There seems to be no shortage of storms in the world right now. Glance at the headlines, and you will soon discover storms coming at us from all directions. Inflation, personal safety being at risk, and the like are causing storms. While it may be a particularly stormy time, storms are nothing new to life.
Proverbs suggests we build our lives on a firm foundation to survive these storms. Solomon writes in 10:25, “When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the Godly have a lasting foundation.”
How do we build this foundation?
Develop a relationship with the Lord by spending time in the Bible.
Seek wisdom through prayer.
Search the Scriptures for answers to life’s questions.
Always strive to do what is right.
Building on this foundation is not easy, but it is worth the effort involved. Jesus tells a parable of two builders. The first builder did not take the time to dig through the sand to place his home on a rock foundation, while the second builder dug through the sand to rest his home on a rock foundation. A storm came, and flood waters rose. The first house was swept away, but the second house stood, unmoved by the tumultuous waters.
As we are weathering a stormy time, how firm is your foundation? Do you need to allow the Lord to add stability?
Have you ever wished you could go back and change something in your past? Maybe it was a decision you regret, words you wish you could take back, or an opportunity you let slip away. Many of us spend far too much time replaying yesterday’s failures and wondering what could have been. While reflection can help us grow, living in the past can leave us discouraged and stuck. Thankfully, God does not call us to live looking backward. In Philippians 3, Paul reminds us to let go of what is behind and press forward toward the future God has prepared for us.
In Philippians 3, Paul writes, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection, but I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing – forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the Heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus is calling us.”
We are encouraged to narrow our focus in two ways.
Forgetting what is behind.
This may be hard for us to do. We cannot allow the past to absorb and control our present and future.
We cannot get hung up on what we have already achieved. There’s still more work for us to do.
We cannot allow mistakes we have made to beat us down. In his grace, the Lord will help us move beyond mistakes.
Looking ahead.
We should look ahead to what is coming; our concentration should be on the Heavenly prize awaiting us.
Keeping our focus on the future rather than the past will give us the motivation to press on. Our Heavenly prize awaits us at the finish line.
How can we press on today?
Start the day with gratitude instead of regret. Before thinking about yesterday’s failures, thank God for a new day and fresh mercy. A grateful heart helps shift our attention from the past to the opportunities in front of us.
Learn from mistakes without living in them. Ask yourself, “What can this teach me?” instead of repeatedly replaying what happened. Reflection can help us grow, but dwelling on failure can keep us stuck.
Refuse to define yourself by past successes or failures. Some people live in shame over past mistakes, while others cling to former accomplishments. Both can keep us from growing. Ask God, “What do You want me to do today?” instead of living in yesterday.
Take one small step forward. Moving ahead often happens through small acts of obedience. Make the phone call, apologize, begin the project, serve someone, pray, or spend time in God’s Word. Progress usually comes one step at a time.
Fill your mind with God’s truth. When regrets begin to dominate your thoughts, replace them with Scripture. Passages like Philippians 3 remind us that God calls us forward, not backward.
Keep eternity in view. Paul compared life to a race with a Heavenly reward waiting at the finish line. Remembering that our ultimate hope is in Christ helps us endure temporary disappointments and setbacks.
Give yourself grace while continuing to grow. Paul admitted he had not “already achieved” perfection. Growth is a process. God is still working in us, even when we feel unfinished.
Today, we have a choice. We can keep replaying the disappointments, failures, and regrets of yesterday, or we can move forward in the grace and purpose God has given us. Paul reminds us that the Christian life is not about being perfect; it is about pressing on. God is not finished with us yet. The past may explain where we have been, but it does not have to determine where we are going. Because of Christ, there is still hope to embrace, growth ahead, and a Heavenly prize waiting at the finish line. So don’t stay stuck looking behind you. Fix your eyes on Jesus, take the next faithful step forward, and keep pressing on.
“I’m between a rock and a hard spot” is a phrase I’ve heard often. It is said amid challenges when there is no easy answer. Have you ever been there?
Challenges come in all sizes. Job losses, financial hardships, illnesses, and family struggles are just a few. Whether big or small, challenges find us on a recurring basis. The Bible offers encouragement for these moments.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
In Batteries Included, I was recently reminded of this by David’s Daily Dose. He writes, “God’s provision isn’t just about personal convenience; it’s uniquely functional–down to the smallest detail. He provides the strength, resources, and peace necessary so that you and I can focus entirely on our heaven-sent mission.” Thanks, David, for this reminder the Lord doesn’t leave us on our own to figure out life.
As we face challenges today, remember, the Lord will guide us. He will ensure we have all that is needed.
Pip: Get Encouraged is a site that does exactly what it says on the label — which, in a media landscape built on outrage, is either quaint or quietly radical.
Mara: Chris Miller has been writing this week about some genuinely old questions: how we live alongside people who are different from us, what we do when we fail, and whether Scripture can actually hold up as a guide through all of it.
Pip: Let's start with harmony and what it actually costs to pursue it.
Living Together on Purpose
Mara: The tension here is real: harmony sounds like a nice idea, but the posts push on what it actually requires — not agreement, but a deliberate choice to pursue unity across difference.
Pip: David puts it in Psalm 133, and the image is striking. The quote reads: "How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony. For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head."
Mara: So harmony isn't passive — it's described as something precious, even sacred. The practical upshot is that it requires effort: listening first, seeking understanding over winning, choosing to forgive.
Pip: The Power of a Servant's Heart lands in the same territory — Jesus redefining greatness as service, which is basically harmony's operating system. Both posts are asking the same uncomfortable question: are you contributing to unity or quietly working against it?
Mara: And that question about what we're building toward connects directly to failure — because pursuing harmony or servant leadership means you will stumble.
When Stumbling Is Part the Story
Mara: The posts here sit with a question most of us avoid: what do failure and fulfillment actually have to do with each other?
Pip: Overcoming Failure: Lessons from History's Successes opens the answer with a list — Babe Ruth, Robert Frost, Winston Churchill, Oprah — and then lands on Max Lucado: "Though you've failed, God does not. Face your failures with faith and God's goodness."
Mara: That's the turn. Failure is not the end of the story; it's a data point inside a longer one. The Psalmist in 37:23-24 puts it plainly: "Though they stumble, they never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand."
Pip: What I find useful about that framing is it doesn't minimize the stumble. It just refuses to let the stumble write the conclusion.
Mara: Finding True Fulfillment: Lessons from Solomon takes the other side of that coin. Solomon had everything — wisdom, wealth, influence — and still ran the experiment on every path life could offer.
Pip: And the experiment came back negative. Pleasure, accomplishment, possessions — meaningless, he says, unless the Lord remained central. That's not a small conclusion from someone who actually had the resources to test the premise.
Mara: Ecclesiastes 12:13 is where he lands: "Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty." What the post draws out is that this is actually freeing — you don't have to keep chasing things that were never designed to satisfy.
Pip: Which is a more useful reframe than it sounds. If Solomon already ran the trial, you don't have to replicate it.
Mara: Both posts are making the same underlying argument: the thing you're afraid of — failure, or the emptiness after success — doesn't have to be the final word.
Pip: And if the conclusion is that Scripture anchors you through both, that's exactly where the next set of posts picks up.
Scripture as a Compass, Not a Relic
Mara: The question these posts press on is whether God's Word is actually functional — not just historically significant, but useful today, in real decisions.
Pip: Unlocking Wisdom: The Benefits of God's Word from Psalm 119 makes the case directly. Verse 105: "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path."
Mara: The practical point is that a lamp only helps if it's on. Navigating Life's Storms with God's Word makes that concrete through Shackleton's Antarctic expedition — a crew navigating 800 miles of open ocean using only a compass and a sextant, and Scripture functioning the same way through uncertainty. Building Life on a Foundation You Can Trust grounds all of it in Psalm 111: fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom, and that wisdom is expressed through obedience, not just knowledge.
Pip: Three posts, one consistent claim — the Word isn't decorative. It's load-bearing.
Mara: Harmony, failure, fulfillment, wisdom — these posts keep returning to the same underlying question: what are you actually building on?
Pip: And whether the foundation holds. More on that next time.
They came from a variety of backgrounds and places. Some were of Jewish descent while others shared a different heritage. Some were poor and could barely make ends meet while others had plenty of wealth. They lived in different locations and celebrated different cultures. They were a diverse people, but they received the same promise.
They received the promise presented by Christ. That is, forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God through grace. This was the same promise for everyone.
Paul writes to the Galatians in chapter 3, “So in Christ Jesus, you are all children of God through faith. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ than you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs, according to the promise.”
The promise was offered to everyone and the only deciding factor was acceptance. The Lord only looked at the heart and nothing else.
The Lord has not changed. He still only looks at the heart and nothing else. You and I may be part of a diverse group of people, but the promise made to us is the same. We come from a wide variety of backgrounds and places, but we can share in the Lord’s grace.
The Bible challenges us to look at one another’s heart rather than outward appearance.
How can we do this today?
Intentionally speak to someone different from you. Start a conversation with someone you might not normally approach. Differences in age, culture, income, education, or background do not diminish a person’s value before God.
Examine your first impressions. When meeting someone new, ask yourself, “Am I making assumptions based on appearance, clothing, accent, occupation, or social status?” Challenge yourself to see people the way God sees them.
Remember your own need for grace. It is easier to show grace to others when we remember how much grace we have received. None of us earned God’s promise; it was given through Christ. Keeping this in mind helps us avoid pride and favoritism.
Welcome others into your circle. Invite someone to join you for coffee, lunch, a church activity, or a conversation. Many people feel isolated or overlooked. A simple invitation can communicate the love of Christ.
Focus on spiritual identity first. When you encounter fellow believers, remember that your deepest connection is not politics, nationality, race, income level, or personal preferences. Your shared identity in Christ is what unites you.
Look for opportunities to serve. Serve someone without expecting anything in return. Acts of kindness remind us that every person is valuable to God and worthy of love and respect.
Today’s Challenge
Choose one person today whom you might normally overlook. Learn their name, hear part of their story, or encourage them in some way. As you do, remember that the same grace that reached you is available to them. God looks at the heart, and He calls us to do the same.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to find reasons to disagree and how difficult it can be to live in harmony?
Every day we are surrounded by division. Social media, politics, cultural differences, and personal preferences often seem to highlight what separates us rather than what unites us. Yet Scripture reminds us that harmony is not only possible—it is beautiful.
The worshipers of the Lord in David’s day had many differences. They came from different regions, belonged to different tribes, and included people from various backgrounds. They did not all look alike, think alike, or share the same life experiences. Yet they had common ground. They were united in their worship of God.
Several times each year, they traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts of the Lord. As they journeyed together up the mountain roads, they sang and recited the Psalms. One of those songs was Psalm 133.
David wrote, “How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony. For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard, and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon, that falls on the mountains of Zion, and there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.”
David describes harmony as something precious, refreshing, and life-giving. It brings joy to those who experience it and reflects God’s design for His people. Harmony does not mean everyone agrees on everything. Rather, it means people choose unity, love, and peace despite their differences.
The same is true today. Geography, race, ethnicity, economics, personality, and countless other factors may distinguish us from our neighbors, but we share common ground. God’s grace is available to all. On the night of Jesus’ birth, the angel announced to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
God does not reserve salvation for a select few. The invitation of the gospel extends to everyone. Because of that, Scripture repeatedly calls us to pursue unity and live in harmony with one another.
Of course, harmony does not happen accidentally. It requires effort. It means listening before speaking. It means seeking understanding rather than winning arguments. It means showing kindness when it would be easier to respond with frustration. It means being willing to forgive, to extend grace, and to pursue peace whenever possible.
What might this look like today?
• Reach out to someone with whom you’ve had a disagreement and seek reconciliation. • Listen carefully to another person’s perspective before responding. • Choose encouraging words instead of critical ones. • Look for what you have in common with others rather than focusing only on differences. • Pray for God to help you become a peacemaker in your home, workplace, church, and community.
Psalm 133 reminds us that the Lord blesses harmony. In a world often marked by division, followers of Christ have an opportunity to demonstrate something different.
A Challenge for Today.
Take a moment to ask yourself, “Am I contributing to harmony or division?” Then look for one practical way to bring peace, encouragement, and unity to someone around you. The Lord delights in harmony, and His blessing follows those who pursue it.
It has happened to us all. No one likes it, and it is not one of life’s enjoyable experiences. It hurts, it is painful, and it is a part of everyone’s life. It is failure.
One stumble does not break or define a person. Some of history’s most successful people have experienced the agony of failure.
Babe Ruth held the record for the most strike outs, and struck out multiple times in a World Series game. Yet, look at his overall record.
Robert Frost was rejected by a magazine stating there was no place for his poetry.
An English teacher wrote on Winston Churchill’s report card that he did not have much potential for success.
Oprah was fired from a Chicago TV station. She went on.
You and I can insert our failures here.
Max Lucado says, “Though you’ve failed, God does not. Face your failures with faith and God’s goodness.”
“The Lord directs the steps of the Godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they never fall for the Lord holds them by the hand,” remarks the Psalmist in 37:23-24.
Proverbs 24:16 says, “The Godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.”
Failures will come, but the Lord will help us overcome those failures and move on with life. Remember amid failure, the Lord is with you.
What would happen if you had access to wisdom for every decision, hope for every difficult season, encouragement for every discouragement, and guidance for every step of life?
According to Psalm 119, we do.
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, and its central theme is the value and importance of God’s Word. Throughout the chapter, the psalmist repeatedly expresses his love for Scripture and describes the many ways it transforms his life. Far more than an ancient collection of writings, God’s Word provides the guidance, comfort, hope, and wisdom we need each day. As we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we discover countless blessings. Here are just a few of the benefits Psalm 119 highlights.
1. God’s Word gives us wise advice.
Psalm 119:24 says, “Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.” There’s advice on every topic.
2. God’s Word encourages us.
When we are in need of encouragement, it seems the Bible has just the right words for the moment.
Psalm 119:50 says, “Your promise revives me. It comforts me in all my troubles.”
3. God’s Word gives us hope.
Psalm 119:43 says, “Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.”
Psalm 119:49 says, “Remember your promise to me. It is my only hope.”
4. God’s Word is trustworthy.
Psalm 119:86 says, “All your commands are trustworthy.”
The promises we find in God’s Word can be trusted. The shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth can serve as an example for us. According to Luke 2, the shepherds trusted the angel’s word and went to find Jesus. They found the baby, his mother, and everything just as the angel had said it would be. God’s Word is trustworthy.
5. God’s Word is eternal.
Verse 89 reminds us God’s Word stands firm in Heaven. When everything else is gone and nothing else can be considered secure, we can count on the words and promises of the Lord.
6. God’s Word provides wisdom.
In Psalm 119, the Psalmist states the word of the Lord gives him wisdom. We find guidance for every part of life in the Scriptures.
7. God’s Word offers guidance.
Verse 105 says, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” As we walk through life, God’s Word can guide us. We should think of it like a flashlight at night. A flashlight guides our path and lights up what is right in front of us. If we turn it off, there is a chance we will run into something. If we do not allow God’s Word to guide us, there is a chance we will run into a pitfall in life.
8. God’s Word is a treasure for us.
Psalm 119:111 says, “Your laws are my treasure, they are my heart’s delight.” God’s Word is the most valuable thing we can possess. It is more valuable than gold or silver.
Verse 162 says, “I rejoice in your word like one who has found a great treasure.”
9. God’s Word can bring justice.
The Psalmist reminds us following God’s Word brings justice to all.
Hiding God’s Word in our hearts has many benefits. May we echo the desire of the Psalmist in always keeping God’s Word close to us using it as the compass to guide our lives.
What if the very things we spend our lives chasing can never truly satisfy us?
Success. Money. Entertainment. Recognition. Achievement. Relationships. Possessions. We often believe fulfillment is waiting for us in the next accomplishment or experience. Yet the wisest man who ever lived discovered something many people spend their entire lives learning.
The Bible records Solomon was the wisest man to ever live. Upon his request, Solomon was granted wisdom unlike anyone else.
1 Kings 4:29-34 says, “God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore. In fact, his wisdom exceeded that of all the wise men of the east and the wise men of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else…. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations. He composed some 3,000 proverbs, and wrote 1,005 psalms. He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants from the great Cedar of Lebanon to the tiny Hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall. He could also speak about animals: birds, small creatures, and fish. And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.”
Solomon also had wealth, influence, and every provision imaginable. With his vast wisdom and resources, Solomon explored nearly every path life could offer. He pursued pleasure, hard work, accomplishments, possessions, and personal fulfillment. Yet after examining it all, he came to a sobering conclusion: everything was meaningless unless the Lord remained first and foremost.
At the end of Ecclesiastes, Solomon gives his final conclusion. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thin whether good or bad.”
Take a moment to reflect on your priorities. How well do they align with Solomon’s conclusion?
This conclusion is encouraging. It frees us from the exhausting pursuit of trying to find ultimate satisfaction in things that were never meant to fulfill us. We do not have to spend our lives chasing success, wealth, recognition, or pleasure, hoping they will finally bring lasting contentment. Solomon already tested those paths and shared the results. His conclusion points us to a better way.
When we fear God and walk in obedience to Him, we can live with purpose, confidence, and peace, knowing our lives are anchored in something eternal. In a world that constantly tells us to want more, Solomon reminds us that true fulfillment is found not in having more, but in knowing and following the Lord.
Every builder knows the foundation matters. A beautiful house may look impressive from the outside, but if its foundation is weak, cracks will eventually appear. The same is true of our lives. The decisions we make, the values we hold, and the direction we choose all need a foundation strong enough to withstand life’s challenges. Scripture tells us that foundation is found in true wisdom.
As David neared the end of his life, he placed Solomon on the throne as Israel’s next king. David’s final charge to his son was simple yet profound: observe all of the Lord’s commands. According to David, this is where success is found. In following the Lord, Solomon would discover true wisdom and the stability that comes with it.
Psalm 111:10 says, “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom.” This wisdom is not merely knowledge or intelligence. It is a way of living that is rooted in a relationship with God and expressed through obedience to Him.
Psalm 111 reflects on the many ways God has proven Himself faithful:
Verse 4 reminds us that the Lord is gracious and merciful.
Verse 5 tells us He provides for our needs.
Verse 6 recalls His power at work on behalf of His people.
Verse 9 points us to the ransom He has paid for us. Jesus echoed this truth in Mark 10 when He said, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and give his life as a ransom for many.”
Verse 9 also reminds us that God has guaranteed His covenant with us.
The psalmist then declares, “All he has done is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. They are forever true, to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity” (Psalm 111:7-8).
Justice, goodness, and trustworthiness are found in true wisdom because they are found in God Himself. When we build our lives on His wisdom, we are building on a foundation that will never fail.
So how can we live this out today?
Start by spending a few moments each morning acknowledging God and seeking His guidance. True wisdom begins with a reverent awareness of who He is. Before making decisions, ask yourself whether your choice aligns with what God has already revealed in His Word. Wisdom grows through obedience, not simply through gaining more information.
Take time to reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life. Consider keeping a journal of answered prayers, unexpected provisions, and moments when God carried you through difficult circumstances. Looking back often strengthens our trust moving forward.
Practice integrity in your daily interactions. Be honest in your conversations, fair in your dealings, and willing to do what is right even when it is inconvenient. If God’s works are just and good, those qualities should become evident in our lives as well.
When worries arise, choose trust over control. Bring your concerns to the Lord in prayer and place them in His hands. The God who has faithfully guided His people throughout history is still guiding His people today.
Finally, make it a habit to notice God’s goodness. At the end of the day, reflect on a few ways you saw His provision, mercy, or faithfulness. The more we recognize His hand at work, the more confident we become in His wisdom.
Take a moment today to reflect on how the Lord has proven Himself. Not only throughout history, but also in your own life. How has His justice, goodness, and trustworthiness shown up in your story? As you remember His faithfulness, your trust in Him will grow. And as your trust grows, you’ll find yourself building more and more of your life on the solid foundation of true wisdom.
