READ: ISAIAH 49:15-16; ROMANS 8:35-39

Have you ever wondered, “Where is God now? Doesn’t He love me?” Isaiah 49:15-16 presents one of the most beautiful expressions of God’s everlasting love in all of Scripture. God contrasts His love with one of the closest of human bonds: that of a mother with her nursing child. As unlikely as it is, a woman could forget her child. Yet God says He will never forget us. Then God says He has inscribed us—some translations even say “tattooed” us—on the palms of His hands!

Why is this significant? Because our palms contain some of the most sensitive areas of skin on our bodies. Getting a tattoo on your palm is not only extremely painful, but it can also take weeks or even months to heal.

When God says, “I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands,” He is using figurative language to say that He would go to the excruciating pain of having our names tattooed on His palms so that we would be ever before His face. Isn’t that incredible?

And it gets even better. This Scripture points forward to Jesus. God loves us so much that He took on human flesh and went through the excruciating pain of the cross to be with us. And Jesus’s hands still bear those scars.

If you know Jesus, you can rest assured that your name is permanently inscribed on God’s palm. This represents all of you—your fears, loneliness, circumstances, desires, and dreams. Everything that concerns you is always before Him.

Because…He loves you. • Cheryl Elton

• Can you think of a time God’s love felt distant? We all experience times like these, but the truth is God wants to be with us. Our sin separated us from God, yet Jesus came to endure the pain of the cross so our sins could be forgiven and we could have an intimate and lasting relationship with Him. How could it be helpful to meditate on this good news through Scriptures like today’s?

• In Psalm 42, David struggles with acknowledging God’s love while feeling far from it, even crying out to God, “Why have you forgotten me?” (verse 9). How can David’s raw lament in this psalm provide comfort to us?

• If you want to dig deeper, read Isaiah 53:5-6; John 3:16; 14:18; 20:24-27; Hebrews 13:5.

“Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16 (CSB)

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 13; 1 JOHN 4:19

Gunshots—they were distant, but the sound jolted through Kor’s body like bolts of lightning. He knew with every shot, another of his comrades could fall.

CRACK! His friend Finn was going to be a doctor.

CRACK! Mika dreamed of being a professional athlete.

CRACK! Zade just wanted to get home.

In the trenches, Kor always thought about how many were lost, praying that he wouldn’t be next.

“Fight the good fight, Kor,” his dad had said before boarding the military jet.

“There is no greater love…” his mother had said tearfully when they got the news that Dad wouldn’t be coming home.

“You’re my hero,” his little brother had declared, the first time Kor tried on his uniform.

“You know,” Kor had answered, “I’m fighting for lives that have already been saved by someone else. Jesus is the real hero.”

Kor froze at the memory. Without Christ, there was no hope. He glanced at the others around him, crouched in the shadow of the trenches. Did Finn, Mika, and Zade know?

Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, an object whistled through the air and hit the dirt with a thud: a grenade.

Kor’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at the weapon about to destroy a trench full of soldiers. The memories swirled around him like a blur of silver stars in the blackness: “Fight the good fight.” “There is no greater love…” “You’re my hero.” Then, he thought of a night long ago, of dropping to his knees, asking for forgiveness, and putting his trust in Christ.

“Is Jesus your hero?” his little brother had asked.

Kor stood and began to run.

“You bet.”

Others needed to know Him. They needed what Kor already had. He jumped through the air, crossing the last few paces in a moment.

They needed hope.

He threw himself onto the grenade. An explosion shook the ground. • Anita Seavey

• Today’s fictional story provides a poignant picture of the kind of love Jesus has for us—a love so strong that, once we’ve experienced it for ourselves, we are compelled to love others. Have you ever experienced a sacrificial love like this? What was that like?

• Romans 5:7-8 says, “Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” When Jesus died on the cross, He sacrificed His life for us so that we could be forgiven for our sins. And when He rose from the dead, He made the way for everyone who puts their trust in Him to become God’s friend and live with Him forever (verse 9-10). What questions do you have about what it means to know Jesus? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could talk to about this? (You can also find out more on our "Know Jesus" page.)

• When we know Jesus, we have confidence that death is not the end for us and that Jesus will be with us no matter what. How could this hope give us courage when we find ourselves in difficult situations? (Romans 8:35-39; 1 Timothy 6:11-12; Revelation 21:1-5)

[Jesus said,] “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 (NLT)

READ: PSALM 96:2-3; MATTHEW 28:19-20; ROMANS 10:9-15

When I was a young teen, I really wanted to go on a mission trip. And I mean really wanted—I read missionary biographies, researched unreached people groups (communities who have never even heard of Jesus) and was sure that when I grew up, I too would serve God in some far-off place. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work out that way. In my first few years of high school, I tried to go on four different mission trips—but each time, for one reason or another, when the plane left, I wasn’t on it.

One day, though, I learned something that completely changed my perspective. Did you know the nation that receives the most missionaries each year is the United States of America? Yes, you read that right: the country I call home also happens to be where other countries send the most missionaries. Because it isn’t just people on the other side of the world who need Jesus—so do the people I see at the mall and sit with in class, and the same is true for you. No matter where you live, there are likely people around you who haven’t heard the gospel—who don’t know that God loves them, and that He sent Jesus to set them free through His death and resurrection.

So, while I would still love to spread the gospel in distant lands, it transformed my entire mindset when I realized that I don’t have to get a passport to be a missionary—and I shouldn’t wait until I grow up either. When I go to school or the grocery store or the doctor’s office or sports practice, if I go wanting to share God’s love and truth with the people I’ll encounter, that’s a mission trip! Jesus commanded His followers to take the gospel into all the world, and that includes my neighborhood—and yours too! • Faith Lewis

• The word gospel literally means good news. Once we’ve received this gift ourselves, Jesus has given us the responsibility and privilege of sharing the news with others. Yet, even after we’ve experienced the love of Jesus in our lives, sharing it can still feel intimidating. We may wonder how best to do it and worry about how people will respond. Remember though, God has promised to be with us and give us courage and wisdom. In the end, He’s the only one who can change a person’s heart, which means there’s no pressure. As we show His love and share the truth, we can trust Him with the outcome (1 Corinthians 3:6-8; Ephesians 4:15). Can you think of any opportunities you might have to be a missionary right where you are? Consider taking a moment to ask God for boldness and the words to say when the time comes (Acts 4:23-31; Ephesians 6:19-20).

He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)

READ: MALACHI 3:1; 4:5; MARK 1:1-3; LUKE 1:11-17

The book of Malachi in the Bible contains an oracle, or a message from God. The name Malachi means “my messenger,” and it’s the last book in the Old Testament. It’s God’s final message to His people before 400 years of silence.

By the time the prophet Malachi came on the scene, about a century had passed since the first Israelites returned from the seventy-year exile in Babylon. This exile was a consequence of their disobedience and unfaithfulness to God.

Shortly after their return to Jerusalem (538 BC), they began reconstruction on the Temple, which took about 20 years to complete (we read about rebuilding the Temple in the books of Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, and Zechariah). But it only took a few decades before the priests and the people became complacent in their worship and neglectful in the care of the Temple, as well as in their observances, duties, and devotion to God. Once again, God’s people had become disobedient and unfaithful. And once again, God sent yet another prophet, Malachi (around 430 BC), to call His people to repentance and restoration of their relationship with God.

Malachi uses questions and answers from God, much like how a teacher uses questions and answers to get students to think and help them learn lessons. And like a loving parent, Malachi begins with God’s affirmation: “I have always loved you” (Malachi 1:2).

After confronting the priests and people about their sins relating to worship, sacrifices, lifestyles, tithing, and twisting the truth, Malachi proclaims hope. As we read Malachi 3:1, we see God’s prophecy and promise to send a messenger who will prepare the way for the coming Messiah.

When God’s 400 years of silence ends, we read in the New Testament about the fulfilled prophecy of Malachi. The messenger, John the Baptist, has come telling God’s people, once again, to repent of their sins. And as foretold, John proclaims the good news about the promised Messiah, Jesus, who will forgive sins and provide the way to spend eternity with Him. • Lynda Boucher

• Isn’t it amazing to think that God kept His promise 400 years after He made it? What can this show us about God’s character?

• What questions do you have about the book of Malachi? Who could you talk to about it?

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 (NLT)

READ: 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-5; 6:3-10; 10:3-5

"God won’t give you more than you can handle,” many well-meaning people have said. However, when you’re going through that dark night of the soul—such as the death of a loved one, an unexpected diagnosis, or other deep pain—this saying does not ring true. Why does God allow these hard things we don’t, and may never, understand? Is He even still good?

Whenever I read the words of the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 6, I feel comforted. He endured so many hard things for the sake of Christ, including beatings, prison time, and hunger. Instead of making light of his trials, Paul acknowledged them for what they were: painful!

But what gave Paul the endurance and the ability to stand up under his troubles? The answer is in verse 7: “the power of God.” He relied on God to give him strength.

As children of God, we belong to Jesus. Paul says we have His power to demolish strongholds. We have the Holy Spirit’s help to take our every thought captive and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Even though Satan would like to keep us in our place of pain, sorrow, and discouragement, he doesn’t have the final word—because Jesus Christ has defeated sin and death through His own death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12-26; 1 Peter 2:22-25).

Perhaps you feel like Paul felt many times, beaten and broken. Be encouraged, for you are not alone. If you know Jesus, He has given you His power and He is with you! • Savannah Coleman

• You or someone you love may be in a place of deep pain and sorrow right now. We live in a broken, sin-filled world, and God never promised an easy life, but He did promise that He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20). How could it be comforting to know that Jesus, the God of the universe who went to the cross for you, will never leave or abandon you? (Deuteronomy 31:8)

• Do you ever feel like God doesn’t want to hear about your troubles and your pain? God loves you and wants you to share the good, the bad, and the ugly—your joys, and even your cries of anger (1 Peter 5:7). What are some things weighing on you that you’d like to share with God?

• The Bible never says, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” The closest verse we have is 1 Corinthians 10:13, which is about God providing a way to withstand every temptation. When we hear sayings that don’t ring true, how can we examine the Bible for ourselves?

By the word of truth, by the power of God; through weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left. 2 Corinthians 6:7 (CSB)

READ: ROMANS 5:1-11; EPHESIANS 2:1-10; TITUS 2:11-14

God’s ability to rescue and transform is incredible. “I once was lost, but now am found,” wrote John Newton in his famous hymn “Amazing Grace,” and these striking words weren’t simply for dramatic effect. Newton had experienced God’s grace—His undeserved kindness— firsthand, and his story is a beautiful example of God’s power.

Newton was born in England in 1725. His mother was a Christian, but after her death, he spent much time at sea with his father and abandoned his mother’s godly teachings. Eventually, he joined the crew of a slave ship, where he embraced a rough lifestyle.

However, God was still pursuing Newton. One day, a storm arose at sea, and Newton was terrified. Realizing he was a sinner unworthy of help, he nevertheless cried to God for mercy, and he was spared. That very day, he turned back to God.

That wasn’t the end of God’s grace in Newton’s life, though. When he was twenty-nine, illness forced him back to land, where he sought God earnestly and threw himself into ministry. He was soon ordained as a minister and then started writing hymns. Later, he felt called to pastor a church in London, and many people came to hear him preach about the grace that had saved him. As he grew spiritually, he also repented of his part in the British slave trade and began to oppose it passionately.

All his life, Newton remained awed by God’s love and kindness toward him— that God would not only rescue a poor sinner, but would continue working in and through him to reach many people. Newton’s story shows that because of Jesus’s death and resurrection, no one is too far gone. God can save and change anyone. Like Newton, we are all sinners unworthy of rescue. And God offers us the same amazing grace that transformed John Newton’s life. • Faith Lewis

• History is full of stories of sinners who God saved, just like John Newton, just like us. Jesus lived, died, and rose again to make the way for anyone to come to Him. No one is beyond His reach. And salvation is only the beginning of God’s grace—after we place our trust in Jesus, He continues to transform and work through us for the rest of our lives. We still struggle with sin, but when we rely on God’s grace instead of our own efforts, He can do great things in and through us. How have you seen God’s grace at work in your life? What about the lives of others?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23-24 (NIV)

READ: PSALM 119:10-16, 50-52, 103

I used to have crippling anxiety during violin recitals because I put too much pressure on myself to nail every note in front of an audience. No matter how well I knew the music, my fingers, arms, and legs would shake uncontrollably. Instead of playing the beautiful flowing melody I spent months learning and rehearsing, my performance would be choppy and somewhat screechy. It would crush me every time.

But I finally learned how to tackle this anxiety—I would memorize my music. Through the process of memorizing, I would know the music so well that I wouldn’t need to think about it while playing on stage. I could simply close my eyes and let my violin sing. I could even pray while playing! And I stopped feeling so anxious at recitals.

Violin recitals aren’t the only things that have made me anxious. Tests at school, trying out for sports teams, and having hard conversations with friends—just to name a few—have made me anxious. But, like I’ve learned that memorizing music calmed my anxiety during recitals, I learned that memorizing God’s Word calms my anxiety throughout everyday life.

In Psalm 119, David says, “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word” (verse 15-16). Memorizing God’s Word helps us focus on Jesus and what He has done for us, especially in times when we feel anxious and our minds easily stray from the truth.

Memorizing my violin music helped my mind and body calm down because I didn’t have to overthink what I was doing—the music was engraved in my mind and heart. God’s Word is like that too. When we carve His Word on our hearts, we often find that anxiety-inducing situations are not as overwhelming. Though we’ll all have times when we experience anxiety in our bodies and minds—that is, until the day Jesus returns—we don’t have to go through it alone. Jesus is with us, and He helps us relax as we join in the music of His truth. • Rachel Wierenga

• We all feel anxious from time to time, but God has so much compassion on us, and He wants to help us through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Do you have any favorite Bible verses that help you when you feel anxious? Consider choosing one to memorize this week.

• Who is a trusted Christian in your life you can talk openly with when you feel anxious? If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. Psalm 119:15-16 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 32:1-11; 139:7-10; JEREMIAH 17:7-8

Sometimes, when God seems silent, it’s easier to ask, “Where is God?” than to consider what the silence really means.

There are so many stories in the Bible of God working through people in major ways. Moses led thousands out of slavery, Joseph saved entire nations from starvation, not to mention Jesus—God in human flesh—made the way to save the world from sin and death.

What we often ignore are the stories before the story. God took Moses to the wilderness of Midian before sending him before Pharaoh. Joseph was taken to the figurative wilderness of slavery before becoming a great leader in Egypt and saving the lives of countless people during a famine. Jesus fasted in the wilderness for forty days before starting His ministry, which would culminate in His death on the cross and victorious resurrection.

Often, God takes people through a wilderness before working in their lives. The key word here is through. He doesn’t just take people to the wilderness and leave them there. No, the wilderness is a training ground. And training grounds are meant for us to pass through, not to stay in. In His faithful timing, God will lead us not just to the wilderness, but through it.

Wildernesses can feel like valleys of isolation and silence. But remember that even in the valley, the Holy Spirit is growing our roots into Jesus Christ. So, if God seems silent, draw in close to Him. Closeness with God requires dropping our walls and getting silent sometimes. It’s often in the silence that we hear God’s truth and experience His love in new and profound ways. As we hear truth, we are trained in truth. And it’s only after we’ve been trained that we can confidently go out from the valley—and onto the battlefield.

Psalm 32:7 says God surrounds us with “shouts of deliverance.” So, embrace the valley for the training ground it is, then go out with the confidence that comes from resting in Jesus’s love—God’s shouts of deliverance leading the way! • Sarah Rexford

• Can you think of a time God used a valley in your life to deepen your relationship with Him and teach you new things about the good news of Jesus? What happened?

• Has God seemed silent to you lately? Consider taking a moment to talk to Him about this.

• If you want to dig deeper, read Genesis 37; 50; Exodus 2–3; Romans 5:1-5; 8:31-39; 2 Corinthians 10:1-5; Ephesians 6:10-20; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:12-19.

He led his people in the wilderness. His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 136:16 (CSB)