Thus says the LORD: Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God; you have collapsed through your guilt. Take with you words, and return to the LORD; Say to him, "Forgive all iniquity, and receive what is good, that we may render as offerings the bullocks from our stalls. Assyria will not save us, nor shall we have horses to mount; We shall say no more, 'Our god,' to the work of our hands; for in you the orphan finds compassion." I will heal their defection, I will love them freely; for my wrath is turned away from them. I will be like the dew for Israel: he shall blossom like the lily; He shall strike root like the Lebanon cedar, and put forth his shoots. His splendor shall be like the olive tree and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. Again they shall dwell in his shade and raise grain; They shall blossom like the vine, and his fame shall be like the wine of Lebanon. Ephraim! What more has he to do with idols? I have humbled him, but I will prosper him. "I am like a verdant cypress tree"-- Because of me you bear fruit! Let him who is wise understand these things; let him who is prudent know them. Straight are the paths of the LORD, in them the just walk, but sinners stumble in them.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 1:6

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

God finished his work of creating our world in six days. The LORD continues to sustain it with his powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). He is still working on us, in us, and through us. He will continue to work his will in us till we fully share in his glory (Philippians 2:12-13) and Christ comes to take us home to be with him forever (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). And this promise isn't just for us personally, but for us as part of Jesus' people, his church, his bodily presence in the world. As Paul says to the Philippian believers:

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13).

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Thank you, Father, for being at work in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters. We confess that at times we neglect our faith, and you seem distant and unreachable to us. However, looking back over the crucial moments of our lives, we can see your fingerprints on us and your grace leading us to where we are today. Dear Father, please make your presence even more powerfully known in our lives as we seek your will and commit to live to your glory. In the name of Jesus, our LORD and Savior, we pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

—Hebrews 11:6

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Ⓒ 1996-2026 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent.

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms.

—Psalm 68:19

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Ⓒ 1996-2026 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent.

Then Jesus told [the man who had been healed of his blindness], "I entered this world to render judgment — to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind."

Some Pharisees who were standing nearby heard him and asked, "Are you saying we're blind?"

"If you were blind, you wouldn't be guilty," Jesus replied. "But you remain guilty because you claim you can see."

—John 9:39-41 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus is the Savior for those who are seeking God's truth. As long as we recognize that we don't have all the answers and that we need his grace and healing, then God is ready to bless us superabundantly. However, if we let arrogance capture our hearts and we think that we are important, then we had better beware. Pride and arrogance often get in the way of truth. This principle is especially true in matters of spiritual truth. Let's openly recognize that we need God's help to discern the truth.

Today's Prayer

Father, without your help, I would not be able to know the truth. I confess that my wisdom is but a grain of sand on the seashore of your wisdom. Thank you for placing Jesus in such an accessible place for me to find him and receive his gracious light. Please give me the wisdom to live for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

• Proverbs 16:18
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
• James 1:5-7

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Ⓒ 1996-2026 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.