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APRIL 17 THE LAW OF THE LORD His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water … and whatever he does shall prosper. PSALM 1:2–3 Obedience is a sure path to the heart of God. He delights in seeing His children find holy and right ways of living and then enjoy all the benefits of a righteous life. And while it’s true that even the obedient face challenges, they also find delight in the Lord’s blessings. As the psalmist wrote, they will flourish like well-watered trees. But how do we know how to obey Him? We begin with meditating on His Word, finding delight in His commandments, and then following them. It is just impossible to truly love and please God without also loving His revealed words. When we find our delight in heeding the “law of the LORD,” God delights in blessing us so that whatever we do shall prosper. Lord, open my eyes to the beauty and truth of Your Word so I shall be like a tree planted by the waters.

APRIL 16 FIRST THINGS FIRST “Seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.” LUKE 12:31 Food, clothing, shelter—these are the things we need in this world. But so often we get caught up in chasing after the “good” food, the “right” clothes, the “better-than-the Joneses’ ”houses. We care more about what others think of us and our stuff than what Jesus thinks of our souls. Jesus tells us to first “seek the kingdom of God,” and then everything else will fall into place. Consider those first disciples Jesus commissioned to tell the world about Him. They may have appeared ordinary, yet they were rich in their faith. As followers of Christ, we can be too. There’s no need to worry about the daily needs of life. When we seek Christ and His ways, He takes care of the rest. Father, the daily grind so easily tears my focus from You. Remind me that You will take care of all my needs.

APRIL 15 HE CHOOSES YOU Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? JAMES 2:5 In the divine economy of God, “poverty” has little to do with our paychecks. Rather in God’s eyes, to be “poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3) is to know that we cannot “do” this life without God. No amount of wealth or power will get us into heaven. So often worldly poverty is equated with spiritual riches. But worldly riches do not preclude a person from God’s kingdom. Abraham was righteous—and rich. David was a man after God’s own heart—and his kingly accounts were quite full. The trouble with earthly riches is that they tend to distract us from God and turn our focus to our bank accounts. But when we center our lives on loving God, we are promised all the spiritual wealth of His kingdom—no matter how rich or poor we are. Lord, let me not depend on the wealth of this world but rather turn to You as my greatest treasure.[1] [1] Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

APRIL 14 JESUS OVERCOMES ALL “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” JOHN 16:33 Jesus knew that not long after He spoke these words He would be arrested, tried, and crucified. He knew the disciples would run away and hide. He knew Peter would deny Him. But Jesus also knew He would not be alone; His Father would be with Him. Even knowing their betrayal was coming, Jesus was concerned for His disciples. He knew they would soon be confronted, ridiculed, beaten, and even murdered. But Jesus also knew that since the cross was coming, sin and death would be defeated. And the Spirit was coming—He would strengthen and sustain His disciples no matter what the world threw at them. That’s how Jesus could say, “Be of good cheer.” Because He knew He would overcome all that was coming. And because He did, we can too. Lord, You overcame all the troubles and temptations of this world. Help me overcome them too. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365 Day Devotional. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2023. Print.

APRIL 13 HEIRS OF GOD The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. ROMANS 8:16–17 Children of God. That is what we become when we choose to believe, to follow, and to obey Jesus. The Word tells us this is true: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). “The Spirit Himself bears witness” and whispers to our hearts that we do indeed belong to God. What does that mean exactly? It means we are siblings with Christ. Membership in His family brings gifts and honors we can barely comprehend. As coheirs with Christ, we will inherit the family kingdom! And beyond the divine inheritance, we receive the riches of our daily inheritance—the Father’s great love for His children. Lord, today I praise You for the daily inheritance of Your love. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365-Day Devotional. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018. Print.

APRIL 12 OUR SINS ARE GONE As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. PSALM 103:12 It’s not surprising that God is a geographical genius. After all, He created geography. Psalm 103:12 says that our sins are removed from us “as far as the east is from the west.” Notice that God says “east” and “west,” not “north” and “south.” That is because if you start traveling north around the globe, eventually you’ll crest over the top and find yourself going south. But east will never meet west. You can travel west until the end of time and never be headed east. Why does that matter? Because that is how far God has removed our sins from us. Just as east and west will never meet, so the believer and his sins will never again meet. Father, thank You for setting my sins so far away from me. Your mercies amaze me. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365-Day Devotional. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018. Print.

APRIL 11 NEVER ALONE “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” JOHN 14:18 Being alone—especially when the days are dark, when the troubles are many, when our world is overwhelming—can be a frightening thing. Perhaps that’s why this promise of Jesus is the source of such comfort and strength: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Jesus will never leave us all alone. Once we choose to become His followers, His children, we will never experience His abandonment, His being distracted, His forgetting our problems. He’s the Friend above all friends. Savor the joy of that promise: He comes to us via the Spirit of God. He makes His home within us so He is always close. He comes to guide, to teach, to intercede, to reveal. But He also comes simply to be with us, our Comforter and constant Companion. We are never left alone. Lord, when I am feeling lonely, stir Your Spirit within me; comfort me with Your constant presence. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365-Day Devotional. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018. Print.

APRIL 10 IT PLEASES OUR FATHER It pleased the Father … to reconcile all things to Himself. COLOSSIANS 1:19–20 It pleased the Father.” There are many beautiful promises centered around our reconciliation to God—the mercy, the grace, the cleansing of our souls, the place prepared for us in heaven. But perhaps the most breathtakingly beautiful thing about the reconciliation promises is the reason behind them: “It pleased the Father.” In Isaiah, the Lord said it this way: “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake” (43:25). Don’t underestimate the power of this simple statement. The Lord God—El Shaddai, Jehovah, Yahweh—washes away our transgressions for His own sake, because it pleases Him to do so. God does so much for us, blesses us with so many promises, but it’s this glimpse into His why that should make our hearts sing with joy. Lord Jesus, I’ll never understand the true depth of Your love, but I am so very grateful that it includes me. Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365-Day Devotional. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018. Print.

APRIL 9 HIS KINDNESS IS FOREVER How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you. PSALM 31:19 niv When we think of the great promises of God, we usually think of His gifts of salvation, mercy, and the forgiveness of sins. We consider our future heavenly home, our gathering with loved ones in the hereafter, an eternity of bliss. But how often do we think of the kindness of the Lord? God could have simply saved us from His wrath, given us a home in heaven, and declared Himself done. But He did not. God walks with us each day, watches over us each night, knows each hair on our heads and engraves our names upon His own hand as proof we are never out of His thoughts. Because of His covenant with us, He sends sunshine and rain, laughter and joy—not because He has to, but because God loves being kind to those who call Him Lord.   Lord, help me offer kindness to all who cross my path.[1]   [1] Countryman, Jack. God’s Promises Every Day: 365-Day Devotional. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2018. Print.