Be Strong and Take Heart
Today’s Verse:
Psalm 31:24 NIV
Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Lord.
I apologize, in advance, for the use of un-devotional language, but cancer sucks. The disease. The treatment. What it all does to you. Every single bit of it sucks.
There are days, like today, when getting out of bed hurts. This morning, my body feels like it has been through a marathon run followed by falling out of an airplane without a parachute. Yeah, I feel that bad.
I opened my desk diary and read that the verse I chose for today was Psalm 31:24, written by King David, who went through plenty of heartache and pain. David calls us to strength and courage—but not in ourselves. Instead, David points us to the truth where our hope is grounded—in our Lord.
Life often feels overwhelming. We face challenges, disappointments, and uncertainties that test our endurance. It’s easy to grow weary, to let fear creep in, or to feel alone in the struggle. But David reminds us that those who hope in the Lord can find strength—not because of who we are, but because of who He is.
God has proven His faithfulness in Christ. Through the cross, Jesus has overcome the ultimate enemies of sin, death, and the devil. If God is for us, what can stand against us? This doesn’t mean life will be free of trouble, but it assures us that God is with us in every trial, supplying strength, courage, and peace.
So today, take heart. You are not alone. God sees your struggles, hears your prayers, and strengthens your weary heart, even the hearts of weary cancer patients.
Prayers
A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, I confess that I often feel weak and discouraged. Thank You for the gift of hope in Jesus Christ. Strengthen my heart today and fill me with the courage to face whatever lies ahead. Help me to trust in Your promises and to rest in Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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