No. 494 “Walking Through the Forest of God’s Word" 2026 08 09

No. 494 “Walking Through the Forest of God’s Word" 2026 08 09 Since last May, we have been on a somewhat unusual journey together through our early morning worship. Each day, we have reflected on one chapter of Scripture, and each week, we have walked through an entire book of the Bible. Together, we have been making our way through the vast and beautiful forest of God’s Word. We did not begin with a grand plan for where this journey would take us. Yet, as we look back, we can see how faithfully God has connected one book of Scripture to the next, leading us forward step by step. It reminds us of the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that guided God’s people through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21–22). In much the same way, the Holy Spirit has been guiding our steps through the written Word of God. In Ephesians, we were reminded that the church is the body of Christ—a community of people who have been saved by grace and are called to grow together in love (Ephesians 2:8–10; 4:15–16). James showed us that genuine faith is a living faith. It perseveres through trials, obeys the Word, exercises self-control in our speech, and expresses itself through love for our neighbors (James 1:22; 2:17). Through Ruth, we saw how God carries forward His covenant faithfulness and redemptive purposes through the ordinary faithfulness and obedience of ordinary people (Ruth 1:16–17; 4:14–17). First Peter encouraged believers who are living through suffering to hold firmly to the living hope we have through the resurrection of Jesus Christ and to live as a holy people in the midst of a broken world (1 Peter 1:3–7; 2:9). In Jonah, God reminded us that He is a God of compassion who does not give up even on people we may find difficult to love. His mercy reaches farther than our own hearts are often willing to go (Jonah 4:2, 10–11). Esther taught us something equally profound. The name of God is never explicitly mentioned in the book, yet His unseen hand is at work throughout the story. Even when God seems silent or hidden, He is never absent (Esther 6:1–3; 9:22). Philippians proclaimed that true joy is not determined by our circumstances but is found in Christ. The gospel also transforms us into partners in ministry who serve one another with the mind and humility of Christ (Philippians 1:5–6; 2:5–8). In Nehemiah, we encountered the God who rebuilds what has been broken. The restoration of a broken community came through prayer, the Word of God, and a people who were willing to obey together (Nehemiah 2:17–18). And now, having encountered the God who restores broken communities, beginning tomorrow we will turn our eyes once again to the One who stands at the center of that community. In Colossians, we will be reminded that Jesus Christ is the Head of the church and the Lord over all creation. In Him, we have become a new people, called to put on the character of Christ and live out the gospel in the world around us (Colossians 2:9–10; 3:12–17). Just as the Israelites learned to trust God by gathering only enough manna for each day (Exodus 16:4), may we also learn to begin each morning by gathering our daily portion of the “manna” of God’s Word. Before we listen to the news of the world, may we first listen to the voice of God. And as we walk through each day under the illumination of the Holy Spirit, may we trust that God will continue to guide our steps faithfully through His written Word. We may not always know where the road will lead tomorrow. But we can know the One who leads us. And that is enough for today.