Pocket Thoughts - 7/11/25

God * comforts His people and has compassion on the afflicted * doesn’t forget His beloved children * has engraved our names on the palms of His hands.

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John the Baptist recognized Who Jesus was – “the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.” He gladly wore the title “messenger” to announce that the Messiah, the Son of God, had come on the scene. He didn’t want anyone to miss what was happening – God Himself in Christ was walking the face of the earth! Salvation had arrived! Be like John. Be passionate about sharing the good news of salvation in Christ. He’s the Hope the world so desperately needs. – TV

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In Exodus 14:15, the Lord gives Moses a much-needed push. “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the Israelites to move on.” God has given Moses instructions for the Red Sea rescue, but Moses is slow to implement the plan. It seems huge and daunting and (humanly speaking) impossible. But it is God’s provision for freedom. Sometimes, we’re very clear on what God wants us to do. We’ve prayed, we’ve searched Scripture, and we’ve received godly counsel from community. Now it’s go time. We may hesitate because of fear, because of how impractical God’s solution appears or because we may look foolish to others. Don’t postpone obedience. Trust God anyway – without hesitation. The saying may be cliché, but it’s absolutely true: “If God brought you to it, He’ll get you through it.” He makes His power and goodness known in moments just like these. He’s giving you the push you need. Move on. – TV

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In Jesus’ letter to the Ephesians (recorded in Revelation 2), He held this against the church – they had “abandoned the love they had at first.” Just as a good marriage takes hard work and perseverance, keeping your relationship with Jesus vibrant and growing takes effort. Sacrifices of time, listening to Him through His Word, running to Him for direction and in repentance, and walking in His ways will keep the fires burning. A good marriage will flourish with devoted time, attention, and effort. So will your relationship with Your true First Love, Jesus. Put in the work, and watch Love blossom. – TV

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Father, in a week heavy with grief and mourning, we carry our tear-stained hearts to You. God of all comfort, You capture every one of those tears in Your bottle and record our every sorrow in Your book. (Psalm 56:8) Into the darkness, You send us – the light-bearers – earthen vessels filled with Your holy balm for the healing of the soul-wounded. (2 Corinthians 4:7) May the small kindness, the hushed prayer, and the humble gift be a mercy You provide through the hands of Your people. Let us not stand idly by when the need is so great, but let our love in action push back the shadows. One faithful ray at a time, may we fight for each spark of hope until we stand assured once more: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5) We lay our tender hearts at Your feet in the beautiful Name of Jesus. Amen.

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“And God pulls all of us closer, all of us who desperately long for a different world, and He lets us honestly wail: ‘How long, O Lord, how long?’ (Psalm 13). And we cry to Him like David, and we howl at Him like Job, ‘His hand is heavy in spite of my groaning’ (Job 23:2) and we’re as honest with Him as His own Son, ‘Take this cup from Me…My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?’ (Matthew 27:46)…And even though He felt forsaken, Jesus faithfully relied enough on God to say, ‘My God.’” – Ann Voskamp

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“I will be glad and rejoice in Your love, for You saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.” – Psalm 31:7