And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NLT)

For many people, voting is an act of hope. Their candidate’s campaign vision and promises for the future of the country resonate with them. They imagine living in a vastly improved nation where the major issues that they care deeply about are resolved. And they see their candidate as the bright, shining hope for making such a future possible.

People who are a little more cynical might suggest that a candidate’s campaign vision and promises for the future should be taken with a heaping teaspoon of salt. And they might point out that, even in a best-case scenario, the changes that a politician can make are temporary at best.

Even if the cynics are right, that doesn’t excuse believers from participating in the electoral process. As Christians, it’s our duty to be the salt and light in the world, actively spreading the gospel and praying fervently for a spiritual revival in our country. As part of that duty, it’s essential that we exercise our right to vote and to support candidates who we believe will uphold the values we find in Scripture.

Of course, there is no perfect candidate. Let’s make that clear. Our task is to find the one whose views are as close to a biblical worldview as possible. That may be difficult sometimes, but we must do it. Because I do believe—and I say this with as much emphasis as I can—that it is our responsibility to vote as Christians. If you want to do your duty as an American citizen and as a follower of Jesus Christ, inform yourself on the issues and vote wisely.

But keep your hope where it belongs—in God. Hebrews 13:5–6 says, “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’” God didn’t fail Elijah in his contest with the prophets of Baal. He didn’t abandon Daniel in the lions’ den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. And He will not fail or abandon you in your darkest hour.

God has never broken a promise. His record is spotless. He knows better than we do what is ultimately best for us. Hebrews 10:23 tells us, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (NLT). God can be trusted, and He keeps His promises. If you believe that, you can vote—or make other important decisions in life—with confidence, knowing that your hope is in God, not in the government or anything else.

That’s why we can say with the psalmist, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” (Psalm 33:20–22 NLT).

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7 NLT)
For many people, voting is an act of hope. Their candidate’s campaign vision and promises for the future of the country resonate with them. They imagine living in a vastly improved nation where the major issues that they care deeply about are resolved. And they see their candidate as the bright, shining hope for making such a future possible.
People who are a little more cynical might suggest that a candidate’s campaign vision and promises for the future should be taken with a heaping teaspoon of salt. And they might point out that, even in a best-case scenario, the changes that a politician can make are temporary at best.
Even if the cynics are right, that doesn’t excuse believers from participating in the electoral process. As Christians, it’s our duty to be the salt and light in the world, actively spreading the gospel and praying fervently for a spiritual revival in our country. As part of that duty, it’s essential that we exercise our right to vote and to support candidates who we believe will uphold the values we find in Scripture.
Of course, there is no perfect candidate. Let’s make that clear. Our task is to find the one whose views are as close to a biblical worldview as possible. That may be difficult sometimes, but we must do it. Because I do believe—and I say this with as much emphasis as I can—that it is our responsibility to vote as Christians. If you want to do your duty as an American citizen and as a follower of Jesus Christ, inform yourself on the issues and vote wisely.
But keep your hope where it belongs—in God. Hebrews 13:5–6 says, “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’ So we can say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?’” God didn’t fail Elijah in his contest with the prophets of Baal. He didn’t abandon Daniel in the lions’ den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace. And He will not fail or abandon you in your darkest hour.
God has never broken a promise. His record is spotless. He knows better than we do what is ultimately best for us. Hebrews 10:23 tells us, “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise” (NLT). God can be trusted, and He keeps His promises. If you believe that, you can vote—or make other important decisions in life—with confidence, knowing that your hope is in God, not in the government or anything else.
That’s why we can say with the psalmist, “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone” (Psalm 33:20–22 NLT).
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from <a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Daily Devotions From Greg Laurie

Vote with confidence, knowing that your hope is with God.

Our Hope Is in God | Psalm 39:7

The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. (Psalm 94:14 NLT)

It’s a strange thing to feel alone when you share a planet with more than eight billion people. Yet we all feel alone on occasion—Christians and non-Christians alike. We convince ourselves that we’re living a solitary existence, that no one notices us or cares about what we do or feel.

Psalm 94:14 reminds us that we are, in fact, not alone: “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession” (NLT). Whatever you’re facing, you’re not alone. God is with you. He walks beside you through your valley. He accompanies you through your storm.

The problem is that distractions can keep us from sensing God’s presence. That’s why He says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (NLT). Embrace quiet.

When the prophet Elijah felt all alone and feared for his life, God made His presence known to Elijah with the “sound of a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). That was all Elijah needed to realize he wasn’t alone.

God also makes His presence known through His Word. So if you feel alone, spend some time reading, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture. Start with passages such Deuteronomy 31:6; Philippians 4:6–7; and 1 Peter 5:7. Pray about the things you read. Ask God to help you sense His nearness.

Prayer is important because we have an enemy who thrives on our weaknesses. The apostle Peter wrote, “Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Like a lion on the prowl, our enemy targets solitary prey. He exploits our feelings of loneliness and tries to create distance between us and God. But God has a plan to defeat our enemy.

God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Peter wrote, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT). Those two verses are not unrelated. To lovingly serve other people, we must look away from our own needs and focus on the needs of others. In doing so, we make a connection with the people we serve. And often we make connections with other people who serve.

The author of Hebrews wrote, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (10:25 NLT). He’s talking about fellowship, one of God’s most underrated gifts to us. Fellowship—the gathering together of the people of God—is an antidote to aloneness.

Just as serving with others prevents isolation and creates connections, so does worshipping God with others. Your fellow church members share many of your core values and priorities. The more you get involved in your church, the stronger those connections become. So, if you find yourself struggling with feelings of loneliness, draw closer to God and His people.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession. (Psalm 94:14 NLT)
It’s a strange thing to feel alone when you share a planet with more than eight billion people. Yet we all feel alone on occasion—Christians and non-Christians alike. We convince ourselves that we’re living a solitary existence, that no one notices us or cares about what we do or feel.
Psalm 94:14 reminds us that we are, in fact, not alone: “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession” (NLT). Whatever you’re facing, you’re not alone. God is with you. He walks beside you through your valley. He accompanies you through your storm.
The problem is that distractions can keep us from sensing God’s presence. That’s why He says in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God!” (NLT). Embrace quiet.
When the prophet Elijah felt all alone and feared for his life, God made His presence known to Elijah with the “sound of a gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). That was all Elijah needed to realize he wasn’t alone.
God also makes His presence known through His Word. So if you feel alone, spend some time reading, meditating on, and memorizing Scripture. Start with passages such Deuteronomy 31:6; Philippians 4:6–7; and 1 Peter 5:7. Pray about the things you read. Ask God to help you sense His nearness.
Prayer is important because we have an enemy who thrives on our weaknesses. The apostle Peter wrote, “Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8 NLT). Like a lion on the prowl, our enemy targets solitary prey. He exploits our feelings of loneliness and tries to create distance between us and God. But God has a plan to defeat our enemy.
God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18 NLT). Peter wrote, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT). Those two verses are not unrelated. To lovingly serve other people, we must look away from our own needs and focus on the needs of others. In doing so, we make a connection with the people we serve. And often we make connections with other people who serve.
The author of Hebrews wrote, “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (10:25 NLT). He’s talking about fellowship, one of God’s most underrated gifts to us. Fellowship—the gathering together of the people of God—is an antidote to aloneness.
Just as serving with others prevents isolation and creates connections, so does worshipping God with others. Your fellow church members share many of your core values and priorities. The more you get involved in your church, the stronger those connections become. So, if you find yourself struggling with feelings of loneliness, draw closer to God and His people.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you struggle with loneliness, draw closer to God and His people.

You’re Not Alone | Psalm 94:14 

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7 NIV)

I had an opportunity to speak at an event called Heal Our Patriots, which was sponsored by Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse. The experience was unforgettable. More than seventeen hundred couples attended. These were people who served our country. Many of them had been wounded in battle, some severely. Some were struggling with PTSD. But they made the effort to attend this couple’s conference. They were looking for hope and encouragement from God’s Word. It was an amazing honor to speak to them. The best part for me came when I gave an invitation for people to come to Christ. Many of the attendees walked forward and gave their lives to the Lord. The memories of it still bring me joy. It was an honor to serve those who have served our country.

I had the privilege of honoring our service members then, and I have the privilege of honoring them today. The members of our military are special people. They have the courage and dedication to put their lives on the line for us. I think of Private First Class Ross McGinnis, who was perched in the gunner’s hatch of a Humvee when a grenade whizzed past him into the truck that was carrying him and four of his fellow soldiers. In a split second, McGinnis did the unthinkable. He shouted a warning to the other soldiers and threw himself on the grenade. He absorbed its full impact and died. But the four other soldiers in that truck survived, thanks to the young man’s amazing courage. That’s the character of a soldier. That’s the character of a veteran. And that’s who we honor today.

We can celebrate the veterans in our community by showing up to a parade or a gathering held in their honor and cheering as loudly as we would for our favorite team. We can honor them with a handshake and a sincere “Thank you for your sacrifice and service.” We can pay our respect to those who have died by walking through a cemetery and stopping at the graves marked with flags. We can read the names on the markers and think about what those men and women did so that we may have our freedom.

We can commemorate Veterans Day by praying for military families. For the Gold Star families who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For the countless others who live in uncertainty while their loved ones are deployed. We can ask God to make His presence known in their lives in unmistakable ways.

And we can praise Jesus, who makes our spiritual freedom possible. “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:22 NLT). Ephesians 1:7 says that God “is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins” (NLT). Jesus paid the ultimate price—His death on the cross—so we can be eternally free.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. (Romans 13:7 NIV)
I had an opportunity to speak at an event called Heal Our Patriots, which was sponsored by Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse. The experience was unforgettable. More than seventeen hundred couples attended. These were people who served our country. Many of them had been wounded in battle, some severely. Some were struggling with PTSD. But they made the effort to attend this couple’s conference. They were looking for hope and encouragement from God’s Word. It was an amazing honor to speak to them. The best part for me came when I gave an invitation for people to come to Christ. Many of the attendees walked forward and gave their lives to the Lord. The memories of it still bring me joy. It was an honor to serve those who have served our country.
I had the privilege of honoring our service members then, and I have the privilege of honoring them today. The members of our military are special people. They have the courage and dedication to put their lives on the line for us. I think of Private First Class Ross McGinnis, who was perched in the gunner’s hatch of a Humvee when a grenade whizzed past him into the truck that was carrying him and four of his fellow soldiers. In a split second, McGinnis did the unthinkable. He shouted a warning to the other soldiers and threw himself on the grenade. He absorbed its full impact and died. But the four other soldiers in that truck survived, thanks to the young man’s amazing courage. That’s the character of a soldier. That’s the character of a veteran. And that’s who we honor today.
We can celebrate the veterans in our community by showing up to a parade or a gathering held in their honor and cheering as loudly as we would for our favorite team. We can honor them with a handshake and a sincere “Thank you for your sacrifice and service.” We can pay our respect to those who have died by walking through a cemetery and stopping at the graves marked with flags. We can read the names on the markers and think about what those men and women did so that we may have our freedom.
We can commemorate Veterans Day by praying for military families. For the Gold Star families who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. For the countless others who live in uncertainty while their loved ones are deployed. We can ask God to make His presence known in their lives in unmistakable ways.
And we can praise Jesus, who makes our spiritual freedom possible. “But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 3:22 NLT). Ephesians 1:7 says that God “is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins” (NLT). Jesus paid the ultimate price—His death on the cross—so we can be eternally free.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

Pay Respect | Romans 13:7

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (Acts 12:1–3 NLT)

Everyone needs a change of narrative sometimes. When life seems to be trending toward disaster, chaos, uncertainty, or suffering, it’s comforting to know that God can intervene. He can rewrite the script. All we have to do is ask. God uses prayer to change not just our circumstances but our attitudes and perspectives, our hearts and minds.

When we pray, we’re acknowledging our weakness. That’s a hard thing for some people to do. We think, I can figure this out. I can resolve this conflict. I can save my own family. But it doesn’t work. So we call on God and say, “Lord, I’m weak. I need Your help. Please come through for me.” And that’s when the narrative starts to change.

In Acts 12, we find a changed narrative. Things were looking dim for the early believers. King Herod had killed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter, two important church leaders. And how did the believers respond? “The church organized a protest and stormed Herod’s palace.” No, that’s not what happened. “The church boycotted all products made in Rome.” No, not that either.

Here is how the believers responded to Peter’s imprisonment: “Constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5 NKJV). They prayed, but not just one time. They were engaged in constant prayer. For many people, prayer is a last resort. They say, “We’ve tried everything. All we can do now is pray.” Prayer is the first thing we should do. Paul said, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). Nothing is too small to pray about.

Is there a troubling narrative in your life right now? Is there a circumstance that you have no control over that needs to change? Offer it to the Lord in prayer. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7). In other words, “Trust Me. Ask Me. I will change your narrative.”

The narrative of Acts 12 changes when an angel appears in Peter’s cell. Peter’s chains fall off, and he walks out of prison. And Herod, the man who imprisoned him, gives a speech that’s so impressive that the audience starts referring to him as a god. Herod accepts their praise, falls down dead, and is eaten by worms.

At the beginning of Acts 12, Herod held seemingly absolute power and the church was on the ropes. At the end, Herod was worm food and the church had its leader back. It was a narrative twist no one but God could have predicted. And it was an important reminder that no situation is hopeless. Every narrative can be changed through prayer, including yours.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword. When Herod saw how much this pleased the Jewish people, he also arrested Peter. (Acts 12:1–3 NLT)
Everyone needs a change of narrative sometimes. When life seems to be trending toward disaster, chaos, uncertainty, or suffering, it’s comforting to know that God can intervene. He can rewrite the script. All we have to do is ask. God uses prayer to change not just our circumstances but our attitudes and perspectives, our hearts and minds.
When we pray, we’re acknowledging our weakness. That’s a hard thing for some people to do. We think, I can figure this out. I can resolve this conflict. I can save my own family. But it doesn’t work. So we call on God and say, “Lord, I’m weak. I need Your help. Please come through for me.” And that’s when the narrative starts to change.
In Acts 12, we find a changed narrative. Things were looking dim for the early believers. King Herod had killed the apostle James and imprisoned the apostle Peter, two important church leaders. And how did the believers respond? “The church organized a protest and stormed Herod’s palace.” No, that’s not what happened. “The church boycotted all products made in Rome.” No, not that either.
Here is how the believers responded to Peter’s imprisonment: “Constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5 NKJV). They prayed, but not just one time. They were engaged in constant prayer. For many people, prayer is a last resort. They say, “We’ve tried everything. All we can do now is pray.” Prayer is the first thing we should do. Paul said, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). Nothing is too small to pray about.
Is there a troubling narrative in your life right now? Is there a circumstance that you have no control over that needs to change? Offer it to the Lord in prayer. Jesus said, “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (John 15:7). In other words, “Trust Me. Ask Me. I will change your narrative.”
The narrative of Acts 12 changes when an angel appears in Peter’s cell. Peter’s chains fall off, and he walks out of prison. And Herod, the man who imprisoned him, gives a speech that’s so impressive that the audience starts referring to him as a god. Herod accepts their praise, falls down dead, and is eaten by worms.
At the beginning of Acts 12, Herod held seemingly absolute power and the church was on the ropes. At the end, Herod was worm food and the church had its leader back. It was a narrative twist no one but God could have predicted. And it was an important reminder that no situation is hopeless. Every narrative can be changed through prayer, including yours.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

Our Hope Is in God | Psalm 39:7

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