Category: Today’s Devotional

Bible Verse:
“For I, the LORD, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” – Malachi 3:6 (WEBBE)

Reflection:
Grief has a way of making life feel uncertain. The loss of a loved one can shake your foundation and leave you wondering what, if anything, is constant. In these moments, it’s comforting to remember this truth: God does not change.

Malachi 3:6 reminds us that God’s character and love remain steadfast, even when everything else seems to shift. The same God who created you, who loves you deeply, and who promises to be near the brokenhearted is unchanging. His faithfulness is not dependent on your circumstances or how strong or weak you feel.

When life feels overwhelming, hold onto this truth: God’s love is as steady as it has always been. He is the same God who walked with you in times of joy, and He walks with you now in your sorrow. While your grief may make the future feel uncertain, God’s presence and care for you are a sure foundation.

Trust in His unchanging nature today. Let it remind you that you are held securely in His love, even when everything else feels like it’s falling apart.

Prayer:
Lord, my world feels so uncertain right now. The loss of my loved one has shaken me, and I feel like I’ve lost my footing. Thank You for the reminder that You do not change. Your love is constant, and Your promises are sure. Help me to cling to this truth today and to find comfort in Your steadfast presence. Amen.

Course of Action for Today:
Reflect on the ways God has shown His love and faithfulness to you in the past. Write down at least three specific memories where you experienced His presence, care, or provision.

Place this list somewhere visible to remind you of His unchanging nature. When you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to revisit these memories and thank God for His steady love.

Reflection Question:
How does knowing that God’s love and faithfulness never change bring comfort to your grief?

Scripture Reading:
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
—Genesis 3:19 (NABRE)

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a sacred season of repentance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. As we receive the ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded of our mortality and our need for God’s mercy. The ashes are not just a symbol of sorrow for sin but also an invitation to renewal—a call to turn back to the Lord with our whole hearts.

In the Gospel for today, Jesus teaches us how to live this Lenten journey:
“When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you… when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret… when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you may not appear to be fasting, except to your Father who is hidden.” (Matthew 6:2,6,17-18)

Lent is not about outward displays of piety but about a true inner conversion. It is a time to examine our hearts, detach from sin, and grow in love for God and others. Through fasting, we discipline our desires. Through prayer, we deepen our relationship with God. Through almsgiving, we share His love with those in need.

As we begin this journey, let us ask ourselves: What is keeping me from fully loving and following Christ? What habits, distractions, or sins do I need to surrender to Him? Lent is a season of grace, a time to return to God with trust, knowing that His mercy is always greater than our failures.

Prayer:
Lord, as I enter this Lenten season, help me to turn my heart fully to You. Give me the strength to fast from sin, to pray with sincerity, and to love with generosity. May this be a time of true conversion and renewal, so that I may grow closer to You. Amen.

Reflection Question:
What is one concrete step I can take today to begin my Lenten journey of repentance and renewal?

Bible Verse:
“He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.” – Isaiah 40:29 (WEBBE)

Reflection:
Grief is exhausting. It’s not just an emotional experience but a physical one too. Some days, the simple act of getting out of bed feels like an impossible task. When your heart is heavy with sorrow, you may feel drained of all strength and wonder how you’ll ever make it through.

Isaiah 40:29 offers hope in these moments of weariness. God doesn’t ask you to rely on your own strength to carry the weight of your grief. Instead, He promises to give power to the weak and to increase the strength of those who feel like they have none.

This strength is not about pretending everything is fine or pushing through the pain without acknowledging it. Rather, it is the quiet, sustaining power of God that meets you right where you are. It is the strength to take one small step at a time, to breathe through the hardest moments, and to trust that God is holding you even when you feel like you’re falling apart.

Lean into God’s promise today. When you feel like you have no strength left, remember that He is the One who renews and restores. He will give you exactly what you need to face each moment, one breath at a time.

Prayer:
Lord, I feel so weak and weary from the weight of my grief. I don’t have the strength to carry this on my own. Thank You for Your promise to give power to the weak. Fill me with Your strength today, Lord, and help me to take one step at a time. Remind me that I am not alone and that You are walking with me through this season of sorrow. Amen.

Course of Action for Today:
Take a moment to pause and focus on your breath. With each inhale, pray silently, “Lord, give me strength.” With each exhale, release your burden to Him by saying, “I trust in You.”

Afterward, take a small step that feels manageable today—whether it’s eating a nourishing meal, going for a short walk, or reaching out to someone who loves you. Let this step be a reminder that God is strengthening you, moment by moment.

Reflection Question:
What is one small way you can rely on God’s strength today instead of your own?

Bible Verse:
“You count my wanderings. You put my tears into your bottle. Aren’t they in your book?” – Psalm 56:8 (WEBBE)

Reflection:
Grief often feels like a storm that never ends. The tears come unexpectedly, sometimes quietly, and other times like a flood that seems to have no limit. You may wonder if anyone truly sees or understands the depth of your pain. Psalm 56:8 assures you that God does.

This verse is a beautiful reminder of how precious you are to God. Every tear you cry matters to Him. He collects them as though they were the most valuable treasure, storing them in His bottle and recording them in His book. Your tears are not forgotten, ignored, or dismissed. They are seen, valued, and remembered by the One who loves you infinitely.

In this, God reassures you that your grief is not meaningless. Your pain is real, and it matters. He doesn’t rush you through it or expect you to hold it all together. Instead, He honours your mourning and draws close to you in your sorrow. Each tear is a prayer, a silent expression of your heart that God hears and understands.

Take comfort today in knowing that your grief is safe with God. He will never minimize your pain or tire of your tears. His love for you is constant, and He holds you tenderly as you navigate this difficult season.

Prayer:
Lord, I feel so lost in my grief. The tears seem endless, and my heart feels heavy. Thank You for seeing every tear I cry and for holding them close to Your heart. Help me to trust that You are with me, even in my sorrow, and that my pain is precious to You. Bring me comfort today, Lord, and remind me of Your faithful love. Amen.

Course of Action for Today:
Take a quiet moment to write down your feelings in a journal. Express your grief, your memories of your loved one, and even your questions or frustrations to God. As you write, imagine placing each tear and each word into God’s bottle, trusting Him to hold them with care.

When you’re done, read Psalm 56:8 aloud as a prayer, inviting God to be near and to comfort you.

Reflection Question:
How does it change your perspective to know that God treasures every tear you cry?

Bible Verse:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4 (WEBBE)

Reflection:
Grieving the loss of someone you love is one of the most difficult journeys you will ever walk. In these moments, Jesus’ words may seem almost impossible to believe. How can mourning possibly bring blessing? How can comfort ever reach a heart so shattered?

But Jesus, in His infinite wisdom, knows the deeper truths about mourning. He isn’t saying your loss is good or that your pain is insignificant. Instead, He’s reminding you that in your sorrow, God’s comfort will find you.

This comfort is not always the immediate removal of pain but the assurance that you are seen, understood, and loved by the One who walks with you. God knows your grief because He experienced it too. Jesus wept at the tomb of Lazarus, felt the sting of betrayal, and bore the weight of unimaginable loss. He understands, and He is near to comfort you in a way that no one else can.

In your mourning, you are not forgotten. God sees your tears and honours the love you carry for the one you’ve lost. Through His comfort, you can find moments of peace, even in the midst of sorrow, as He gently reminds you that you are never alone.

Prayer:
Jesus, my heart is heavy with grief, and I long for the comfort You promise. Help me to believe in Your words, even when my sorrow feels overwhelming. Meet me in my mourning, and let Your presence bring peace to my troubled heart. Teach me to rest in Your love, knowing that You are near and will carry me through this pain. Amen.

Course of Action for Today:
Set aside time to reflect on a memory of your loved one that brings a sense of joy or gratitude. Write it down or share it with a trusted friend or family member.

Afterward, take a moment to thank God for the gift of that person in your life. Even in the midst of your grief, let this act of gratitude open your heart to His comforting presence.

Reflection Question:
How has God’s comfort been present in your life, even in small ways, since your loved one’s passing?