Purpose in the Pause

 November 2, 2026

Opening Prayer

God,

As we read your Word and reflect on our lives, quiet our hearts. Open our eyes to see your constant guidance, and grant us the understanding and trust we need to walk faithfully with you.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

Bible Reading

Psalm 37:13-14

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

 

Reflection

Throughout the Bible, there's a recurring theme of waiting—waiting for God's promises to unfold. The Old Testament people of God suffered through a lengthy slavery in Egypt before they experienced freedom. Their journey continued as they roamed the desert for over four decades before reaching the Promised Land. They anticipated the Messiah's arrival for four hundred years. And after Jesus' ascension, he left them with the promise of his return, a promise that remains unfulfilled.

Many of us, after a long wait, start to question whether the promises made by God will ever become reality. It's natural to wonder if perhaps they've been forgotten, or deliberately left unfulfilled. Doubting God's role as the "Promise Keeper" is a rather normal, human reaction to uncertainty and delay.

When we look at the waiting periods in the Bible closely, we see a different story. What we witness is God asking his people to wait, but he didn’t forget about them or revoke his promises at all. Waiting was and is an invitation to trust in God’s faithfulness during our waiting.

In Exodus 13:21–22 we read: “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.”

During this time, God's people had just left Egypt, experiencing the Exodus, and had now begun their wandering through the wilderness. In their waiting, we read that God led them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, so they always knew where to go and when.

This is a useful picture for our waiting process, I believe. Think about waiting times in this way: God may lead us away from a place he doesn't want us to stay, guiding us through the wilderness instead. In these moments, doubt may creep in about hearing God's voice or his plans for leading us to a better place. Yet, if we gaze intently—during the 'daytime' when the path is clear, or the 'nighttime' when the path is obscured—we can discern the truth: even amidst life's confusion and chaos, the Lord is continuously guiding us.

Wandering is never a simple path. When we are called to journey through the uncertainties of the wilderness, questions arise: How long shall we roam? To what destination are we bound? And how shall we discern the moment that we arrive at our destination?

Unless the Old Testament people were a lot different than most of us, they probably asked these questions, too. One of the things we see in their story is that this experience didn’t last forever. God was faithful, and God still was their guide. When their wandering concluded, God still led them to the Promised Land, despite the offenses along the way, and all the questions and doubts they had. God was a promise keeper!

Think about some of the decisions the people made in the wilderness. First, they worshipped a golden calf when God was right up the mountain near them, talking to their leader, Moses. Then, they complained about the food God prepared for them. Next, they directly disobeyed God’s plans for them, and the consequence was that they would wander for a much longer time as a result. Even after all of this, God still did not remove their covenantal blessings from them, nor the future he prepared for them of a land of promise. Instead, he rebuked and corrected them. Like a loving father, he showed them the correct path so they could "grow up" to be the people he wanted them to be.

This story reminds us that we can release our worries and anxieties. Just as God guided His people faithfully through the wilderness in the past, He will do the same for us today. Rest assured, He will never abandon us or revoke His promises. Instead, He uses this season of waiting to strengthen us, guide our steps, and shape us into deeper, more resilient people. As He leads us with His unwavering presence, our part is simply to trust Him, seek His guidance, and stay faithful. When we wait on God's promises, we will never truly lose our way.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for never leaving us alone in our wilderness seasons. When the path is uncertain, help us to look up and trust your constant guidance. Forgive our impatience and strengthen our hearts as we wait on your promises. Shape us through this season so that we emerge stronger, more faithful, and anchored in your love.

In Jesus' name, we pray.

Amen.

Application

Embrace the Wait: Instead of viewing waiting as wasted time, recognize it as an intentional season where God shapes your character and strengthens your faith. 

Standing on Solid Ground

October 30, 2026

Opening Prayer

Lord, as we read Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Teach us by Your Spirit, help us hear Your voice, and give us grace to live what we learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:12-14

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." 

Reflection

We conclude this week's devotions of looking at some outcomes of the period known as the Reformation. During this time believers sought to bring the church back to the truth of God's Word. Their goal was not to create something new, but to recover the gospel's beauty, clarity, and power. They called people away from trusting human traditions and back to trusting Jesus Christ.

The heart of that recovery is often summarized in the Five Solas:

Scripture alone is our final authority.
Grace alone is the source of our salvation.
Faith alone is how we receive Christ.
Christ alone is our Savior.
God's glory alone is the purpose of our lives.

These truths are more than historical statements. They are reminders of the foundation on which every Christian stands. God's Word still guides us. God's grace still saves us. Faith still rests in Christ alone. And our lives still find their highest purpose in glorifying God.

The Reformers understood that following Jesus is not about earning God's favor but responding to a grace already given. That same invitation comes to us today.

Both the scriptures and the leading voices of the Reformation challenged Jesus' followers to:  Return to God's Word. Trust the grace of Christ. Take the next faithful step toward renewal. 

As the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3, we do not press on to earn Christ's love. We press on because Christ has taken hold of us. And we do not walk this road alone. Together, we follow Jesus, fixing our eyes on the One who has promised to complete the good work He has begun in us.

Reformed by the Word. 

Set free by the Gospel. 

Following Jesus together.

Knowing that God isn't finished with us yet.

Remember the promise "He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

Prayer

Gracious Father,

We thank You for preserving Your truth through the centuries and for the faithful men and women who called the church back to Your Word during the Reformation. Thank You that our salvation rests not in our efforts, but in Your grace alone, received through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Help us to cherish Your Word, trust Your promises, and follow Jesus with humble and obedient hearts. When we stumble, remind us that You have taken hold of us and will never let us go. Strengthen us to encourage one another as we walk together in faith.

May our lives reflect the gospel we proclaim, and may everything we do point to Your glory alone.

We pray this in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Application

Make God's Word your first source of guidance. 

Rest in the fact that God's love is not earned, it is all GIFT!

Trust Christ daily, not just for salvation but for every circumstance. 

Keep Jesus at the center of your life. 

Live with a higher purpose by seeking to honor God in both the ordinary and extraordinary moments of life.

It Wasn't Me!!

It Wasn't Me!!

October 29, 2026 

Opening Prayer

Lord, as we read Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Teach us by Your Spirit, help us hear Your voice, and give us grace to live what we learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading

Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Reflection

Today, let’s reflect on the importance and value of God’s Word. One of the central convictions of the Protestant Reformation was Sola Scriptura — “Scripture Alone.” The Reformers believed that the Bible is our foundational authority for understanding who God is, what God has done for us in Jesus Christ, and how we are called to live. Scripture shapes not only what we believe, but also how we live out our faith.

Martin Luther, one of the key figures of the Reformation, was instrumental in bringing significant change to the Church. Yet, when reflecting on his influence, Luther is often remembered for this humble statement: “I did nothing. The Word did everything!” Rather than taking credit for the transformation that took place, Luther pointed to the power of God's Word to challenge, renew, and change hearts and lives.

There is an important lesson here for the Church today. Our vision, mission, ministries, and decisions must be shaped by the Word of God rather than simply by our own preferences, traditions, or ideas. We are not called to make God's Word fit our plans; we are called to allow God's Word to guide and reshape our plans.

The Reformation reminds us that the Word of God is not merely a book to study or a collection of teachings to preserve. It is God's Word to us — inviting us to know Christ more deeply, challenging us to examine our lives, and guiding us as we follow Jesus together.

As we read Scripture, may we approach it with open hearts and willing spirits. May we allow it to comfort us when we are weary, correct us when we have wandered, strengthen us when our faith is weak, and lead us into a deeper love for God and our neighbours.

Ultimately, the goal is not simply to know more about the Bible, but to be shaped by the God who speaks through it. As individuals and as a church, may we continue to be reformed by God's Word, allowing it to renew our faith and equip us to serve the world around us.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for the gift of your Word. Thank you that through Scripture, you reveal your character, teach us your truth, and guide us in the way of Jesus. May your Word challenge us where we need to change, encourage us when we are weary, strengthen us when our faith is weak, and lead us in living out your love each day.

As you did in the days of the Reformation, continue your work of renewal in us and in your Church. May we be shaped by your truth, grounded in your grace, and equipped for every good work. In the name of Jesus Christ, the Living Word, we pray.

Amen.

Application

What Does Scripture Say About Scripture?

Read the passage below and pay attention to what it teaches us about God's Word. Notice the key words and phrases that stand out to you. What questions does the passage raise? What does it reveal about the purpose, power, and value of Scripture — and how might it shape the way you live?

2 Timothy 3:15-17

“… from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Anchored! Yet on the Move

 October 28, 2026

A mighty fortress is our God,

a bulwark never failing.

Our helper he, amid the flood

of mortal ills prevailing.

Did we in our own strength confide,

our striving would be losing,

were not the right man on our side,

the man of God’s own choosing.

Dost ask who that may be?

Christ Jesus, it is he.

Lord Sabaoth his name,

from age to age the same,

and he must win the battle.

And though this world, with devils filled,

should threaten to undo us,

we will not fear, for God hath willed

his truth to triumph through us.

Let goods and kindred go,

this mortal life also.

The body they may kill;

God’s truth abideth still.

His kingdom is forever.

 

Martin Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"

Opening Prayer

Lord, as we read Your Word, open our hearts and minds to understand Your truth. Teach us by Your Spirit, help us hear Your voice, and give us grace to live what we learn. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Bible Reading

Psalm 46

 

God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
3 Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!

4 A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
5 God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
6 The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!

7 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

8 Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
9 He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.

10 “Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”

11 The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.

 

Reflection

It just doesn’t feel like Reformation season without reading Psalm 46 and singing “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” But when you hear words like "fortress" or "bulwark"—basically military strongholds and heavy defensive walls—it’s easy to picture things that are totally stuck, immovable, and locked down.

Yet, when we talk about the Reformation, we usually focus on the exact opposite: our call as followers of Jesus to constantly stay open to change, growth, and renewal. We look at Scripture, pay attention to the culture around us, and stay open to fresh moves of the Spirit. You could call these "Reformation Nudges"—those little pushes that remind us we're caught in the tension between celebrating where we’ve come from, trying to make sense of right now, and knowing we haven't reached the finish line yet. Like Paul said, we haven't "already arrived," but we keep pressing on.

So, why do we lean on Psalm 46 and Luther’s hymn each year at this time, when the Reformation message has so much to do with change?

Old Testament scholar James Mays hit the nail on the head when he wrote that the psalm doesn’t invite us to trust in a place, but in a Presence (Psalms: Interpretation, p. 185). Those images of walls and fortresses are not meant to portray God as some closed-off, stay-in-one-place statue. Instead, they’re meant to remind us that God's presence is constant and moves with us, even when everything else is shifting. Luther's hymn isn't meant to make us rigid; it actually gives us the courage to embrace change and face new challenges.

Think about it: if we genuinely believe God is walking right beside us through every twist and turn of life, doesn’t that completely change how we look at the future?

Even when change feels messy and confusing, when our own energy gives out, or when the world feels overwhelming, we do not have to panic. We are backed by a steady, abiding presence. Like the hymn says, "We will not fear, for God hath willed his truth to triumph through us."

God’s presence is the solid ground beneath our feet and the home we live in. That promise never changes, no matter what happens around us, because it’s anchored in the one person who matters most:

Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is he. Lord Sabaoth his name, from age to age the same.

Prayer 

O Mighty Fortress, bulwark of love and presence, open our eyes to the ways you travel with us. Open our hearts for the constant reforming and renewing work of your Spirit. Don’t let us grow content with what is, but give us vision for what, who, we might become as your people and as your church. Amen. 

Application

Create a Daily "Presence" Pause: Take 2 minutes each morning to acknowledge that you don't have to figure everything out today. Breathe out anxiety and remind yourself: 

God is walking through today's experiences right beside you.