We tell it in different ways. It may be, “Nobody is as bad, broken, or beaten as I am.” Or, “nobody understands what it’s like.” Or, “if anyone knew the ‘real’ me, they wouldn’t want anything to do with me.” Really, there are an infinite combination of ways we say it, but all of them boil down to some equivalent of “I am beyond the reach of God’s acceptance.”
Why is this lie so dangerous? It actually keeps us away from Him and His blessings. Our belief in our unworthiness is so deep that we keep ourselves from trying to get close to Him. Our guilt drives us to darkness, isolation, and despair. In this state, we actually feed sinfulness and encase ourselves in lethal isolation. We cannot be at our best in relationships with others and we put greater focus on self, leading to further misery and emptiness.
Perhaps the common and caustic nature of this lie is why the Bible stresses the transforming and truthful rebuttal to this devilish deception. How does the Bible respond to the idea that I am not good enough for God’s love? Consider these biblical answers.
God’s love is unconditional. “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).
God IS love. “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).
God’s love is unconquerable and indomitable by any force or power. “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
God wants us to overcome. “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).
God doesn’t want anyone lost. “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
God’s forgiveness is faithfully and fully applied. “But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7-9).
God’s love is universal and proven. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Who is it that wants us to shun these beautiful truths? What do we gain by ignoring and rejecting them? What do we lose? None of us is perfect (Roman 3:10,23; 5:12). All of us struggle, with temptation (James 1:13-15; 1 Corinthians 10:13), with worldliness (1 John 2:15-17), with fear, and with weakness (Psalm 103:14). God has given us the resources we need to combat this terrible lie. We must see our intrinsic value in His eyes, fueled by His nature and proven by His actions. When we reject the lie, we choose the path of purpose and productivity. We can become what He intended for us to be and desires us to be. Our problems and struggles won’t disappear, but our resources to address them will become inexhaustible. Reject the lie!
As a Christian, the list is endless. But here’s a few:
God is eternally good and His steadfast love never ends (Psalm 136:1)
He chose you before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:3–4)
You are forgiven and your sins are removed as far as the east is from the west (Psa 103:12)
Christ redeemed you with His own blood while you were still His enemy (Rom. 5:8)
You have been adopted as a beloved child of God (1 John 3:1)
The Spirit lives inside you as a guarantee of your inheritance (Eph. 1:13–14)
Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places already belongs to you in Christ (Eph. 1:3)
Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:38–39)
Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Phil. 4:3)
Jesus is praying for you right now (Heb. 7:25)
Death has been swallowed up in victory (1 Cor. 15:54, 57)
One day you will see Him face to face and be made like Him (1 John 3:2)
He will wipe away every tear and make all things new (Rev. 21:4–5)
His mercies are new every single morning (Lam.3:22–23)
He cares for YOU (1 Pt. 5:7)
As a Christian, you aren’t just tolerated, you are infinitely loved, irrevocably chosen, completely forgiven, eternally kept, and destined for glory. That is why, in everything and always, we give thanks.
“This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you: give thanks in all circumstances.” 1 Thes. 5:18
Sin won’t quit on its own. It has to be killed. The Bible doesn’t offer a gentle plan; it hands us a sword. Cut off the hand. Gouge out the eye. Put the old nature to death. This is love for the One who died so we could live free.
Carl Pollard
I was listening to a preacher on Facebook the other day and he said something that made me think. He said, “stop treating your sin like a pet, it’s time for us to deal aggressively with our sin!” I started looking for all the places in scripture that this concept is described.
Jesus is clear: “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell” (Matthew 5:29,). Sin isn’t a bad habit to manage, it’s a deadly growth that has to be cut out. The Bible never tells us to make peace with it. It tells us to kill it. That’s the normal Christian life.
Paul is clear: “So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me” (Romans 7:17). That word “dwells” means sin has set up camp inside us. It’s not a visitor; it’s a squatter that wrecks everything it touches. The only answer is eviction, forceful, immediate, and final. The Spirit is the one who hands us the tools.
Colossians 3:5 is clear: “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” “Put to death” is a command to act now, not later. It’s not about slow improvement; it’s execution. Lust doesn’t get a warning, it gets killed. Greed doesn’t get an excuse, it gets the cross. Every morning we take sin’s corpse out to the curb.
Jesus continues: “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Matthew 5:30). He’s using strong language on purpose. If something in your life, your phone, your habits, your friendships, keeps tripping you up, get rid of it. No debate. The word “causes you to sin” is the same one used for setting a trap. Whatever sets the trap has to go.
Romans 8:13 shows how we win: “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Notice it’s “by the Spirit.” We don’t grit our teeth and try harder. We pray, read Scripture, fast, and stay accountable, then the Spirit does the heavy lifting. This is daily, ongoing war, not a one-time fix.
Sin won’t quit on its own. It has to be killed. The Bible doesn’t offer a gentle plan; it hands us a sword. Cut off the hand. Gouge out the eye. Put the old nature to death. This is love for the One who died so we could live free. Fighting sin hard is just what grace looks like in real life. Start today: name the sin, grab the weapon, trust the Spirit. Eternity is too close for anything less.
It seems that government shutdowns have become political footballs both parties have thrown around increasingly in recent years. There have been ten actual shutdowns since 1976, happening during the administration of seven different presidents. Since 1980, when the attorney general ruled that federal agencies cannot operate without funding, shutdowns have meant certain services stop and those, like the military, doing essential jobs must continue to work without pay. We don’t have to be political junkies to perceive that shutting down something has negative impacts on those affected.
Aren’t you glad that heaven never experiences a shutdown of any kind?
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us as Christians (Hebrews 7:25).
God always leads us in triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14).
God is able to make all grace abound to us so we always have sufficiency in everything (2 Corinthians 9:8).
God’s throne is forever and ever (Psalm 45:6; Hebrews 1:8-9).
Our forever God will guide us until death (Psalm 48:14).
God’s precepts are upheld forever and ever (Psalm 111:8).
His decrees will never pass away (Psalm 148:6).
Jesus is glorified through His church forever and ever (Ephesians 3:21).
He will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
God is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13; 2 Corinthians 1:18).
Multiplied passages tell us blessing and honor and glory and dominion are His forever.
Broken promises, stalls, stalemates, expirations, and change are all attributes that describe man and his works. Thank God that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Remember that when it comes time to pray, to seek His wisdom in His word, when contemplating His promises, or when faced with a decision to do His will. God is trustworthy and He is always on the job (Isaiah 40:28-31)!
Decades earlier, out in the wilderness, a young Caleb stood (nearly) alone. Moses sent the twelve spies into Canaan to scout the land (Numbers 13), in the minds of the terrified ten– the land of giants was unconquerable. Only two men believed that God was bigger, Joshua and Caleb. They urged the rest to move forward and take what He had promised, but it wasn’t going to happen.
Dale Pollard
Decades earlier, out in the wilderness, a young Caleb stood (nearly) alone. Moses sent the twelve spies into Canaan to scout the land (Numbers 13), in the minds of the terrified ten– the land of giants was unconquerable. Only two men believed that God was bigger, Joshua and Caleb. They urged the rest to move forward and take what He had promised, but it wasn’t going to happen.
For his courage, God vows to Caleb:
“But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring him into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it” (Numbers 14:24).
That promise wouldn’t be fulfilled for nearly half a century! By the time the land being divided among the tribes, Caleb was 85 years old. His spirit, however, was stronger than before. In Joshua 14, Caleb goes confidently to Joshua. He says,
“I am 85 years old. I am still as strong today as I was in the day that Moses sent me… Now therefore give me this mountain of which the Lord spoke in that day” (Joshua 14:10-12).
Which mountain? That would be Hebron. A mountain that was still inhabited by the Anakim– giants descended from the very people who melted the hearts of those ten spies years ago. To anybody else Caleb’s inheritance seemed like an impossible one. It would have appeared more like a curse– certainly not a blessing.
But up the mountain he went. God and Caleb secured that territory (Joshua 15.13-14), and the mountain that covered the people in a shadow of their previous shame now serves as a reminder. Between Faith and fear, the former is the more formidable force.
Four Quick Lessons:
Faith will always outlast fear.
Waiting is not wasted. Caleb looked forward for 45 years, but never became bitter or gave up on God.
Strength is spiritual. That “different spirit” that Caleb possessed sounds similar to that of the saints (Romans 8.9-11, I Corinthians 3.16).
Excuses are useless, God uses the toothless (Caleb was 85).
On Wednesday, an assassin shocked the world by killing Charlie Kirk, a man known for his traditional viewpoints. Although he faced accusations of holding objectionable views, his actual offense was his effectiveness in conveying conservative and Bible-based concepts. Unable to defeat him in debates, his opponents resorted to silencing him with a bullet.
Brent Pollard
On Wednesday, an assassin shocked the world by killing Charlie Kirk, a man known for his traditional viewpoints. Although he faced accusations of holding objectionable views, his actual offense was his effectiveness in conveying conservative and Bible-based concepts. Unable to defeat him in debates, his opponents resorted to silencing him with a bullet.
Thursday commemorated 24 years since the 9/11 attacks that profoundly impacted our nation and altered countless lives indefinitely. For those of us who can recall, those feelings remain vivid. The haunting images of the smoldering World Trade Center towers, the Pentagon, and that desolate Pennsylvania field remain etched in our memories. Unease lingers in the pit of our stomachs when we hear the audio from that day: the radio chatter of first responders and the frantic calls to loved ones from the cellphones of those trapped on doomed planes or in the World Trade Center towers from which there was no escape.
Occurrences such as these deeply affect us and lead us toward hopelessness. If we are not cautious, they may also lead us to feelings of anger, a desire for retaliation, or a sense of hopeless withdrawal.
In moments like this, the words of the apostle Paul resonate: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12.21). These words serve as a vital reminder, encouraging us to go beyond mere resistance to evil and to face it with the goodness of Christ actively.
Evil’s Real Power—and Its Limit
Evil exists, and the Bible presents it plainly. Paul had witnessed persecution, political corruption, and violence up close. Nevertheless, he refuses to let evil prevail in the end. Why?
Because Christ has already achieved victory through the cross and resurrection, the most formidable weapon of Satan—death—has been rendered ineffective. Evil may inflict pain, but it cannot prevail against the people of God.
Responding to hate with hate allows darkness to take root in our hearts. Responding with retaliation might seem instinctive, yet it merely compounds the damage. As Martin Luther King Jr. once stated, drawing inspiration from the words of John 1:5, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.” Paul articulates the same concept in a compelling, Spirit-inspired statement: “overcome evil with good.”
Goodness as an Active Weapon
This call does not constitute passive avoidance. Paul’s instruction serves to motivate. In the lines of the surrounding context of Romans 12.21, he clearly articulates it:
• “Bless those who persecute you…” (v. 14).
• “Repay no one evil for evil…” (v. 17).
• “…if your enemy is hungry, feed him…” (v. 20).
Kindness transcends mere courteous expressions. This love, filled with the Spirit, nourishes, forgives, and serves, even when faced with mistreatment. This type of goodness illuminates a realm that transcends our earthly existence. According to the latter part of verse 20, such actions can “heap burning coals” upon the heads of those who wrong us. While vengeance ultimately belongs to God (Romans 12.19), we can find solace in the understanding that our goodness serves as a formidable weapon against evil.
Three Gospel Tasks Reframed
Considering Romans 12.21, the church’s mission takes on renewed urgency:
Evangelism: Proclaiming the ultimate good.
The goodness we provide transcends mere humanitarian efforts; it embodies the message of Jesus Christ, who was crucified and has risen from the dead. As the world grows weary of violence and retribution, individuals seek hope that evil cannot extinguish. Our testimony of forgiveness and reconciliation through Christ serves as a powerful act of overcoming evil.
Edification: Strengthening the saints.
It is not uncommon for believers to feel disheartened or frustrated as troubling news continues to accumulate. Romans 12 encourages us to uplift one another in maintaining a gentle spirit. By engaging in worship, study, and fellowship, we nurture goodness and stand against cynicism.
Benevolence: Doing tangible good.
Addressing needs—nourishing the hungry, providing solace to the grieving, assisting neighbors in distress—is not a secondary endeavor. We are fighting a battle of the spirit. Each act of compassion proclaims that darkness does not hold the ultimate authority.
Living the Verse Today
How can we apply Romans 12.21 today?
• Pray for enemies and victims alike. Name them before God.
• Guard your words. Refuse to spread hatred online or in conversation.
• Share Christ. Offer the gospel as the deepest good, the cure for sin’s root cause.
These actions may seem insignificant in the face of widespread evil, yet they hold great power because God amplifies them. The kingdom flourishes through small, Spirit-inspired acts of kindness.
Hope That Overcomes
When Jesus confronted the greatest evil—an unjust cross—He triumphed not by summoning legions of angels but by surrendering His life and rising again. His resurrection demonstrates that goodness is not a sign of weakness, but rather the unstoppable power of God.
The anniversary of 9/11 and Charlie Kirk’s tragic assassination serve as poignant reminders of the urgent need for strength in our world. Let us stand firm against the shadows of this time. With our hearts anchored in Christ, let us overcome evil with good—making the most of our time through evangelism, edification, and benevolence until His return.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12.21).
As fall’s soft breeze turns to unexpected warmth, we feel the stir of change. But pain and loss are felt by many. These tragedies of the past week show our world needs Jesus, badly. Without Him in our homes and families, we see brokenness. Ezekiel 36:26 gives hope: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”
Ezekiel spoke to God’s people in exile, far from home because they turned to idols. Their hard hearts led to trouble (Ezekiel 36:16-20). But God promised mercy, a new heart and His Spirit to help them obey (v. 27). This promise comes true in Jesus and the Holy Spirit (John 3:5-6). Charlie Kirk was a young father and husband, killed at a school event over political disagreement. This shows us what hard hearts can do. Yet, God can soften our hearts, filling them with His love.
Change starts inside. We give our hearts to Jesus, and He makes them new. John 16:33 says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”That’s our peace, when the world is knee deep in anger and despair, Jesus wins over death. No matter the pain, we can trust Him and stay steady.
Romans 12:21 tells us, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Evil, like the violence that took innocent lives comes from Satan (John 10:10). But we’re called to love, forgive, and share Jesus’ hope. In Luke 19, Zacchaeus met Jesus and changed, giving generously, fixing wrongs. His new heart showed. We’re to shine like that, letting our lives point to God (Matthew 5:16).
Our country needs Jesus. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” Without God, we get chaos. But 2 Chronicles 7:14 shows the way: pray, humble ourselves, seek God. Healing starts in our hearts and homes.
Come, Lord Jesus. Let’s let Him change our hearts, rest in His promises, and do good to fight evil. When we put Jesus in our families, we bring His hope to our nation, one new heart at a time
Gaining entry into God’s kingdom involves more than just accepting an invitation; it requires embracing God’s means of achieving righteousness. We cannot enter based on our own merits, trying to present our achievements as if they were fine garments
Brent Pollard
During His final week, Jesus told this story while standing in the temple courts, facing hostile religious leaders. It was a pointed parable—one that directly addressed the heart of God’s kingdom purposes (Matthew 22.1-14). Along with His previous parable of the wheat and tares, this reveals a profound truth: God’s kingdom embodies radical grace, presents a mixed reality, and guarantees certain judgment.
The King’s Heart Revealed
A king is preparing a wedding feast for his son. This occasion is not just a social gathering; it reflects the deepest desire of God’s heart. He longs to celebrate His Son in the company of joyful guests. The king has prepared the feast and sent the invitations. Everything is ready.
Observe that those the king invited initially decline—these were individuals who should have felt honored to attend—but instead, they make excuses and turn away. Even worse, they mistreat the king’s messengers. This behavior is a clear reflection of what Israel’s leaders did to the prophets, and what they were about to do to God’s own Son.
Their rejection, however, does not thwart God’s purpose; it reveals it. When those who considered themselves worthy prove unworthy, the king sends his servants with new instructions: “Go to the highways and invite anyone you find.”
This overture is the Gospel in its essence. God’s grace extends beyond all human boundaries. The invitation that began with the covenant people reaches out to everyone—Gentiles, outcasts, and anyone willing to accept it. Paul captured this idea perfectly when he said, “to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1.16).
The Uncomfortable Truth
The story takes an unsettling turn when the servants gather “both bad and good”—not just the obviously righteous, but everyone willing to accept the invitation. The wedding hall fills with a diverse crowd, and Jesus wants us to understand that this is precisely how God’s kingdom appears in the present age.
Consider the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matthew 13.24-30). In this story, good grain and weeds grow together in the same field, often appearing almost identical until it is time for the harvest. The householder instructs his servants not to separate the two too early, understanding that acting too soon could harm the wheat along with the weeds.
In the church, both genuine believers and false professors sit in the same pews, sing the same songs, and bear the same name, “Christian.” From our perspective, they are often indistinguishable from one another. Only God knows the heart.
This truth should deeply humble us. While we can’t see the heart as God does, Jesus taught us that “by their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 7.20). We can and should discern spiritual fruit—such as love, repentance, and growth in holiness. However, this discernment is vastly different from making a final judgment. We can recognize patterns of spiritual life or spiritual deadness, but we cannot declare anyone’s eternal destiny. Our responsibility is to remain faithful ourselves while exercising wise and loving discernment regarding the fruit we observe in others.
The Essential Garment
The king is shocked when he inspects his guests and discovers that one man is not wearing a wedding garment. In that culture, it was common for hosts to provide appropriate attire for their guests. Refusing to wear it was considered an insult, as it signified a rejection of the king’s grace. The king is shocked when he inspects his guests and discovers that one man is not wearing a wedding garment. In that culture, it was common for hosts to provide appropriate attire for their guests. Refusing to wear it was considered an insult, as it signified a rejection of the king’s grace.
The man stands speechless. What could he possibly say? The invitation was sincere, the host provided the garments, and the feast was ready. His exclusion came not from the king’s lack of generosity but from his own refusal to embrace grace.
This fact is at the heart of the Gospel. Gaining entry into God’s kingdom involves more than just accepting an invitation; it requires embracing God’s means of achieving righteousness. We cannot enter based on our own merits, trying to present our achievements as if they were fine garments. Isaiah reminds us that our righteousness is like filthy rags in God’s sight.
The wedding garment symbolizes the righteousness of Christ himself. Paul teaches that we must be “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3.27). This concept isn’t about moral improvement or religious performance—it’s about letting go of our own efforts and receiving what only God can provide.
Grace for the Unworthy
What stands out to me most about these parables is that none of the guests genuinely deserve their spot at the feast. The first guests demonstrate their unworthiness by rejecting the invitation. The guests brought in from the highways aren’t worthy by any merit-based criteria. Even those who wear appropriate attire at the feast arrive solely by grace.
This reality reflects the parable of the vineyard workers (Matthew 20.1-16). Neither the early workers nor the late ones “earned” their whole day’s wage; it was the landowner’s generous decision. The same principle applies in God’s kingdom. We are all travelers on the road, gathered by grace, clothed by grace, and sustained by grace.
This truth should humble our pride and inspire our worship. If you’re at the feast, it’s because God wanted you there, not because you earned it. When you wear Christ’s righteousness, it is because He provided what you could never achieve on your own.
Living with the Mystery
I understand that the mixed nature of the church can be discouraging. You may observe hypocrisy among those who claim to follow Christ. You witness divisions, scandals, and failures within the visible church. At times, you might wonder if the entire institution is compromised.
Take heart—Jesus anticipated this very situation. The wheat and the tares will grow together until the harvest. The wedding hall will include both genuine and counterfeit guests until the King’s final inspection. This fact is not a flaw in God’s plan; it is part of His wisdom.
Our mission is not to rid the church of every false believer—that is God’s responsibility during the final judgment. Instead, our mission is to examine our own hearts to ensure that Christ’s wedding garment of righteousness clothes us. Additionally, the King compels us to extend His invitation to others who are traversing the roads of this world.
We should encourage one another to be faithful and lovingly confront sin when we notice it. However, we must remember that ultimate judgment belongs solely to God. He will separate the wheat from the tares at the right time, and His judgment will be perfect.
The Certainty of Joy
Don’t let the presence of tares discourage you from recognizing the truth of the wheat. Don’t allow counterfeit garments to diminish your confidence in the genuine righteousness you have received in Christ. The King knows His own, and the harvest will come. The feast will be glorious.
If you have accepted the invitation and come to the feast dressed in Christ, you can find comfort in this promise: what God has begun in you, He will also complete. The same grace that called you from the highways will support you until that final day when He removes every falsehood, and only the truth remains.
If you find yourself on the highways, unsure whether the invitation includes you, pay attention. The King’s servants are still reaching out to invite you. The message remains the same: “Come, for everything is ready.” The garment of righteousness is still offered freely to anyone willing to accept it.
The feast is genuine. The King is gracious. The invitation remains open.
What have you wanted to try to do for the Lord but convinced yourself is impossible? Memorize 100 Scriptures? Preach a sermon? Teach a class? Share the gospel with a lost soul? Serve in church leadership? Whatever is within the scope of God’s will and authorization and whatever is within the field of human possibility, you can do it!
Neal Pollard
Kansei Matsuzawa is from Tokyo, Japan. He grew up there playing soccer until the thought occurred to him as a teenager that he wanted to try American football after watching his first NFL game. He had never kicked a football until the age of 20. Of course, it took a lot of practice as well as watching YouTube and Instagram videos. Last Saturday, Kansei’s last second kick helped Hawaii defeat Stanford if both teams’ 2025 opener. This is his fourth year of playing college football in America. His goal is to kick in the NFL, and who’s to doubt him? He’s come so far already!
What have you wanted to try to do for the Lord but convinced yourself is impossible? Memorize 100 Scriptures? Preach a sermon? Teach a class? Share the gospel with a lost soul? Serve in church leadership? Whatever is within the scope of God’s will and authorization and whatever is within the field of human possibility, you can do it! Find the tools needed and use them. Research, explore, and attempt! Consider what happened when men and women in Bible times thought this way:
Caleb was ready to fight giants (Num. 13:30), then 40 years later he drove them out (Jos. 14:12; 15:14).
Jael, an unassuming woman, killed the evil commander of an army with a tent peg and ended Canaan’s oppression of Israel (Jud. 4:17-23).
David slew a frightening giant with a sling and a rock (1 Sam. 17:49-50).
David’s mighty men, Adino, Eleazar, Shammah, Abishai, and Benaiah, among others, did incredibly daring and memorable things among God’s enemies (2 Sam. 23:8ff).
Elijah out-dueled 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel and called down fire from heaven (1 Ki. 18:36-46).
Peter walked on water (Mat. 14:28-29), then later preached the first gospel sermon (Acts 2:21-36).
Paul won the Gentile world to Christ in one incredible effort after another (Acts 13-28).
Hebrews 11 breaks down a highlight reel of incredible, often unlikely, accomplishments men and woman made for God by faith through the ages.
It still happens today. No, not through miraculous means and not of the physical, material kind. Not even in episodes that are earth-shattering and dramatic. It may be a brief conversation, a courageous stand, an act of service, or a show of genuine love.
God once asked Moses, “What is that in your hand?” (Ex. 4:2). Is He asking you and me that? The answer? “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ec. 9:10)!
But who is this woman? Is she the same Gomer whom Hosea married in chapter 1, or does she represent a second bride, perhaps symbolizing Judah alongside Israel in some grand drama of two sisters? Here stands one of those interpretive crossroads where the very trajectory of revelation hangs in the balance.
Brent Pollard
In the ancient landscape of Scripture, few passages arrest the soul quite like Hosea 3, where God commands His prophet: “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” (Hosea 3.1). Here Hosea purchases her—this mysterious woman—“for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley,” then withholds marital relations for “many days” (Hosea 3.2-3).
But who is this woman? Is she the same Gomer whom Hosea married in chapter 1, or does she represent a second bride, perhaps symbolizing Judah alongside Israel in some grand drama of two sisters? Here stands one of those interpretive crossroads where the very trajectory of revelation hangs in the balance.
Two paths stretch before the careful reader. A minority of conservative scholars sees chapter 3 as a fresh symbolic act with another adulteress, sometimes linked to Judah through the “two sisters” motif found elsewhere in prophetic literature. Yet the majority view—held by the great cloud of classic conservative commentators—perceives one continuous drama with one wife, one covenant, one story of love’s persistence through the darkest valleys of unfaithfulness.
This latter reading, I would argue, best preserves the magnificent Messianic arc that governs the whole of Hosea 1-3, an arc as vast and purposeful as the eucatastrophe that crowns the most remarkable tales ever told.
The Divine Command and Its Shocking Grace
Chapter 1 opens with words that still have power to startle the modern heart: “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord” (1:2). What kind of God would command such a thing? Only one whose love burns with such intensity that He will use even the prophet’s agony to mirror His own heart’s breaking.
Hosea obeys—for prophets know something of the weight of divine calling—and marries Gomer. Their children become living sermons, their names carving judgment into the very air that Israel breathes. Jezreel speaks of scattering that follows political bloodshed; Lo-Ruhamah means “No Mercy,” signaling heaven’s withdrawal of compassion; Lo-Ammi—“Not My People”—depicts the ultimate horror: covenant rupture, the tearing of that sacred bond that once made them the apple of God’s eye (1.4-9).
The effect is deliberately devastating. This departure is no mere moral slip, no gentle wandering from the path. Israel’s sin bears the face of spiritual adultery against the very God who chose her, loved her, called her from Egypt, and made her His own.
The Promise That Changes Everything
Yet—oh, what power lies in that simple word!—judgment is not God’s final word. Immediately after the “Not My People” sentence, Hosea hears a promise of breathtaking scope: “Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or numbered. And in the place where it was said to them, “You are not my people,” it shall be said to them, “Children of the living God.” And the children of Judah and the children of Israel shall be gathered together, and they shall appoint for themselves one head.” (1.10-11).
Here stands the North Star by which we must navigate all that follows. The story moves inexorably toward reunion under a single Davidic ruler—toward the Messiah. This reconciliation is not merely restoration but transformation, not simply healing but resurrection unto new life.
When Love Becomes a Lawsuit, Then Wedding Song
Chapter 2 unfolds like a covenant lawsuit in the courts of eternity. The Judge indicts His faithless spouse, exposes her idols and ill-placed alliances, announces discipline that will strip away the very gifts she has misused for evil purposes (2.2-13). Justice must speak its harsh truth before mercy can whisper its tender promises.
But then the tone pivots from court to courtship. “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak tenderly to her.” (2.14). The wilderness, that place of testing and purging, becomes a wedding aisle where love writes its most beautiful poetry.
Hear how the Bridegroom’s voice grows tender: “And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.” (2.19-20).
This promise is a covenant renewal of the most glorious kind—not by human reform or religious effort, but by pure divine initiative. The righteousness will be His gift, the faithfulness His accomplishment, the steadfast love His very nature poured out upon the undeserving.
The Purchase Price of Love
Chapter 3 returns us to the sign-act, but now we see it through the lens of promise. God commands Hosea to “love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel” (3.1). He buys her—this woman whom love will not release—and then imposes a season of chaste separation: “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” (3.3).
On the majority reading, this is Gomer once more—the same woman, the same covenant, the same costly love. The symbolism thunders with gospel truth: the bride belongs to Hosea by right of covenant, yet he pays a price to reclaim her from slavery. She dwells under his protection, yet marital intimacy waits for the appointed time. It is a perfect picture of God’s people under discipline—kept and preserved by unshakeable love, yet awaiting the full warmth of restored fellowship.
Why prefer the “one wife” interpretation over “two”? Textually, the prophecy promises not two restored marriages, but one united people under “one head” (1.11). Thematically, a single spouse clarifies the gospel shape of this ancient drama: one relationship broken by sin, one redemption purchased by love, one reunion consummated by grace. To split the sign into separate unions risks obscuring that clean line running from Israel’s infidelity to the Messiah’s unifying reign.
The Long Wait and the Coming King
Hosea himself interprets the sign with words both sobering and hopeful: “For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods” (3:4). A prolonged season follows—kingless, templeless, suspended between judgment and restoration. It is discipline, but discipline shot through with promise.
For afterward, the prophet declares, “the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.” (3.5). “David” here is no mere historical echo but the promised Son of David, the Root and Offspring of Jesse’s line, the King whose kingdom shall have no end.
In the New Testament’s brilliant light, that restoration dawns in Jesus Christ, who gathers the scattered, “broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility” and creates “in himself one new man in place of the two” (Ephesians 2.14-15). The apostles see clearly how Hosea’s reversal—“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” (Romans 9.25) applies to all who are called into Christ, whether Jew or Gentile. As Peter puts it with stunning directness: “Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” (1 Peter 2.10).
The bride is being made ready for the marriage supper of the Lamb (2 Corinthians 11.2; Revelation 19.7-9).
Gospel Theater in an Ancient Home
Hosea’s household, then, becomes gospel theater of the most profound sort: covenant love initiates the drama, sin wounds the heart of it, grace pursues through every shadow, redemption pays the necessary price, sanctified waiting refines the beloved, and Messianic reunion brings the story to its glorious close.
The “same woman” reading allows us to feel this story as Scripture intends—a single, unbroken through-line running from rupture to redemption, from betrayal to betrothal, under one Head who is Christ Jesus our Lord. In His nail-scarred hands, every broken covenant finds healing, every faithless heart discovers mercy, and every wayward bride learns the deep, costly joy of being loved with an everlasting love.
This is the gospel that Hosea’s pain purchased for our instruction, the good news that his obedience spelled out in living letters. One bride, one Bridegroom, one story of love that will not let us go—no matter how far we wander, no matter how deep we fall. For such is the love of the God who calls things that are not as though they were, and who makes His enemies into His beloved.
In our culture, we’re bombarded with the promise of the “good life”—the American Dream. It’s sold as owning a nice house, driving shiny new cars, taking lavish vacations, and retiring to a life of leisure. But even those who achieve this dream often miss the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10.
Carl Pollard
In our culture, we’re bombarded with the promise of the “good life”—the American Dream. It’s sold as owning a nice house, driving shiny new cars, taking lavish vacations, and retiring to a life of leisure. But even those who achieve this dream often miss the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10. No matter how many commas are in your bank account, how new your car is, or how many rooms your house has, without Jesus, you don’t have life.
In John 10:7-9, Jesus declares, “I am the gate for the sheep.” This is the third of His seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John, echoing the divine name from Exodus 3:14. He’s not just a door—He’s *the* door, the only entry to a life of true satisfaction, security, and purpose. Forget the prosperity gospel that slaps Christian labels on the American Dream. Jesus’ abundant life isn’t about piling up stuff; it’s about being right with God through faith in Christ and having the hope of eternity in His presence. The Apostle Paul had next to nothing but was content with food and clothing (1 Timothy 6:8) because he was rich toward God. In Philippians 3:8, he says, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” So, I’m asking you to examine your life: which door have you walked through? Jesus is the only door to abundant life, always open, but you’ve got to choose to step through.
Picture yourself lost in a freezing forest, stumbling onto a house with a roaring fire, hot soup, and a warm bed. But there’s no door—no way in. You’re stuck outside, desperate for what’s inside. That’s life without Jesus. He says, “I am the gate for the sheep” (John 10:7), the sole entry to a relationship with God. In John 10, false shepherds—religious leaders, philosophies, or systems—promise access through works, sincerity, or rituals. Jesus calls them “thieves and robbers” (v. 8) who “steal and kill and destroy” (v. 10). The American Dream offers a wide gate—wealth, success, pleasure—but Jesus warns in Matthew 7:13-14 that the broad road leads to destruction. Other paths, like Islam, Buddhism, or even well-meaning people suggest salvation outside Christ, and miss the truth: “There is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Jesus’ sinless life, authoritative teaching, miracles, and resurrection prove He’s the only way. He says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). Are you chasing a false door or trusting Jesus alone?
Jesus doesn’t just claim to be the door; He promises life-changing blessings. John 10:9 says, “If anyone enters through me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus rescues us from God’s wrath, Satan’s schemes, and life’s futility. Our sin makes us God’s enemies (Romans 5:10), but Jesus took our punishment on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Like a wolf licking a blood-coated blade, not realizing it’s killing itself, the American Dream lures us to spiritual death. Jesus saves us from false teachings and gives purpose, making this life the start of eternity (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Jesus offers security. “Go in and out” (v. 9) pictures a sheep’s freedom under the shepherd’s care, safe from wolves. Charles Spurgeon said believers can rest easy, protected by Christ’s power (Galatians 5:1). Unlike the shaky security of wealth, Jesus guards our souls, giving us direct access to God (Ephesians 2:18). Where do you feel trapped—guilt, fear, materialism? Jesus offers true freedom.
Jesus provides strength through “pasture” (v. 9)—spiritual nourishment like peace, purpose, and forgiveness. The American Dream leaves us chasing an elusive “something.” Jesus satisfies our deepest needs (Psalm 23:1). Are you spiritually starving, looking for fulfillment in success? Come to Jesus for lasting satisfaction.
Jesus’ blessings demand action: you must enter (v. 9). Just admiring the door—going to church or nodding at Jesus—won’t cut it. You’ve got to trust Him as Savior and obey His commands. This invitation is for “anyone” (v. 9). The world’s pleasures are a trap, promising life but delivering destruction. Jesus offers abundant life now and forever.
In Let’s Make a Deal, contestants pick between a visible prize and what’s behind a door. The visible prize—wealth, fame, pleasure, looks good but it means missing something better. Jesus, the true Door, offers salvation, security, and strength. Don’t stand outside wondering what could’ve been. Trust Him today, step through by faith, and receive this abundant life. The door’s open—will you walk through?
There are so many parallels between those in ancient Athens and our postmodern society. It seems like a common belief was that everybody’s right (Acts 17:16,21)! I mean who are we to say what’s right and what’s wrong?
Dale Pollard
There are so many parallels between those in ancient Athens and our postmodern society. It seems like a common belief was that everybody’s right (Acts 17:16,21)! I mean who are we to say what’s right and what’s wrong? It was partially with that mindset that the city was full of idols. Paul, moved in spirit, tells them that not everybody’s right.
The meat of his message is found in v. 22-31.
The heart of it is found in 27b:
“God is not far from each one of us.”
No matter how confused and lost a person might feel, no matter what kind of sinful past or present may be weighing on the mind of a person, and no matter how distant God may seem— He is never far from each one of us.
It’s because of the honest response of some of those willing to hear and believe (v.34) that we’re reminded to preach Jesus to everybody. Even if it might look like God is outnumbered, preach Jesus anyway.
Often, we panic or worry. Or we despair and even give up. We may talk like Elisha’s servant, who seeing the Syrian army surrounding them, cried, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). The problems, pressures, and pains of life can so gouge us that we are ready to come unglued!
Neal Pollard
What does a bull running amuck along the streets of Pamplona think about? If they have thoughts and they live to gore, then one particular bull may have been pretty pleased with his results. He gored two brothers, Lawrence and Michael Lenahan, simultaneously, in the annual running of the bulls festival. Fortunately for both of them, their wounds did not prove to be fatal (details here).
When we tackle a problem head on, determined to be decisive, we often say we are “taking the bull by the horns.” This phrase probably comes either from rounding up cattle or bullfighting. It assumes the person has control of (or is trying to take control of) a situation. However, what do you do when the situation seems to be taking control of you? What do you do when the bull has you by its horns?
Often, we panic or worry. Or we despair and even give up. We may talk like Elisha’s servant, who seeing the Syrian army surrounding them, cried, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). The problems, pressures, and pains of life can so gouge us that we are ready to come unglued!
What’s the answer? Elisha’s prayer holds the key when we’re gored with grief and stuck by sorrows. He pleads, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see” (17). In response, “the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (17).
When you are in the midst of a painful problem, you may not actually see the power and protection of heaven in such a visible, dramatic way. But be assured that you serve the same God with the same power! He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
As you find yourself running down the narrow way (cf. Mat. 7:13-14), you are prone to attack from one who’s set his sights on you. He may not actually have horns, but he has ways to try and afflict you (cf. 2 Cor. 2:11; 12:7; Eph. 6:11,16). Trust this. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
The Cleveland team was dreadful. It showed on the field and in the stands, where they drew an average of 199 fans after their first 16 home games. Only 6,088 fans watched them play that year, an average of 145 diehards per home game. They were so bad, they decided to play most of their games on the road.
Neal Pollard
Inexplicably, I remain a Colorado Rockies fan when many of my Denver-area friends have abandoned ship with this historically bad baseball team. The Rockies are last in total pitching and fielding (defense) and seventh-worst in hitting. That means they can’t pitch, hit, or field. They go into the All-Star game 22-74, on pace to join some dubious, infamous company. In the “modern era” (since 1901), there was the 1916 Philadelphia A’s who won 36 and lost 117. The 1935 Boston Braves and 1962 New York Mets were almost as bad. Closer to the present, you’d have to include the 2003 Detroit Tigers (43-119) and the 2024 Chicago White Sox (41-121). But, the symbol and epitome of terrible baseball has to be the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. They finished that season 20-134! But, their hard luck was more of a business decision.
The 1898 team boasted Hall of Famers Cy Young, Jesse Burkett, and Bobby Wallace, but the owners, who also owned the St. Louis Browns, felt that a good team would draw more fans in Missouri than Ohio. So, they depleted the Spider roster and stocked the Browns roster. The Cleveland team was dreadful. It showed on the field and in the stands, where they drew an average of 199 fans after their first 16 home games. Only 6,088 fans watched them play that year, an average of 145 diehards per home game. They were so bad, they decided to play most of their games on the road. To commemorate the centennial “celebration” of Clevelands wandering exiles, J. Thomas Hetrick memorialized them in his 1999 book, Misfits! Baseball’s Worst Team Ever. Apparently, the Spanish-American war, a failed effort to clean up bad language on the field, and “too many games” (expanding to 154; today, it’s 162) had already cut into fan attendance, but watching a “sideshow” like the Cleveland Spiders led to a disastrous end to a once-proud, championship-caliber franchise.
To fail in athletics may lead to a less than desirable footnote in sports history. To fail in academics and economics can create a legacy that stains one’s family name. But, in just about every arena, failure need not affect one’s spiritual standing. Think of biblical underdogs that had little chance of success, if God was not factored in. Why, all of Israel were sitting ducks against the Canaanites without God (Deut. 7:24; Josh. 21:44)! David looked like no match for Goliath (1 Sam. 17:33)! Hezekiah and lowly Judah, on paper, were no match for Sennacherib and the Assyrians (Isa. 37:14-20)! Even the early church seemed overwhelmed in their objectives and mismatched in their mission (1 Cor. 1:26-29)!
How do we explain this? How can we seem to lack the talent, resources, exposure, and influence of the world, and yet still be described as over-comers (John 16:33), conquerors (Rom. 8:37), victors (1 Cor. 15:57), and greater (1 John 4:4) than the world? Perhaps this helps. The final tally has not been recorded, and it will not be in this life! Evaluation day will surprise the whole world, when we stand before The Judge (Mat. 7:13-14, 21-23; Rev. 20:11-15). God’s not going to reward the most accomplished by earthly measurements. Our eternal success or failure will be tied to our response to the One who defeated death and the devil (Heb. 2:14-15). If we trusted and obeyed Him and His blood covers our sins, we will go to heaven even if we don’t have a nickel to our name, a well-defined skill in our toolbox, a diploma or degree on our wall, or a celebrity in our family tree. Maybe others deem you a “loser,” but if you are a “winner” with God that’s the record you want to have!
“How can we genuinely live out the principles of Christ’s kingdom now?”
This truth does not suggest believers withdraw from the world or avoid pursuing righteousness. Throughout history, those motivated by sacred teachings have passionately sought justice, advocated for the vulnerable, and worked to elevate their communities. However, our engagement arises from a strong faith in the divine order, not from anxiety about social changes or the failures of institutions.
Brent Pollard
“If the foundations are destroyed, What can the righteous do?”— Psalm 11.3
This verse resonates with us during crises. When faced with cultural upheaval, political turmoil, or moral decline, many Christians turn to Psalm 11.3. Sometimes, they do so out of despair over society’s deterioration, while at other times, they do so as a rallying cry for their preferred solutions. The verse becomes a flexible instrument for urgency, affirming concerns or motivating action on various issues.
However, we frequently overlook a crucial aspect: David isn’t the one asking this question.
The Context Makes All the Difference
Psalm 11 opens with David’s bold declaration of faith: “In the Lord I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain…’” (v. 1). David stands resolute, confronting those who would counsel retreat amid peril.
The composition of the psalm unfolds a conversation between two viewpoints:
The Voice of Fear (vv. 1b-3): David’s advisors see the wicked preparing their bows (v. 2) and come to a grim realization: when moral foundations crumble, the righteous become vulnerable. Their response? To flee and seek safety.
The Voice of Faith (vv. 4-7): David does not react with fear but with deep theological insight into God’s unwavering sovereignty.
A biblical commentator, Derek Kidner, points out that the entire middle section, including verse 3, represents “the voice of defeatism,” which David firmly rejects. “What can the righteous do?” isn’t a lament from David; instead, it captures the worried thoughts of those who have forgotten the basis of their genuine security.
David’s Counter-Argument: God Still Reigns
David’s reply cuts through the fog of anxiety with deep theological insight:
“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.” (v. 4).
Although many see only the world’s chaos, David perceives the divine harmony that supports all creation. In his Treasury of David, Charles Spurgeon articulates this thought with remarkable clarity: “When we cannot see our way, we can see our God. When we cannot trace his path, we can trust his heart.” David places his trust not in the transient nature of human institutions but in the enduring foundation of divine sovereignty. God’s throne stands firm, unaffected by the upheavals of earthly power, and His justice persists, steady even when human systems fail.
Spurgeon remarks that David “answers the craven counselors” not by arguing but through a deep comprehension of God—focusing not on the immediate dangers posed by wicked men with their bows ready. Instead, David looks beyond what is visible into the invisible throne room of heaven, where God watches, evaluates, and will eventually pass judgment on all issues.
The psalm ends with a promise: “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; The upright will behold His face.” (v. 7). This is not simply hopeful thinking; it is the foundation of theology.
The Danger of Misapplication
In today’s world, Psalm 11.3 often serves as a rallying cry for various causes—whether political efforts, social movements, or institutional reforms. Some people exploit this verse to create a sense of urgency around specific agendas, implying that failing to support a particular cause amounts to a total abandonment of righteousness.
The warped perspective appears in several forms: Some cite “crumbling foundations” to justify political involvement, while others promote questionable social theories. Some reinforce institutional biases or traditional practices not backed by Scripture. Scripture fosters discord rather than a call to unwavering biblical loyalty in all these cases.
The early church repeatedly faced this temptation. They were under the weight of Roman oppression, witnessing the surrounding moral decline and suffering persecution. However, the apostles’ writings consistently guided believers beyond simple human solutions to the profound spiritual truths that lie ahead. While imprisoned by a corrupt regime, Paul wrote some of his most optimistic passages, strongly affirming that external circumstances cannot determine the ultimate safety of God’s people.
Berean biblical scholarship teaches us that, although earthly institutions fulfill God’s objectives (Romans 13.1-7), the church’s primary mission surpasses any specific human system or movement. Our true citizenship lies in heaven (Philippians 3.20), and our ultimate hope is anchored not in any earthly cause, no matter how noble, but in Christ alone.
What Can the Righteous Do?
When the very foundations tremble, the Word of God offers unwavering guidance:
Pray Without Anxiety:“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4.6). During times of uncertainty, we should avoid panic and instead pursue the unfathomable peace of God through sincere prayer.
Seek God’s Kingdom First:“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6.33). We prioritize advancing the divine purpose over merely endorsing political ideologies.
Stand Firm in Faith:“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6.13). We do not retreat; instead, we remain steadfast, strengthened by our inner determination.
Live as Salt and Light (Matthew 5.13-17): We engage with society, aiming to effect change through the gospel instead of withdrawing from its challenges. By embodying integrity, serving others, and speaking truth with courage, we influence the world around us.
The Church’s Distinctive Response
The church offers a distinct promise that goes beyond any earthly pursuit: a message of eternal hope rooted in Christ’s victory. When society’s foundations appear to be trembling, our primary question should not be, “How can we advance our ambitions?” but instead, “How can we genuinely live out the principles of Christ’s kingdom now?”
This truth does not suggest believers withdraw from the world or avoid pursuing righteousness. Throughout history, those motivated by sacred teachings have passionately sought justice, advocated for the vulnerable, and worked to elevate their communities. However, our engagement arises from a strong faith in the divine order, not from anxiety about social changes or the failures of institutions.
J.W. McGarvey powerfully asserted that the true strength of the church is not found in human systems or movements but rather in the profound work of spiritual transformation. As we proclaim the gospel, we delve into the depths of the human heart, confronting the fundamental issues that no worldly remedy can address.
Conclusion: Standing on the True Foundation
In Psalm 11.3, the inquiry does not stem from David but reflects the anxious assumption he rejects. The righteous do despairingly ask, “What can we do?” Instead, we declare with David, “The Lord is in His holy temple.”
Charles Spurgeon reminds us that “the believer’s safety lies not in the absence of danger, but in the presence of the Lord.” We stand firm when the ground shakes beneath us, for our foundation is immune to chaos. We do not retreat in fear to the mountains; instead, we draw near to the Lord with steadfast faith. We do not turn away from the world; instead, we face it with the confidence that comes from knowing Who truly reigns.
The fundamental elements that uphold human society are fragile and can be easily disturbed. In contrast, the foundation of God’s kingdom remains eternally firm and steadfast. This reality shapes how we respond when the world trembles around us.
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3.11).
This is a break from Origen’s First Principles. I’m slow: it takes me a long time to wrap my head around something. Romans 7 and 8 are about our constant battle against our sinful nature. We have the side that wants to be holy and serve God, and we have the side that betrays our human weaknesses. It’s an awful existence in many ways. Even Paul said, “What a miserable person I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death?”
Then we get to 8.17 where Paul talks about suffering. I always assumed this was a shift in topic because he gets into stuff that won’t happen until Jesus returns. But since he spent the previous several paragraphs talking about our constant, sometimes-demoralizing struggle against sin, I don’t think this is necessarily about physical suffering.
God’s Spirit helps our spirit — our mind, emotion, intent, any aspect of being that can’t be measured — in that fight. There are outside influences in our struggle against sin, of course, but Paul really focuses on the stuff that hurts: our own sinful weakness. We hate that we’re weak. We’re ashamed of our failures. We’re “waiting for God to finish making us his own children…we are waiting for our bodies to be made free.”
In the meantime, we suffer. Maybe not physically — though in some places on this earth that’s a reality — but certainly spiritually. We know our faults and failures better than anyone. Our spirits, burdened by the knowledge of our own weakness, groan to God with pain too deep for words. And he helps us!
“We are very weak, but God’s Spirit helps with our weakness. We don’t know how to pray like we should, but the spirit speaks to God for us, begging on our behalf with groaning too deep for words.”
Guilt is a powerful weapon in the enemy’s hands, and we all have too much of it. The struggle and the pain is normal — it’s guaranteed for anyone who wants to be like God. It’s never going to happen in this life! We can’t ever be good like God! But we can try, and we can at least ensure that sin isn’t the master we serve. If you feel that pain, odds are you’re on the right track.
Right after this section, full of empathy and hope and reassurance and warning, Paul says,
“Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one! God is the one who makes them right.
Who can say that God’s people are guilty? No one! Christ Jesus died for us, but that is not all.
He was also raised from death. And now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love?”
The struggle and its pain is normal. It’s a sign that our hearts are set on something we won’t achieve until our bodies have been freed. God helps us, he understands, and we cannot let the enemy demoralize us into giving up. It’s harder to keep struggling against our sinful weakness, but it will be so worth it!
“But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Studies show that one of the most reliable indicators of longevity is a person’s grip strength. It is a great way to measure overall muscle conditioning, which is an indicator of overall nutrition, physical activity, and “disease profile.”
Neal Pollard
Studies show that one of the most reliable indicators of longevity is a person’s grip strength. It is a great way to measure overall muscle conditioning, which is an indicator of overall nutrition, physical activity, and “disease profile.” Muscle mass helps one fight the wear and tear of aging, and studies increasingly show that grip strength is a good “proxy” for a lot of other areas of a person’s health picture (source).
New Testament writers speak figuratively of the importance of a strong grip. Paul tells Thessalonica to “keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and in letter” (2 Th. 2:15, NLT). The word “grip” (“hold on to,” NAS) means to “retain in the hand, to seize” (Louw-Nida, 220). This word translated “hold” or “hold fast to” is found frequently in the gospels in a literal sense, often translated as “seize,” “arrest,” and “take hold of,” but also figuratively as “observing” something with zeal. John uses it with the seven churches of Asia to urge them to “hold fast” to their faith (Rev. 2:1, 13,14,15,25; 3:11). Twice, the Hebrews writer uses this word as a way of expressing endurance and faithfulness (4:14; 6:18). In other words, strengthen your grip!
There are a lot of ways to assess your spiritual grip strength:
Devotional time with God
Acts of service for others
Church attendance
Involvement in the church’s works
The bearing of the fruit of the Spirit
Godly and righteous speech
A Christlike attitude and spirit
Boldness to share Christ with others
The ability to resist gossip
Faithfulness in trials and hardships
Resistance to peer pressure
Focus on the needs of others
Of course, there are countless other measurements. But these are broad and representative of spiritual endurance. They challenge us to avoid being weak in faith, allowing ourselves to let go of Christ and the reward He has promised to those who hold on!
They say that grip strength for the hand can be measured and improved by squeezing a tennis ball at maximum strength for up to 30 seconds. Who hasn’t owned one of those hand grippers? For spiritual strength, search for ways like those listed above to hold to God’s unchanging hand!
“Her Savior was right there, but grief hid Him. We miss Jesus too, expecting Him to show up in a way WE want, instead of seeing Him in the Word, worship, or answered prayers. Mary saw a gardener, but His name was Jesus.”
Carl Pollard
I’m no gardener, but I’ve got one story of botanical triumph. In Alabama, I had a fire pit where I burned all sorts of junk—boxes, old couches, mattresses, you name it. One day, I threw in a box of rotten vegetables. Didn’t think much of it. But a few months later, three corn stalks were growing right out of that pit. Shallow roots on a plywood slab, pushing through a metal grate. I didn’t water or tend them, yet they produced nine whole kernels! I ate that corn, somehow didn’t get tetanus, and I’m still amazed.
Sometimes, where only death is expected, life is found.
In John 20:11-18 Jesus’ followers expected a dead body but found a living Savior. Mary Magdalene met a “Gardener” who turned her tears into purpose. Christ’s resurrection plants hope in barren places, calling us to share His life with a world in need.
Mary found the tomb empty and wept, thinking someone stole Jesus’ body. She’d stood at the cross (John 19:25), watched Him die, and now even His memory seemed lost. Her tears show what life would be like if Jesus stayed dead—a world without hope. Two angels asked, “Why are you crying?” but grief blinded her to God’s messengers. We do the same, dwelling on broken families or a culture that’s left God, missing what He’s doing. A 2024 Gallup poll says most Americans feel hopeless. If you’re in Christ, the empty tomb is our hope—rejoice in it!
Mary turned and saw Jesus but thought He was the gardener. Gardeners worked tombs early, so it made sense. He asked, “Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Her Savior was right there, but grief hid Him. We miss Jesus too, expecting Him to show up in a way WE want, instead of seeing Him in the Word, worship, or answered prayers. Mary saw a gardener, but His name was Jesus.
Jesus said, “Mary,” and she knew Him, crying “Rabboni!” (Teacher). All 4 Gospels make women the first resurrection witnesses. This was countercultural, and some rejected their claims (even the apostles). Skeptics like Celsus called Mary “hysterical.” But she was the perfect witness: she followed Jesus, heard His prophecies, watched Him die, and saw Him rise. He spoke her name, like the Good Shepherd (John 10:3), and it shows He knows your name, your pain, and calls you to life as your Great High Priest and Shepherd.
Jesus told Mary, “Go tell my brothers I’m ascending to my Father and your Father.” His resurrection makes God our Father. Mary ran to share the news. Only 10% of Christians regularly share their faith (Barna, 2021), but 1.6 billion people haven’t heard the gospel. Don’t hold onto safe faith—plant the seed of hope. Where death is expected, life is found. God will bring the increase.
Trust the Savior in barren places—brokenness, doubt, or pain. Jesus plants hope, as He did for Mary (John 16:33). Hear His call to repentance, baptism, or renewed commitment (Acts 22:16).
Plant hope boldly—share your faith, serve others, invite someone to worship with you. The harvest is ready, and it’s more than nine kernels.
Many Christians serve a “God of good times,” praising Him when life is easy. But the God of the Bible is bigger. When the fig tree fails, the vines are bare, and the fields are empty, will you get angry, give up, or rejoice?
Carl Pollard
Corrie ten Boom was born on April 15, 1892, in the Netherlands to a devout Christian family. Her father, Casper, ran a thriving watchmaking business. Their deep faith shaped their response to the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. The ten Booms joined the underground resistance, transforming their home into a safe haven for Jews and others persecuted by the Nazis. Using a hidden room in their house, they saved countless lives. Tragically, in 1944, a betrayal led to their arrest. Corrie and her sister Betsie were sent to a concentration camp, enduring brutal conditions. Betsie died there, and their father passed away in prison. Corrie survived and later wrote, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”
How could she say this after such devastating loss? Life often feels like a pit—barren, hopeless, empty. The prophet Habakkuk faced a similar pit in Judah, a nation crumbling under the threat of invasion. Yet, he wrote one of the Bible’s boldest declarations of faith in Habakkuk 3:17-19: though everything fails, “I will rejoice in the Lord.” Unlike most prophets who spoke for God to the people, Habakkuk spoke to God for the people, asking two questions we often wrestle with: “Why?” and “How long?” His story offers three vital truths for navigating life’s darkest moments.
The Reality of Fear (v. 16)
Habakkuk trembled when God revealed His plan: the Babylonians would bring judgment on Judah. “I hear, and my body trembles; my lips quiver at the sound; rottenness enters my bones; my legs tremble beneath me.” He knew destruction was certain—starvation, cannibalism, the ruin of Solomon’s temple, the end of his nation. The dread was so deep it made him physically weak. We’ve all felt fear like this—news of a tragedy, a diagnosis, or loss that shakes us to the core. Yet, Habakkuk chose to “quietly wait for the day of trouble” to come upon the invaders. God promised to judge the Babylonians and deliver His people, though not in Habakkuk’s lifetime. The Hebrew word for “wait” means to rest or settle down, like David’s soul finding rest in God (Psalm 62:1). Instead of letting fear consume him, Habakkuk anchored his heart in God’s promises. Can we trust God’s timing, even when we’re afraid?
The Choice of Joy (vv. 17-18)
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk describes total ruin in an agricultural society—permanent crops like figs and olives gone, annual crops like wheat vanished, livestock dead. This wasn’t just financial loss; it was famine, hopelessness, death. Yet, he declared, “I will rejoice in the Lord.” Like Job, who praised God after losing everything, Habakkuk’s faith didn’t rely on blessings. Satan once questioned if Job trusted God only because of His gifts. Job proved his faith was real, and Habakkuk does the same. True joy, rooted in Christ, can’t be taken away. When life strips everything else, can we choose to find joy in God alone?
The Strength to Rise (v. 19)
“God, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.” Habakkuk found strength not in himself but in God. Spiritual maturity means refusing to rely on our own resources. God gave him “feet like a deer’s” to walk confidently in difficult, high places—places he’d rather avoid. I’m terrified of heights; anything over 6’5” makes me weak. But God equips us to go where we wouldn’t choose, strengthening us for the journey. Sometimes, God strips away what we depend on to make Him our only joy. Faith says, “The just shall live by faith.” Habakkuk knew God would either rescue him or allow his death, but even death is under God’s control. Are we willing to let God lead us to higher places, trusting His strength?
Habakkuk had questions, and so do we. But faith rests in these truths: God is too wise to make mistakes, too kind to be cruel, and always in control.
A man once saw a butterfly struggling to escape its cocoon. Frustrated, he cut it open, only to watch it die, unable to fly. The struggle strengthens its wings, just as trials strengthen our faith. Many Christians serve a “God of good times,” praising Him when life is easy. But the God of the Bible is bigger. When the fig tree fails, the vines are bare, and the fields are empty, will you get angry, give up, or rejoice? “And yet, I will rejoice.” If you’re struggling to praise God, battling sin, or need to obey the gospel, trust His promises—they never fail. Let God lead you today.
To say that crisis is welcomed is inaccurate, but strength in suffering is one of the most faith-building examples we can find in others. I invite you to read a brief glimpse of one such example.
Brent Pollard
My recent stay in a long-term acute medical facility resulted in my return home on a ventilator. I was unable to entirely wean off the ventilator, as I had done successfully in 2021. As a result, I find it necessary to connect myself to the ventilator every night as I prepare to sleep. The ventilator helps me expel excess CO₂ from my body, which my restrictive lung disease makes challenging to do. Since returning home, I’ve become more aware of how much trust I need to place in my ventilator to avoid panic. Suppose you have ever remained conscious while on a ventilator; you may understand what I am saying. The device helps you breathe, but you must fully surrender and refrain from interfering with the machine’s operation on your behalf. Using a ventilator presents a significant learning curve, contradicting our natural inclination.
As I reflect on my new reality, I can’t help but think of an expression you’ve probably heard before: “Let go and let God.” Organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous used that expression in the middle of the twentieth century, but its origin is unknown. Although it is not rooted in a specific scripture, several passages in the Bible convey a similar sentiment. Here are some such passages:
Proverbs 3.5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (NASB95).
Psalm 46.10: “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NASB95).
1 Peter 5.7: “Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you” (NASB95).
Surrender is deeply complex. In the face of uncertainty about what lies ahead, the burden of expectation to solve every problem, and the unyielding grip of anxiety, we frequently overwork, cling more tightly, and eventually exhaust our resources. It is then we need to “let go and let God.” This expression does not advocate idleness or inaction; instead, it promotes a proactive faith. It takes faith to rely on the Divine’s strength, wisdom, and love to handle what is beyond our abilities. It represents a receptive and generous attitude, emphasizing openness over defensiveness.
By releasing, we make room for the divine to work. When we give up our efforts, we can begin to hear the Lord’s voice. As we release our burdens, we feel the comforting embrace surrounding us. Jesus invites us to experience this release.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11.28 NASB95).
Releasing is not the same as giving up—surrendering our control, not our hope. It represents giving up our fears, letting go of our timing, relinquishing our desired outcomes, and surrendering our sense of control. In this pursuit, we discover tranquility and divine peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4.7).
Surrendering our burdens to God ultimately opens us to a peace beyond comprehension. Faith in His intentions for our lives brings a profound sense of peace and confidence. He comforts our weary souls and assures us that He will bear our burdens if we seek Him out.
What burden are you still trying to carry on your own that God is inviting you to release today? Let go and let God! Let us find comfort in releasing our grip and welcoming the peace only He can provide.
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