What Is God Saying to Us Today?

Daily Office Readings – Monday, July 13, 2026

Readings: Psalm 25; 1 Samuel 18:5–16, 27b–30; Acts 11:19–30; Mark 1:29–45

One word echoes throughout today’s readings: grace.

The psalmist prays, “Remember not the sins of my youth… according to your steadfast love remember me” (Psalm 25). He reminds us that God is “gracious and upright.” Grace is not something we earn. It flows from God’s loving character.

Sometimes grace can appear unfair. Why does one person seem to flourish while another struggles? Today’s readings suggest that God’s grace is not favoritism but a response to hearts that are open to God’s purposes.

David is an example. After defeating Goliath, Saul entrusted him with military leadership. David served faithfully and won the respect of both the army and the people. Instead of rejoicing in David’s success, Saul allowed jealousy to take root. Fear replaced trust. Bitterness replaced gratitude. Saul even attempted to kill the very man who had delivered Israel.

The contrast is striking. David continued to act wisely and humbly, and he prospered. Saul, consumed by envy, became increasingly isolated and fearful. The difference was not God’s willingness to bless, but the choices each man made in response to God’s work.

The same pattern appears in Acts. Following the martyrdom of Stephen, believers were scattered by persecution. The authorities hoped to silence the movement of Jesus. Instead, the gospel spread farther than ever before. What seemed like defeat became an opportunity for new life. In Antioch, people from many backgrounds came to faith, and it was there that the followers of Jesus were first called Christians.

God’s grace often grows strongest in the very places where others expect it to fail.

Mark’s Gospel completes the picture. Jesus heals Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, restores many who are sick, and reaches out to touch a man with leprosy. In a world where lepers were avoided and excluded, Jesus moved toward the one everyone else avoided. His compassion crossed every barrier. Grace was not reserved for the worthy; it was extended to those who desperately needed it.

These readings remind me that God’s grace is remarkably resilient. Jealousy could not stop David. Persecution could not stop the gospel. Disease and social rejection could not stop the compassion of Jesus.

Perhaps God is asking us today: Will you choose the path of Saul or the path of David? Will you allow bitterness to rule your heart, or will you trust God’s gracious purposes even when you do not understand them?

Grace is never defeated. It continues to heal, restore, and transform those who are willing to receive it and share it with others.

Prayer

Gracious God, keep my heart free from jealousy, fear, and bitterness. Teach me to trust Your purposes, even when life seems unfair. May Your grace flow through me so that I become an instrument of healing, encouragement, and hope to everyone I meet. Amen.