Author: Chad Bandy

Ruth is defined by loyalty and devotion. Her life certainly did not evolve how she likely dreamed.  Perhaps Ruth dreamed of a happy marriage, a home, filled with children, large dinners, laughter, and happiness.

Let’s set the stage for the Book of Ruth.

What she experienced was the complete opposite for her life. As what appears to transpire when she was a young woman, her husband died before they had children.  Her father-in-law and brother-in-law died, leaving her to live with her sister-in-law and her mother-in-law.  Three widows living together. Hardly the dream life she had likely hoped for.  On top of that, her mother-in-law, named Naomi, ordered Ruth and her sister-in-law, Orpah, to return to their families in Moab, as she decided to return to her homeland in Judah.

What Ruth did was defining. She refused to leave her mother-in-law. Even though that meant traveling to the land of Judah to start a new life, where she knew no one, she remained loyal and devoted to Naomi and in Ruth 1:16, Ruth said “Entreat me not to leave you, or turn back from following after you, For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will will lodge; Your people shall by my people.”

To emphasize and highlight Ruth’s devotion even further, Ruth 1:18 says, “When she (Naomi) saw that she (Ruth) was determined to go with her, she stopped speaking to her.”  Can you imagine? Not a great way to start a 75 mile journey across the Jordan River, rugged and hilly terrain, which likely took them 7-10 days to walk.

The Book of Ruth shows us that God is still present in what seem like horrible times.

God remains faithful even in famine and loss. The Book of Ruth opens talking about famine, exile, and death (Ruth 1:1–5). At first glance, God seems absent. Yet in verse 6, Naomi hears that “the LORD had visited His people and given them food.” This echoes God’s covenant promise to Israel: He would not abandon His people, even when they experienced discipline or hardship (cf. Deut. 30:1–5). God restores provision at the right time.

God preserves the line of redemption. Though Naomi loses her husband and sons, God is quietly protecting the future through Ruth—a Moabite widow, an outsider. This fulfills God’s long-term promise that blessing would come through unexpected people and means (Gen. 12:3). Even before we see Boaz or David, God is already keeping His promise to bring redemption through a faithful line.

God shows covenant love through human faithfulness. Ruth’s loyalty to Naomi (1:16–17) reflects God’s own covenant love. While spoken by Ruth, it mirrors God’s promise: “I will not leave you.” God is keeping His promise to care for the vulnerable—widows, foreigners, the poor—by working through Ruth’s faithfulness.

What can we take away from Naomi and Ruth in this first chapter and apply to our lives?

God is at work even when my story feels empty. Naomi believes she has returned “empty” (1:21), but the reader knows she is not. Ruth is with her—and Ruth carries the future. God is still working, even when we cannot yet see how.

God does not abandon us in bitterness or grief. Naomi is honest about her pain, and God does not rebuke her. He meets her in it. We can bring our grief to God, and He will remain faithful even when our faith feels weak.

God’s redemption often begins with a simple step of obedience. Ruth’s promise to stay is not dramatic—just faithful. Yet it becomes the doorway to redemption. If we walk faithfully today, God can use small obedience for purposes far bigger than I imagine.

Genesis 17

Today’s reading is from the book of Genesis, chapter 17.

How does God’s steadfast love steady my fears?

In Genesis 17, God reveals Himself to Abram as “God Almighty” (El Shaddai) and reaffirms His covenant at a moment when fear, doubt, and human limitation would be entirely reasonable. Abram is ninety-nine years old, childless with Sarai, and decades removed from the original promise. God’s steadfast love steadies fear not by minimizing Abram’s circumstances, but by anchoring the promise in God’s character rather than Abram’s capacity.

God’s love is steady because it is initiated by Him, not earned. He unilaterally establishes an “everlasting covenant,” changes Abram’s name to Abraham, and declares fruitfulness before any evidence exists. Even Abram’s laughter—an honest response of doubt—is met not with rebuke, but with reassurance. God names Isaac in advance, signaling that the outcome is already secured. Fear is quieted because the future does not rest on human strength, timing, or perfection, but on a faithful God who keeps His word across generations.

What step of faith can I take?

Genesis 17 calls for a faith that is obedient, visible, and trusting, even when fulfillment feels improbable. Abraham’s step of faith was to accept the covenant sign and live as if God’s promise were already true.

A practical step of faith today may be to:

• Align behavior with belief—acting consistently with what God has promised rather than what circumstances suggest.
• Trust God with timing—releasing anxiety over delays and refusing to take control where God has already spoken.
• Publicly identify with God’s covenant—through obedience, integrity, and faithfulness, even when it is costly or uncomfortable.

In short, Genesis 17 invites us to move forward not because fear is gone, but because God’s steadfast love is greater than your fear.

Psalm 18

When David proclaims, “His mercy endures forever,” he is not making a sentimental statement; he is testifying from his experience. David’s life was marked by dramatic highs and devastating lows—victory and failure, faithfulness and sin, confidence and fear. Yet through every season, one truth remained constant: God did not abandon him. David understood mercy not as a fleeting emotion, but as God’s covenant faithfulness—His steadfast love that persists even when human obedience falters. Mercy endured when enemies surrounded him, when guilt weighed on his conscience, and when consequences followed his choices. David praised God because mercy, not merit, defined his relationship with the Lord.

Thousands of years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, this truth applies even more profoundly to us. In Christ, God’s enduring mercy has been fully revealed. The cross stands as the ultimate declaration that God’s mercy does not expire, weaken, or run out. Jesus bore the weight of sin once and for all, proving that mercy is not reactive but intentional—planned before the foundation of the world and secured through resurrection power.

For us today, “His mercy endures forever” means we live with confidence, not condemnation. When we fail, mercy invites repentance rather than despair. When we struggle, mercy offers grace rather than rejection. When circumstances change, mercy remains unchanged. God’s mercy is not anchored to our performance but to His character.  No matter what we have done, no matter how bad we think we are, God still loves us and demonstrated that through the birth, death, and resurrection of His son Jesus.

As we approach the celebration of Jesus’ birth, let’s remind ourselves and our families why we celebrate.  We celebrate the birth of our Savior that provided the path to our salvation. And like believers before us, we carry this confession forward—trusting that the same mercy that saved us will sustain us, guide us, and one day bring us home.

Psalm 111

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” — Psalm 111:10

Wisdom doesn’t begin with age, education, or experience. According to Scripture, it begins with something far deeper: a right posture toward God. When the psalmist says, “the fear of the Lord,” he’s not talking about terror or shrinking back. He is describing a reverent awe—an awareness of God’s holiness, power, and authority that shapes how we live. It is the recognition that God is God… and we are not.

This kind of fear anchors us. It pulls our hearts into alignment with God’s truth and steadies our steps when the world feels unstable. When we stand in awe of who God is, we begin to see life differently. Decisions become clearer. Temptations lose some of their appeal. Priorities shift. Wisdom grows not because we suddenly know all the answers, but because we trust the One who does.

True wisdom is lived, not merely learned. Psalm 111:10 reminds us that “all who follow His precepts have good understanding.” Wisdom is revealed in obedience—in choosing God’s ways, even when they are countercultural, inconvenient, or costly. The more we walk with Him, the more we recognize His faithfulness, and the deeper our reverence becomes.

Today, ask God to renew within you a holy awe for who He is. Let His greatness humble you, His goodness draw you near, and His Word guide your steps. Wisdom begins where self-confidence ends and God-confidence begins.

May your reverence lead you into clarity, strength, and a life firmly rooted in Him.

Psalm 105

Psalm 105 invites us to slow down, look back, and remember the faithfulness of God. As we gather for Thanksgiving, this psalm becomes a gentle but powerful reminder that gratitude begins with remembering. “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples.” The psalmist walks through Israel’s history—not to recount facts, but to stir the heart, reminding God’s people how He guided, protected, provided, and fulfilled every promise.

Thanksgiving gives us the same opportunity. Before the table is full and the house grows loud, we are invited to pause and reflect on how God has carried us. Like Joseph, He has worked good from what felt painful. Like Israel in Egypt, He has delivered us from burdens we could not lift ourselves. Like His people in the wilderness, He has provided in ways we could never have orchestrated.

The psalm ends with God’s covenant faithfulness on display, and our response is obedience and praise. This week, remember not just the blessings on the table, but the God who never forgot you, never abandoned His promises, and never stopped leading you. Let Thanksgiving become worship, and let worship become your way of life.

The book of Timothy was likely written around 62 to 64 AD, shortly after Paul’s first imprisonment. Paul was writing to his protege’ and “spiritual son” Timothy who was leading the church in Ephesus.

1 Timothy 3 offers timeless guidance on the kind of character God desires in those who lead His people—and, by extension, in every believer. Paul lists qualities for overseers and deacons such as being above reproach, self-controlled, faithful in marriage, temperate, gentle, and good managers of their households. While written for church leadership, these traits model Christian maturity and integrity in all areas of life. The passage reminds us that spiritual influence begins with personal character, not position or charisma.

For everyday life, this means living with consistency—what we are in private should match what we claim in public. It challenges us to pursue humility, self-discipline, and respect for others. Our homes become the first testing ground for faithfulness and stewardship, showing that godly leadership starts in small, unseen acts of service.

Paul also stresses that the church is “the pillar and foundation of the truth,” grounding our behavior in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our conduct reflects the reality of that truth to the world. Whether leading a family, workplace, or ministry, we are called to be examples of grace and integrity that point others to Christ.

In essence, 1 Timothy 3 calls us to a life of credibility, compassion, and conviction—living in such a way that Christ’s character is visible through ours, and our influence builds up the people and communities God has entrusted to us.

“Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

Psalm 90:14 is a heartfelt plea from Moses for renewal and joy in the midst of human frailty and divine judgment. Having reflected on the brevity of life and the weight of sin earlier in the psalm, Moses turns to God with a humble request — that His mercy would come early, filling the hearts of His people with satisfaction and gladness. The phrase “satisfy us early” speaks not only of urgency but also of a desire to begin each day anchored in God’s steadfast love. Moses understood that true joy does not come from possessions, achievements, or length of years, but from being satisfied in the mercy and presence of God Himself.

This verse reminds believers that while life is fleeting and uncertain, joy can be constant when rooted in divine mercy. Each morning becomes an opportunity to be filled anew with the assurance of God’s forgiveness and faithfulness. When our hearts are satisfied in Him first, even difficult seasons can be met with peace and gratitude.

For today’s Christian, Psalm 90:14 calls us to begin each day by seeking God’s mercy through prayer and reflection on His Word. It is an invitation to let His grace shape our outlook before the demands of the world take hold. In doing so, our hearts are steadied, our attitudes transformed, and our days filled with rejoicing — not because life is easy, but because God is enough.

Heavenly Father,
Satisfy my heart this morning with Your mercy and love. Before the noise of the day begins, fill me with the joy that comes only from knowing You. Teach me to find my contentment not in what I achieve, but in Your steadfast presence.

When I am weary, remind me that Your compassion is new every morning. When I am anxious, let Your mercy quiet my spirit. May the joy of Your salvation steady me through every challenge, and may my words and actions reflect the gladness that comes from walking with You.

Lord, help me to live each day aware of how brief life is, but also how rich it can be when spent in Your grace. Let Your favor rest upon me and establish the work of my hands for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

“Do not be silent, O God!” (Psalm 83:1)

In Psalm 83, Asaph cries out in desperation as Israel is beset by enemies who conspire for its annihilation. He prays not for self-glory, but for God’s name to be vindicated—and for deliverance from an overwhelming threat. Toward the end he says: “that they may seek Your name, O Lord … that they may know that You alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” (vv. 16,18) 

Today, as many await the freeing of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, this psalm takes on fresh emotional and spiritual resonance. The hostages represent innocent lives caught in the crossfire of forces far greater than themselves. Their families have prayed, pleaded, and waited, sometimes in utter silence. The expectation of their release brings hope that God may yet act dramatically in the realm of nations and suffering.

From Psalm 83 we learn:

• Cry boldly to God: Don’t hesitate to bring anguish, injustice, and longing before Him. “Do not be silent” is a sacred permission to pour out our hearts.
• Trust in God’s justice: The psalmist calls on God to thwart conspiracies and to scatter foes as chaff. When political and military power seem overwhelming, divine intervention remains possible.
• Aim for transformation, not just rescue: The ultimate end in Psalm 83 is that the nations would come to know God. So in praying for the hostages, we pray not only for their safe return, but for hearts to turn, for darkness to give way.

Let us pray:

Sovereign Lord, hear our cry and break the chains that bind these precious lives. Do not hide Your face. Grant deliverance that glorifies You. May those released know afresh Your mercy. Let this moment draw many to seek Your name and to acknowledge You as Most High. Amen.

Psalm 78 is a solemn reminder that God’s people must never forget His mighty works or take His mercy for granted. Asaph urges Israel to hear God’s Word and pass it on to future generations so that their children will “set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments” (v.7, NKJV). The psalm recounts how God miraculously delivered His people from Egypt, provided food and water in the wilderness, and guided them with His presence. Yet despite His goodness, they sinned repeatedly, tested Him with their rebellion, and provoked His anger.

Still, God showed compassion, restraining His wrath and remembering they were but flesh. However, persistent disobedience brought judgment: Ephraim was rejected, Shiloh was abandoned, and God raised up Judah and David to shepherd His people with integrity.

For today’s Christians, the warning is unmistakable. We too are in danger when we grow comfortable with God’s blessings yet continue in sin. To test God by presuming upon His grace is to invite His discipline. The Lord calls His people to genuine repentance, not half-hearted obedience. Just as Israel’s unfaithfulness brought loss and sorrow, so unrepented sin in our lives can grieve the Spirit and hinder our witness.

Psalm 78 urges us to repent quickly, to remember God’s faithfulness, and to walk in holiness before Him. By doing so, we not only honor the Lord but also leave a testimony of faithfulness for the next generation to follow.

Heavenly Father,

I thank You for Your mighty works and for the mercy You have shown me through Christ. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I have taken Your blessings for granted, tested Your patience, or walked in disobedience. Cleanse me from hidden sins and give me a heart that is quick to repent and eager to obey.

Lord, keep me humble, keep me faithful, and let me be a vessel through which the next generation learns to trust You. I place my hope fully in You and commit to living for Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Written with the assistance of ChatGPT

Today’s Reading: Psalm 71

Psalm 71 is a psalm of lifelong trust, offered from the perspective of someone who has walked with God since youth and now looks back in old age. The psalmist pleads, “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent” (v. 9). It is a prayer that God’s faithfulness will continue into life’s later chapters, but it is also a declaration of confidence: “You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again” (v. 20).

This perspective is deeply inspiring when we think about the idea of legacy. Leaders, influencers, and mentors—whether in faith, public life, or culture—are often remembered not just for their words, but for the consistency of their character and convictions across time.  While we as Christians mourn the murder of Charlie Kirk, we can remember him through the power of his convictions related to the Word of God. Psalm 71 reminds us that the highest calling of legacy is not fame or impact alone, but the testimony of God’s righteousness. Charlie consistently espoused that. The psalmist vows, “I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, O my God” (v. 22).

For us as Christian, this means living in a way that, when our days come to an end, others remember a life anchored in trust and faith. Charlie Kirk’s legacy is just beginning to be written.  Whether someone leads a large movement like Charlie, teaches a small group, or raises a family, the psalm calls us to use every stage of life to proclaim God’s goodness. True influence lies not only in building platforms, but in leaving behind a witness that points beyond ourselves to the Lord. Whether you have an impact like Charlie Kirk or an everyday Christian, we all can make an impact. Psalm 71 encourages us to think of legacy as a lifelong song of praise, meant to inspire generations still to come. Charlie Kirk certainly accomplished that.