Step forth with courage, hats held high, Your dreams like stars across the sky. But heed this word as you depart: Guard your mind and keep your heart.
The world will whisper, pull, and bind, Entangling soul and thought and mind. It tempts with gold, with praise, with fame, Yet leaves you weary, chasing name.
The more you strive with anxious hand, The tighter wraps the sinking sand. The more you grasp with frantic breath, The more it drags you close to death.
But pause—and rest—release control, Let peace of God embrace your soul. Relax your grip, the knots unwind, His love brings freedom to the mind.
For Christ is near, both guide and sword, To cut the cords and lift you toward A life of purpose, pure and true— Not bound by fear, but led by You.
So graduate, walk bold and wise, With heaven’s hope before your eyes. Rely on Him, not fleeting charms And you will rest in shepherd arms.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
“How strange,” said the Boy, “that the grass still stands, After winds tore the trees and scattered the lands.” He looked all around at the broken and torn, At the silence that followed the fury and storm.
“Sometimes being soft is strong,” said the Hare, His whiskers still wet from the rain-swept air. “The grass doesn’t fight, doesn’t rise up tall— It bends with the wind and survives it all.”
“The oak may boast of its height and might, But it snapped in the face of the storm last night. The grass just whispered and laid down low, Then rose again when the winds let go.”
The Boy sat quiet, letting it sink in— That strength isn’t always loud or within The hardest of things or the boldest of cries— But sometimes in softness, true courage lies.
And there in the hush of the morning light, He saw that the meek had won the fight. For when the storm has had its say, It’s the gentle things that find their way.
It doesn’t rain unless there’s a storm, The sky must darken, the winds transform. Yet in the turmoil, drops descend, To cleanse, to heal, and hearts to mend.
The thunder rolls, the night may cry, But grace falls gently from the sky. For rain, though born in tempest’s roar, Brings life to roots and strength to soar.
Showers of blessing, strangely disguised, Come wrapped in trials we never prized. Yet through the pain and bitter strife, They pour down hope and nourish life.
And when the storm has passed us by, A hush will settle on the sky. The sun breaks through, the world made new— And peace will come, serene and true.
So let the clouds roll overhead, Let faith be stronger than our dread. For after storms, God’s love is shown, And we are never left alone.
Psa 30:5 weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Through the stillness, a baritone calls, A voice that rises, and softly falls. With every note, a story unfolds, Of love unending, of grace that holds.
Then from the depths, a chorus swells, Two hundred pipers, their music tells— A tale of redemption, a hymn of might, A sound that pierces the soul’s dark night.
The bagpipes wail, their echoes soar, Through hearts and halls, forevermore. A haunting beauty, a sacred sound, That lifts the weary from earthly ground.
Amazing Grace, the timeless refrain, Of sins forgiven, of freedom’s gain. Its melody rings through the ages long, Uniting all in its holy song.
In unison, the pipes declare, The power of mercy, beyond compare. An ethereal power fills the space, A testament to God’s boundless grace.
And as the arena shakes with song, The hearts of many are carried along. For in that moment, heaven seems near, With every note so crystal clear.
A performance etched in time’s embrace, The sound, the spirit, of Amazing Grace.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Matthew 11:25 – “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’”
Reflection:
In this verse, Jesus praises God for revealing His truths not to the “wise and learned,” but to “little children.” This is a powerful reminder that God’s wisdom often transcends human intellect and pride. The “little children” here represent those with childlike faith—those who humbly trust in God and are open to His guidance without trying to control or outthink Him.
We live in a world that celebrates human knowledge and achievement, but Jesus shows us a different path. God’s greatest truths—about love, grace, and salvation—are not grasped through cleverness or academic prowess. They are revealed to hearts that are simple, open, and ready to trust.
This teaches us a vital lesson: the key to understanding God’s will and purpose is not found in striving for worldly wisdom, but in coming to Him with humility. When we approach God with the innocence and trust of a child, He opens our eyes to His deeper truths, giving us peace and understanding beyond what the world can offer.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for revealing Your truths to those who come to You with a humble heart. Help me to approach You with childlike faith, setting aside my pride and intellectual striving. Teach me to trust You fully, knowing that Your wisdom is greater than anything I can imagine. Open my heart to receive Your guidance today. Amen.
Takeaway: Today, embrace childlike faith. Trust God’s wisdom, even when you don’t fully understand it, and He will reveal His deep truths to your heart.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Acts 20:24 “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.”
Life is often filled with uncertainty. We wonder why we face challenges, why certain doors close, or why we must endure seasons of difficulty. Yet, in these moments, we can find peace in knowing that Our Father Knows Best. He sees the entire picture—far beyond our limited perspective—and is guiding us toward His purpose.
Paul understood this deeply. His life was not his own, but a testimony to God’s grace. He pressed forward, not for earthly gain, but to complete the race that Christ had set before him. Paul’s heart was fully surrendered to God’s plan, confident that the Lord knew what was best, even when the path was hard.
Like Paul, we are called to trust God’s direction in our lives. When we surrender our fears, our dreams, and our uncertainties to Him, we declare that we believe in His perfect wisdom. Our aim should be to finish the race faithfully, trusting that God’s plan for us—whether in times of joy or trial—is ultimately for our good and His glory.
Today, rest in the assurance that your life has a purpose far greater than you can see. Trust that our Father knows best, and He will provide the strength you need to finish the race.
Prayer Heavenly Father, thank You for Your perfect wisdom and guidance. Help me to trust in Your plan, even when I don’t fully understand it. Give me the strength to run the race You’ve set before me, and let my life be a testimony of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.” Proverbs 19:21 – “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”
Reflection:
As we go through life, we often make our own plans, set our own goals, and chart our own paths. It’s easy to believe that if we work hard enough, we can control our future. But the wisdom of Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that no matter how many plans we make, it is ultimately God’s purpose that prevails. His ways are higher, His knowledge is greater, and His love for us is deeper than we can comprehend.
God’s guidance comes through discipline and advice, as Proverbs 19:20 teaches. Sometimes, we need correction or a nudge to stay on course. These moments can be uncomfortable, but they are expressions of His care. When we accept them, we grow in wisdom and align ourselves more fully with His will.
Life might not always go according to our plans, but we can take comfort in knowing that God’s purpose is perfect. His path for us may not be the easiest, but it is the best. Trusting in His guidance and sovereignty brings peace, especially when we face uncertainties or detours.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing what is best for my life. Help me to listen to Your voice, accept Your discipline, and seek wisdom in all things. Even when my plans fall apart, remind me that Your purpose prevails. Teach me to trust in You fully, knowing that Your love and guidance will never fail me. Amen.
Takeaway: Today, embrace the wisdom that comes from trusting in God’s purpose. Even when your plans change, remember that His plans are always for your good.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
In life, we often face situations that shake us—whether it be trials, uncertainties, or fears. It’s during these moments that we are reminded of a comforting truth: our Father knows best. He is our rock, steadfast and unshakable. No matter what comes our way, God remains our fortress, shielding us from harm and providing the strength we need to endure.
When the path ahead is unclear, we can take refuge in the knowledge that God is in control. He is not only our protector but also our deliverer. In Him, we find safety, hope, and a stronghold that nothing can penetrate. Whatever battles we face, our Father has already equipped us with His salvation and guidance.
Today, rest in the truth that God’s ways are higher than ours. Trust His timing and His plans, knowing that He is always working for our good. Let your heart find peace in His strength, for our Father knows what we need before we even ask. His wisdom and love will carry us through every storm.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for being my rock and fortress. I trust in Your wisdom and guidance in all things. Help me to lean on You and remember that You know what’s best for my life. In Your name, Amen.
May 26 Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Job 5:17 “Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.”
Reflection: Discipline can often be difficult to accept, yet Job 5:17 reveals a profound truth: we are blessed when God corrects us. His discipline is not meant to harm us but to shape us, guiding us back to the path of righteousness. Just as a loving parent corrects their child to help them grow, our Heavenly Father corrects us out of love, molding us into the people He created us to be.
When we face God’s discipline, it’s easy to feel frustration or even resistance. But if we trust that our Father knows best, we can embrace His correction as a sign of His care for us. His discipline brings us closer to Him, refining our hearts and drawing us deeper into His love.
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your loving discipline and correction. Help me to see Your guidance not as punishment but as a blessing that leads me closer to You. Teach me to embrace Your discipline with a willing heart, knowing that You are shaping me for Your purpose. Strengthen my faith in Your wisdom, and may I always trust in Your loving care. Amen.
Challenge: Today, take a moment to reflect on any area of your life where God may be correcting or guiding you. Instead of resisting, open your heart to His discipline and seek to understand the lesson He is teaching. Trust that His correction is part of His perfect plan for you.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”
Reflection: In a world that often challenges or dismisses the message of the gospel, Paul’s declaration in Romans 1:16-17 is a powerful reminder for us to stand firm in our faith. The gospel is not merely words; it is the very power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes. It reveals the righteousness of God, a righteousness that we can only receive by faith.
Living by faith means trusting in God’s plan and power, even when the world around us doesn’t understand. It means we are not ashamed to declare the good news, because through the gospel, God’s love, grace, and salvation are made available to all. Our Father knows best, and He has given us the gift of salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of the gospel that brings salvation to all who believe. Help me to never be ashamed of this truth and to live boldly by faith, trusting in Your righteousness and plan for my life. Let my life be a reflection of Your grace and love, and may others come to know You through the power of Your gospel. Amen.
Challenge: Today, reflect on what it means to live by faith. Share the gospel with someone in your life, whether through words or actions, and trust that God will work through you to reveal His righteousness.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: Romans 6:13 “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.”
Reflection: As followers of Christ, we are called to live in the freedom He has given us—freedom from sin and the old ways that once held us captive. Romans 6:13 is a powerful reminder that our lives are no longer meant for sin, but for righteousness. Our Heavenly Father, who has brought us from death to life through His Son, calls us to offer ourselves fully to Him.
Every part of who we are—our minds, hearts, bodies, and actions—are meant to be instruments for God’s purpose. When we surrender ourselves to Him, He can use us to reflect His love, truth, and grace in the world. No longer slaves to sin, we are transformed into vessels of righteousness, bringing glory to the One who gave us life.
Prayer: Father, thank You for rescuing me from sin and bringing me from death to life. I offer myself to You today, every part of who I am. Use me as an instrument of righteousness for Your kingdom. Help me to turn away from anything that pulls me back into sin and to live in the freedom and purpose You’ve given me. Amen.
Challenge: Today, think about an area of your life where you may be holding back from God. Surrender it to Him and ask Him to use you fully as an instrument of righteousness in His hands. Trust in His perfect plan for your life.
Daily Devotional: Our Father Knows Best By Mark Waldrop
Scripture: James 1:4 “Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Reflection: There are seasons in life when we face challenges and trials that test our endurance and faith. In those moments, it can be tempting to seek a quick escape or solution, but James 1:4 reminds us of the importance of perseverance. Our Heavenly Father knows that through these trials, He is shaping us into the people He desires us to be—mature, complete, and lacking nothing.
God’s process of refining us often takes time. He allows perseverance to have its full effect, not to harm us, but to equip us with the strength, faith, and wisdom we need. Every challenge, when entrusted to His care, is an opportunity for growth and transformation. As we trust in our Father’s timing and purpose, we can rest in knowing that He is working all things for our good.
Prayer: Father, thank You for walking with me through every trial and challenge. Give me the strength to persevere, knowing that You are using these moments to mature and complete me. Help me to trust Your process and Your purpose, even when it’s difficult. May my faith grow deeper as I rely on You each step of the way. Amen.
Challenge: Today, reflect on an area in your life where you feel weary. Instead of seeking an immediate way out, ask God for the perseverance to see it through. Trust that He is using it to strengthen and mature you.
We strive and sweat, we fall, we try, We lift our heads and question why. We chase approval, seek to earn, But grace is something we can’t learn.
For all our works, they fall apart They cannot mend the broken heart. We wear ourselves out, day by day, Hoping to earn what none can pay.
But God, in mercy rich and true, Declared a warranty for you. Not by deeds or proud decree, But through His Son who sets us free.
Normal wear and tear won’t do, The cracks must show, the soul break through. He doesn’t fix what’s merely worn He redeems the hearts that mourn.
When we are shattered, torn and tossed, He meets us there beneath the cross. It’s not our polish, but our plea That activates His warranty.
So cease your striving, bend the knee Let Jesus be your guarantee For through the Lamb, God warrants you, Made whole, made clean, and made anew.
Tit 3:5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
