What Is God Saying to Us Today?

Daily Office Readings – Thursday, July 16, 2026

Readings: Psalm 37; 1 Samuel 20:24–42; Acts 13:1–12; Mark 2:23–3:6

The psalmist offers both a warning and a promise:

“The Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that their day is coming.” (Psalm 37:13)

And later,

“The Lord knows the days of the righteous.” (Psalm 37:18)

There are times when it seems evil is winning. Good people suffer while those who abuse power appear to prosper. Stephen was martyred. James was executed. David became a fugitive. Jesus Himself would eventually be crucified. Yet today’s readings remind us that appearances are not the whole story. God is always at work, even when we cannot see it.

David’s life hung in the balance as Saul’s hatred grew stronger. Jonathan carried out the plan he and David had devised. By shooting arrows beyond the young servant and giving the agreed-upon signal, Jonathan warned David that he must flee. After the servant departed, the two friends embraced, wept together, and entrusted one another to God’s care. Saul’s rage had separated them physically, but it could not destroy the covenant of love and faithfulness that bound their hearts together.

In Acts, the Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to carry the good news beyond Antioch. Arriving in Paphos, they encountered Bar-Jesus, a magician who opposed their message and attempted to keep the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, from believing. For a time, it may have seemed that deception would triumph. Instead, God intervened. Bar-Jesus was struck with temporary blindness, and the proconsul believed when he witnessed both the miracle and the teaching about the Lord.

Human opposition could not prevent the gospel from advancing.

Mark’s Gospel records another confrontation. Jesus’ disciples picked grain on the Sabbath, and the Pharisees immediately accused them of breaking God’s law. Jesus reminded them that “the Sabbath was made for humanity, and not humanity for the Sabbath.” Later, He healed a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Before doing so, Jesus asked a searching question:

“Is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save life or to kill?”

The religious leaders remained silent. Their concern for rules had become greater than their concern for people. Rather than rejoicing that a man had been restored, they left the synagogue and immediately began plotting with the Herodians to destroy Jesus.

How tragic that hearts devoted to religion could become blind to the love of God standing before them.

Today’s readings remind us that God’s purposes are never defeated by human opposition. Saul could not stop David. Bar-Jesus could not stop the gospel. The Pharisees could not stop Jesus from bringing healing and life.

God is still at work today. We may not always understand His ways. There are moments when evil seems loud and righteousness seems weak. Yet Psalm 37 assures us that God sees the whole picture. He knows the end from the beginning. He upholds those who trust Him and accomplishes His purposes in His own time.

Perhaps God is asking us today: Will I trust His purposes even when I cannot yet see the outcome?

Faith is believing that God is working, even when the evidence seems hidden from our eyes.

Prayer

Faithful God, when I become discouraged by the power of evil or the injustice I see around me, remind me that Your purposes cannot be defeated. Give me the courage of Jonathan, the obedience of Barnabas and Saul, and the compassion of Jesus. Help me trust that You uphold the righteous and continue Your work, even when I cannot yet see how You are bringing good from difficult circumstances. Amen.