S – The Jews replied, “You aren’t fifty years old yet, and you’ve seen Abraham?” 

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.” 

So they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden^, and went out of the temple

John 8:57–59 CSB

O – Commentary:  

Jesus then affirmed His superiority over the prophets and Abraham. Abraham came into being; but when he was born, Jesus was already existing. I Am is a title of Deity (cf. Ex. 3:14; Isa. 41:4; 43:11–13; John 8:28); the Jews’ response (v. 59) showed they understood it that way. Jesus, because of His equality with God (5:18; 20:28; Phil. 2:6; Col. 2:9), existed from all eternity (John 1:1).

 Jesus’ clear affirmation of His deity evoked a crisis. They had to decide whether He was what He claimed or was a blasphemer.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Jesus confronts his accusers “straight up” affirming who He is.  This is where so many of us are today.  There are those who don’t want to call Jesus their Lord or Savior and won’t accept Him.  There are believers who accept Jesus as Lord but don’t want to yield certain areas of their lives.  The answer is total surrender.

R – Heavenly Father, we totally surrender all to you today.  You are who you say that you are – You are God and through Jesus, desire an intimate relationship today.  We give all areas to you to forgive sin and surrender the areas we want to keep.  You are worthy of all praise and honor. 

S – Then Saul had his own military clothes put on David. He put a bronze helmet on David’s head and had him put on armor. ³⁹ David strapped his sword on over the military clothes and tried to walk, but he was not used to them. “I can’t walk in these,” David said to Saul, “I’m not used to them.” So David took them off

 1 Samuel 17:38–39 CSB

O – Saul didn’t want to fight the giant even though he was the one most suited to fight him.  In sending out David, he insisted that the young man wear his armor.  David was wise enough to realize he couldn’t fight in someone else’s armor.  It didn’t fit, it didn’t work, it wasn’t him.

A – Even with the purest intentions from others, we need to know our gifts, talents and resources.  In comparison or emulating someone else, we surrender what God has endowed us with for our daily walk.  We need to know who we are, what gifts we possess and the calling on our life.  With those, we invite the Holy Spirit to lead us into victory each day.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you today.  You know every battle and challenge coming our way today.  You have given us so much to stand strong and defeat the enemy.  Help us walk in our calling and the confidence that comes from knowing you personally.  

S –  “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”

1 Samuel 16:7 CSB

O – When Samuel anointed Saul as king of Israel, it was noted that he was taller than everyone else and good-looking. It is understandable he would look for similar qualities in the next king.  God taught Samuel the importance of seeing as God sees.  In this case, a person’s heart is more important.

A – It is easy to confuse the outside with a person’s abilities and depth of character.  We are all visual.  We need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit to discern what is going on in the spiritual realm. Discernment will save us from bad decisions and judgments about others.

R – Heavenly Father, we recognize our weakness and surrender to you today.  Give us the ability to discern and bring context to conversations and situations today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to help us see things through your lens.  

S – The house of the righteous has great wealth, but trouble accompanies the income of the wicked. 

Proverbs 15:6 CSB

O – “wealth” – chôçen; wealth:— riches, strength, treasure

“Trouble” – âkar,  to roil water; fig. to disturb or afflict:— trouble, stir.

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

The wealth of worldly men increases their fears and suspicions, adds strength to their passions, and renders the fear of death more distressing. 

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

A – This verse doesn’t make a judgment on wealth.  Instead, it characterizes what is associated with a person’s income.  Righteousness yields a depth of strength and peace while wickedness is similar to boiling water that constantly strives, agitates and collides within itself.  Righteousness eliminates more drama in your life.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for the ability to make an income.  You bless us in so many ways.  We choose to submit to you today.  We invite your peace and wisdom to guard our minds and hearts from turmoil and fear in our finances.

S – So his brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea so that your disciples can see your works that you are doing. ⁴ For no one does anything in secret while he’s seeking public recognition. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ (For not even his brothers believed in him.) 

 John 7:3–5 CSB

O – Commentary:

It did not seem rational to Jesus’ brothers for Him not to show off His glory. If He really was what He claimed to be, they reasoned, He should publicly demonstrate it. They advised Him to display Himself in a powerful, brilliant way: Show Yourself to the world. But God’s way was a public display on a cross of humiliation. John explained that even His own brothers did not believe in Him. This sad note sounds again (cf. 1:10–11; 12:37). Proximity to Jesus, either in a family or as a disciple, does not guarantee faith.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Our walk with God is counter-intuitive to our logic sometimes.  It makes sense that if you want to save the world, you would “show yourself” in Jerusalem’s largest environment.  Instead, God’s plan was the cross.  Now, we see the brilliance of God’s strategy.  Do we trust and have faith when God’s plan doesn’t make sense?  We can know fully that God’s ways are best and for our good.

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender and worship you today.  Thank you for your plans and desires for us in our relationship with you.  We ask that the Holy Spirit continue to give us understanding as your plans unfold each day.  Let that develop into a deeper love and faith in you.

S – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

² Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe

Psalms 107:1–2 CSB

O – The psalmist brings out two concepts – gratitude and sharing one’s story.  Both are important to one’s walk with God.  

“redeemed” – gâ˒al,  to redeem, i.e. to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative’s property, marry his widow, etc.):— × in any wise, × at all, avenger, deliver, (do, perform the part of near, next) kinsfolk (-man), purchase, ransom, redeem (-er), revenger.

 The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

A – When we truly appreciate the price paid for our redemption, it should cause us to be grateful to God and want to tell others so they can be redeemed.  The word redeemed means to buy back.  We couldn’t do it ourselves.  We must not forget who purchased our sins.  We should share our story with others.  Each one is different and greatly impacts those in our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for Jesus redeeming us.  We could not save ourselves, so you sent your Son to pay the price.  We will share our story today so others can hear the good news.  Give us the courage to let others know of your love for them.

S – The people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. ²⁰ Then we’ll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us, and fight our battles

1 Samuel 8:19–20 CSB

O – Commentary:

God had set Israel apart from the nations (Lev 20:26; Num 23:9). By insisting on a king and desiring to be like the nations, they were rejecting God’s plan (see 8:5–7; cp. Deut 17:14). • judge us and lead us into battle: Kings performed three basic functions: (1) waging offensive and defensive war, (2) administering law, and (3) ensuring economic well-being

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – Israel rejected God’s plan.  How often do we do that?  Two things jump out of this scripture.  First, they wanted to be like other nations.  Comparison is an unhealthy way to live.  Learning from someone or an group is healthy.  Losing your identity to be like them is not healthy.  Secondly, they are bringing judgment on themselves.  This is inviting problems into their lives instead of eliminating them.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the source of who we are.  We want to grow and learn.  Keep us from comparing ourselves to others.  We want to accomplish the purpose and plan you set for us. Help us to avoid judging others.  Let us show your love in all situations today.

S – Therefore, when Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself. 

John 6:15 CSB

O – Commentary:

The people saw His sign, but they did not perceive its meaning. They wanted to seize Him and make Him King. This marks the highpoint of Jesus’ popularity and a great temptation for Him. Could He have the kingdom without the Cross? No. Jesus’ kingdom would be given to Him by the Father (cf. Ps. 2:7–12; Dan. 7:13–14). It will not come from this world (John 18:36). The path of the Father’s will lies in another direction. Before He can be the reigning Lion of Judah, He must be the Lamb who bears the sin of the world

  “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – After an amazing miracle, the people wanted to make Jesus their king.  The temptation to allow this must have been great.  Jesus didn’t want to give up his true kingship for a “substitute.”  We don’t want to trade God’s plan for our own.  The “victory” may be for this season but God has the eternal perspective.  

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender our will to yours today.  We want to know the true purposes and calling you have for us so a substitute does not sway us.  Give us the discernment and understanding necessary to know and follow your truth.

S – A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30 CSB

O – Commentary:

A person’s emotions affect his physical condition, as it is well known today (cf. 15:13, 30; 17:22; 18:14). A heart at peace (or, “a mind of health,” i.e., a healthy disposition) helps produce a healthy body, but envy, an ardent agitating desire to have or achieve what one sees in others, produces adverse effects physically

“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – When we walk in peace, it affects us in a good way.  We wouldn’t say we envy others because that seems too strong.  But, comparison to others that causes us to want something or be like someone else is just as bad.  God wonderfully created each of us and endowed us with our own gifts, talents and personalities.  We can walk in peace that God has given us all we need to have an amazing life!

R – Heavenly Father, thank you all for blessing us today.  We are equipped to do your will and purposes.  We invite your Spirit to lead us and give us wisdom.  We will fix our eyes on you and enjoy a heart of peace.

S – One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 

John 5:5–6 CSB

O – Commentary:

thirty-eight years The man’s age is unknown, but he had been sick for longer than many people lived in antiquity.

sickness The Greek term used here, astheneia, refers to any kind of debilitating condition. Since the man is unable to move into the pool on his own (v. 7), it’s assumed that he is either disabled or paralyzed.

Faithlife Study Bible

Do you want to get well? was designed to focus the man’s attention on Him, to stimulate his will, and to raise his hopes. In the spiritual realm man’s great problem is that either he does not recognize he is sick (cf. Isa. 1:5–6; Luke 5:31) or he does not want to be cured. People are often happy, for a while at least, in their sins.

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – We are similar to the disabled man.  We create routines and patterns in our lifetime that cause us to get stuck in our thinking and actions.  Our relationship with Jesus causes our focus to shift from ourselves to Him.  He will not force us to change.  He asks – “Do you want to align with My character, thinking and actions?”  The choice is ours.

R – Heavenly Father, thank you that you cause us to look at You alone. You are God and there is no other. Give us the courage to break from our routines and habits that draw us away from you. In You, there is the miraculous, peace and hope.