak.
No one escapes hardship.
Every person, no matter how strong or faithful, will walk through seasons where the weight feels unbearable.
Pain becomes a language we all understand.
David, the shepherd boy turned king, knew this reality well.
In Psalm 119 verse 71, he confessed, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes, it takes spiritual maturity to see affliction as good."
But David understood that pain had a purpose.
Trials are not wasted in the hands of God.
They become classrooms where he teaches us, chisels us, and draws us closer to himself.
While comfort might make us complacent, hardship makes us desperate for his presence.
And that desperation often births deeper faith.
The Lord cares more about who we are becoming than whether we are always comfortable.
His eyes are not fixed on giving us a problem-free life, but on shaping our character, strengthening our faith, and refining our hearts.
In fact, I would say that God is more invested in the condition of your sou than in the fleeting happiness of your circumstances.
This is not telling us to enjoy pain for its own sake.
It is reminding us that there is a hidden treasure within trials.
The testing of our faith produces something eternal.
It gives birth to endurance.
And endurance produces maturity, wisdom, and peace.
Without the storm, we would never learn how to anchor ourselves in Christ.
Without the fire, we would never see what impurities need to be burned away.
Without the valley, we, sheep, would never realize how much we need the shepherd to guide us.
So when you face difficulties, know that they are not pointless.
They are opportunities for God to prove himself faithful.
They are moments for your faith to grow roots, deeper.
They are seasons where if you hold fast, you will emerge stronger, wiser, and more dependent on God than ever before.
So what should we do with all of this?
We should hold on tightly to the promises of God.
When you feel rejected, remember that Jesus sat at the table with outcasts and called them his friends.
When you feel unworthy, remind yourself that his mercy is new every morning.
When you feel crushed by trials, cling to the truth that affliction produces growth.
And when you feel like giving up, return to God's word that assures you he will never leave nor forsake you.
The Lord who stepped into Levi's house still steps into our broken homes today.
The Savior who embraced sinners still embraces us, no matter our past.
The God who allowed affliction in David's life still allows it in ours, but always with a purpose, to grow us, to refine us, and to lead us into deeper intimacy with him.
That is who he is.
The God who goes where others will not go.
The savior who calls the forgotten by name.
The Lord who uses even trials to shape us into vessels of his glory.
So if your life feels bright, give thanks and stay close to him.
If your life feels heavy, trust that he is with you in the storm.
If your faith feels tested, remember that it is producing endurance.
And through it all, keep your eyes on
Jesus Christ.
Now let's take a moment to pray 🙏
together.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of another day.
Thank you for life, for breath, and for the moment to walk once again in your grace.
I thank you for your mercies that are new every morning.
Each sunrise is a reminder that you have not forsaken me.
Your love carries me.
Your mercy covers me. and your grace sustains me.
Lord, I give you all glory for being who you are.
Father, as I step into this day, I ask that you strengthen my heart.
You know the burdens I carry and the silent battles I face.
You see what weighs heavily on my mind.
So Lord, I pray that the Holy Spirit would strengthen my faith today.
Holy Spirit, whisper to me, guide me, and remind me that when the troubles of life begin to overwhelm me, I am never alone.
Remind me that I have a friend in Jesus, a savior who never leaves nor forsakes his children.
When my problems are many and I feel surrounded by challenges, remind me, Lord, that I can run into the arms of Jesus Christ and find refuge.
When my heart is weary and my soul longs for rest, lead me to the one who promised, "come to me all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "
Thank you, Father, that I serve a living God.
One who is not powerless, but one who carries my burdens and gives me peace that surpasses all understanding.
Lord, I acknowledge that you are all powerful.
There is nothing beyond your reach.
There is no problem too complicated for you to solve.
No sickness too strong for you to heal.
No mountain too high for you to move.
And no wall too strong for you to tear down.
You still move mountains.
You still calm storms.
You still cause walls to falI.
And for that I am grateful, Lord.
You are the same yesterday, today, and forever more.
Father, I thank you that you loved me first, even when I was far from you.
Your love reached me before I ever knew how much I needed it.
And today, I ask that you give me the strength to rise up every day and face the struggles that try to weigh me down.
Give me courage when fear whispers.
Give me hope when despair tries to creep in.
Lord, I lift up your holy name.
For you are the God of the impossible.
There is no challenge too great for you to overcome.
There is no situation too hopeless that you cannot redeem.
When I feel weak, Lord, let your strength be made perfect in my weakness.
Teach me to lean not on my own understanding, but to trust fully in your word.
Let your Spirit lift me when I stumble and remind me that in Christ Jesus' I am victorious.
Let me never forget that your grace is sufficient and that your power works best when I have no strength of my own.
Father, today I bring before you my burdens and my weariness.
You know the pain that cannot be spoken, the tears that fall in silence, and the fears that hide in the corners of my mind
Lord, I surrender them to you now.
Help me not to fear, but to trust in you completely.
Help me not to give in to discouragement, but to rejoice in you always, knowing that joy in you is my strength.
Holy Spirit, help me never to take for granted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.
May I always be thankful, even in the little things, for every blessing is a gift from you.
Lord, I declare today that my faith is not in my own ability, but in your promises.
I declare that you are faithful to fulfill every word you have spoken.
I trust that you will fight for me and that victory belongs to you.
You are mighty, you are powerful, you are righteous, and you are true.
And so, Lord, I bless your holy name.
Your word says in Psalm 121, "The Lord shall preserve you from all evil. He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth and even forever more."
Father, I hold on to that promise today.
I confess by faith that you are my keeper, the one who watches over my life.
I declare that no evil shall befall me, no plague shall come near my dwelling, and no weapon formed against me shall prosper.
Jehovah Jireh, my provider, I trust that you will supply all my needs according to your riches in glory.
Jehovah Nissi*¹, my banner, I know that you go before me in battle and give me victory.
Jehovah Shalom*², my peace.
I rest in the calm assurance of your presence.
Lord, I declare that evil will not touch me or my household because you are the God who preserves my coming in and my going out, both now and forever more.
You are my shepherd, guiding me through valleys and leading me beside still waters.
You are my light when the world feels dark.
You are my hope when the future feels uncertain.
You are my rock when everything else feels shaky.
Lord, may your name be glorified in my life, in my family, and in everything I do.
And so today, I pray that the words I have spoken will be established in the name of Jesus Christ.
I believe, Lord, that as I pray, you are moving.
I believe that you are working behind the scenes, arranging things for my good and turning what the enemy meant for evil into something good.
Thank you, Father, for hearing this prayer.
Thank you that when l call on you, you listen.
Thank you that when I cry, you hear.
And thank you that when l ask, you answer according to your perfect will.
I lift this prayer to you with a heart full of faith and gratitude.
May everything I do today bring honor to your name.
May my life reflect your glory.
And may your presence go with me everywhere I walk.
In the precious and powerful name of Jesus Christ, I pray 🙏.
Amen.
Respected visitor and reader,
If this prayer has touched your heart, please say amen as a sign of faith.
I pray that every blessing in this prayer is now upon you in the name of Jesus Christ.
And if you need a special prayer, feel free to share here. We would be honored to pray for you.
May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always. Amen.
Notes
*¹ The Meaning of Jehovah Nissi and the Significance of God's Name for Today
“And Moses built an altar and named it ‘The LORD is my Banner.” -Exodus 17:15
We are introduced to the Hebrew name, Jehovah Nissi, in the story of the Israelites and Moses while wandering in the wilderness. Moses was the first one to call upon the Lord Jehovah Nissi in Exodus 17.
When Israel faced the Amalekites in battle at Rephidim it wasn’t with overwhelming force, an experienced army, or the best commanders. It was as a transient tribe of herdsmen escaping slavery in Egypt and travelling uncertainly to a promised land they hadn’t seen in over four hundred years. They were trespassers travelling through the lands of fierce fighting peoples. They travelled with women, children, herds, and all their possessions. The battle was for survival, for hope, for a future.
But they travelled with something else too, something else that no other nation on earth had – a pillar of fire, a cloud of smoke, the very presence of God. Israel did not fight its battles alone. No matter how inexperienced or overmatched they were they were never the underdogs. No matter how desperate they felt they were never at a loss. The great general, the perfect protector, the LORD was with them. The very name used in Scripture is Jehovah Nissi - "the Lord is my banner". Moses experienced both physical and spiritual victory with the Lord's banner waving over the battle.
The Lord Was with Israel in Battle
As the armies lined up to do battle, the men of Israel, under the command of a freshly appointed general, named Joshua, could have looked up to a nearby peak and seen three figures – Moses, Aaron, and Hur - standing there overlooking the battle. When the first battle cry sounded and the foes engaged, none of the combatants had time to look. But Moses, the middle of the three figures, raised his hands over the battle, and when he did, Israel began to take the upper hand.
But, as the day wore on and the sun rose high and hot, Moses tired. He was not a young man and the battle wore on; Moses sagged and dropped his arms to his side. Immediately, the Amalekites rallied and began to press the Israelites. Aaron and Hur realized what was happening and stepped to Moses’s side; they dragged a small boulder close for him to sit on and each took an arm and raised them again over the battle. As they did this, the Israelite fighters rallied to Joshua, found new strength, and the Amalekites felt new fear.
God Showed the Nation that He Conquered on Their Behalf - "My Banner" Jehovah Nissi
Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, Aaron and Hur supported Moses’s arms. They lifted him as he lifted the people before God. The people of Israel prevailed in battle that day. It was a day to remember, for it was the day God first showed them as a nation that He fought for them, that He led them in to battle, that He protected and conquered on their behalf, and that He was their banner.
The question arises, though, what does it mean for God to be our banner? When Moses names the altar, “Jehovah Nissi – The LORD is my banner,” we know it is significant. We know it is for remembrance, but what else is it, and what does it mean for God to be our banner today? Consider how banners are used, and it will begin to reveal some of what this title means.
Banners are raised to celebrate and honor.
They hang from the rafters of arenas honoring champions. They are raised to honor soldiers returning from war. They adorn public places to celebrate occasions or people who deserve honor.
Banners are to remember and commemorate. Towns all over the country raise banners on certain holidays every year to commemorate something dear to them – a patron, a product, a hero, a tradition, a holy day.
Banners are labels and signets. They announce names and images which people can recognize from a great distance. They show the location and identity of a business or event so people can navigate to it.
Banners are visible.
The whole point of a banner is to be seen, unmistakable and un-ignorable.
Banners are for those who raise them. They are an act of celebration, remembrance, or announcement.
Banners are for those who see them. They are an invitation and a gathering place. They summon and call. They attract passers by.
As you consider all this, you may see how God is the banner—Jehovah Nissi—of all who believe, all who are His followers, all who trust Him with the same faith Moses, Aaron, Hur, and Joshua trusted.
How God is Our Banner - Jehovah Nissi Still Today
God is our banner because we live to celebrate and honor His faithfulness to us, shown in myriad ways, from the rising sun to the risen Christ. God is our banner because we remember all His deeds and His words graciously given to us in scripture. God is our banner because He gives us identity, and our label is “God’s children,” because of the saving work of Jesus. God is our banner because we are his representatives to the world, making Him visible and showing the beauty of His transforming work. God is our banner because all of this is an invitation, a gravitational pull, a summons, a tug to any who would believe but do not yet know what that means or how to do so.
The Lord Is My Banner and We Are the Lord's
When Moses built the altar and called it, “The LORD is my banner,” he was creating a place of remembrance, a celebration of victory, an expression of thanks. He was making a declaration, one that any follower of Jesus can share in today: The LORD is my banner and we are the LORD’s. It was a declaration not just of who God is and what He has done, but of who were as His people.
A Prayer to Jehovah Nissi
Lord, help me to recognize the spiritual warfare around me and to be aware of the enemies battle tactics. Give me the strength to fight while flying your banner over it all to claim victory. You are my Jehovah Nissi and I thank you for the brothers and sisters in Christ who will raise your banner with me. This victory belongs to you and we lift your name high in the face of both physical and spiritual attacks from satan. You have sovereign authority in all. Thank you that we can follow you with full assurance. Amen.
*²
Strength Bible Verses
Bible Verses about Strength: Top Scriptures for Encouragement
There are many Bible verses about strength for when you feel tired, weak, and overwhelmed by the storms of life. In the Psalms, we read the beautiful promise that: "The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust" (Psalm 18:2). This passage reminds us that we can find strength in God and rely on Him in times of need.
In the Gospels, we read about Jesus's strength when He voluntarily endured the agony of the Cross to save mankind. Jesus's story teaches us that strength isn't just physical and involves courage, patience, and faith. Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of our strength from relying on God, trusting in His will, and having faith in His love for us. No matter what difficulties we face in life, we can draw on the strength of God to get through them.
If you are looking for Bible verses about strength, here is a collection of our favorite Scriptures that provide comfort and encouragement. Read and meditate on these verses to discover how great and mighty our God is and how he wants to provide for you. Memorize God's promises in the Holy Bible so you can call on them in times of need!
Here are the ten most popular Bible verses about strength to encourage and uplift you when feeling weak. Know that our true power and strength come from God!
Top Bible Verses about Strength
2 Corinthians 12:9 - “My grace is all you need, for my power is the greatest when you are weak.”
Psalm 73:26 - "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Nehemiah 8:10 - "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Isaiah 40:31 - But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 41:10 - Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Exodus 15:2 - The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
1 Chronicles 16:11 - Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually!
Ephesians 6:10 - Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
Exodus 15:2 - The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.
Print these and keep them with you throughout the day to remember God's love and peace in your life.
Read more Bible verses about strength in the collection of scriptures below:
Deuteronomy 31:6
Isaiah 40:31
Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:13
Jeremiah 32:17
2 Timothy 1:7
Psalm 59:16
Deuteronomy 20:4
Exodus 14:14
Exodus 15:2
Ephesians 6:10
Joshua 1:9
Psalm 119:28
Proverbs 31:25
1 Corinthians 16:13
2 Corinthians 1:7
Isaiah 40:29
2 Thessalonians 3:2
Jehovah
Shalom
mean?
Jehovah Shalom
Jehovah Shalom means “The
Lord is Peace” or “The Lord Is
Our Peace.” It is one of the
many names for God in the
Bible.
We find it in Judges 6:24 in
connection with the story of
Gideon.
Jehovah Shalom and Gideon
The book of Judges tells of
the days when the children of
Israel were just settling into
the “Promised Land.” The
surrounding peoples resisted
the Israelites moving in. And
the Israelites, themselves,
found it difficult to always
trust God and remain faithful
to Him.
Too often, they let their pagan
neighbors lead them into
idolatry and turn them away
from serving the God of
heaven. As Judges 21:25 says,
“In those days there was no
king in Israel; everyone did
what was right in his own
eyes.”
From time to time, a leader—
called a “judge”— would arise
to call the people back to
God. But before long, the
Israelites would turn again to
the false gods of the people
around them.
Because of their sins, they
forfeited God’s protecting
care, and their neighbors
often made war against the
Israelites and oppressed them.
Their lives were filled with
anxiety, suffering, and all
kinds of problems, both
personally and as a
community. In short, it was
anything but a peaceful time
for the Israelites.
Gideon was one of the judges
whom God raised up to bring
His people back to Him. At
this particular time, the
Midianites were attacking
Israel, taking their flocks and
harvests, filling them with fear,
distress, and uncertainty
about the future.
Many of the Israelites were
cowering in caves and the
mountains from fear of their
enemies (Judges 6:2, 3).
Gideon was threshing wheat
in a secluded place, trying to
keep it from being found and
taken by the Midianites when
the Lord appeared to him and
called him to deliver His
people from their tormentors
(verses 11-14). When Gideon
realized it was God speaking
with him, he feared for his life.
“Then the Lord said to him,
‘Peace be with you; do not
fear, you shall not die.’ So
Gideon built an altar there to
the Lord, and called it
The-Lord-Is-Peace [Jehovah
Shalom]” (verses 23, 24).
At a time when there was no
peace in Israel or in people’s
hearts, God came offering
relief from their troubles.
Gideon’s story is a remarkable
reminder that no matter how
difficult life may become, God
can bring peace into our lives
when we trust Him and follow
His plan for us.
It took Gideon a while to
believe that God could really
use him to deliver Israel. Their
enemies, the Midianites, were
much more numerous and
powerful. But when Gideon
placed himself in God’s hands,
the Lord gave the Israelites an
amazing victory over their
enemies and restored peace.
Gideon found God to truly be
Jehovah Shalom—the “Lord
Who Is Our Peace.”
Jehovah Shalom and you
Today, God still brings peace
into troubled hearts. He is still
Jehovah Shalom—the “Lord Is
Our Peace.” The story of
Gideon tells you that when
your life is all upset—in your
times of greatest distress—
that is when God often brings
peace and relief. And He will
bring you peace if you trust
Him and let Him carry out His
plan for your life. That was
true for Gideon, and it is true
for you today. God is Jehovah
Shalom.
What the Bible says about
the peace God offers
There is no real peace apart
from God. “The wicked are
like the troubled sea, when it
cannot rest. . . . ‘There is no
peace,’ says my God, ‘for the
wicked’ ” (Isaiah 57:20, 21).
The wicked have no peace
because they will not trust
Jehovah Shalom—the “God of
Peace.” When troubles come,
they have only themselves to
rely on—and there is no peace
there.
God does not promise us
freedom from trouble, but He
does promise us His peace
that will give us the ability to
deal with the troubles we
experience. Jesus said,
“These things have I spoken
to you, that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you
will have tribulation, but be
of good cheer, I have
overcome the world” (John
16:33). Jesus is victorious
over sin and the troubles that
sin causes. And if we place
our hand in His, through His
strength we can overcome
and experience the peace He
offers.
The peace that Jesus gives
frees us from fear and worry.
His peace “rules” in our lives.
“Peace I leave with you, My
peace I give to you; not as
the world gives do I give to
you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be
afraid” (John 14:27). “Let the
peace of God rule in your
hearts” (Colossians 3:15).
Trusting God will bring a
richness of peace into our
lives. “You [God] will keep him
in perfect peace whose mind
is stayed on You, because he
trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).
“Great peace have those who
love Your law. And nothing
causes them to stumble”
(Psalm 119:165).
Jesus and His salvation are
the source of our peace.
“Having been justified by faith,
we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(Romans 5:1). Knowing that
our sins have been forgiven
and that we are covered with
the righteousness of Jesus—
this is the greatest blessing of
the peace that Jesus gives.
The peace that is beyond
our understanding
There is a richness to the
peace that God gives us that
we can never fully understand.
But we can experience it. The
apostle Paul wrote, “Be
anxious for nothing. . . the
peace of God, which passes
all understanding, will guard
your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus”
(Philippians 4:6, 7).
Whatever you are facing in
life right now, God
says to you as He said to
Gideon, “Peace be with you;
do not fear” (Judges 6:23).
He is Jehovah Shalom — the
“Lord Is Our Peace.”
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