Happy New Year! 

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the Bible this year. The reading plan I have chosen for myself, and invite you to participate in, is the BibleProject: One Story That Leads to Jesus. You can find this in the YouVersion Bible app. This reading plan provides daily readings that will take us on a journey through the full text of the Bible. There is a wealth of explainer videos supplied by the BibleProject team.

The Bible translation I am using as my primary source this year is the New International Version (NIV). From time to time, I will compare and contrast other translations along with The Message paraphrase.

Who do you know who would benefit from joining us on this journey? You can forward these emails via the tools in the box at the top of the page. You can invite them to sign up via the form at davidgbowman.com.

As you know, there is no charge for these daily devotionals, and there never will be. There will never be any financial solicitations in this space.

Pray with me now that God would give us ears to hear and willing and obedient hearts to follow his words of truth and life.

With gratitude,
David Bowman

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Genesis 21:1, 2  Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what he had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (NIV)

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God’s promises, no matter how impossible they may sound, will each and every one find fulfillment in his perfect timing. He always does just what he says. His promises in progress are prognosticators of joy. 

Indeed, God’s promises are our most reliable predictors of joy. 

Aligning our lives with God’s promises keeps us moving in the direction of a joyful future.

Attuning our hearts with God’s promises teaches us how live and love with joy.

Sarah laughed when she heard God tell Abraham that she would have a son. (See Genesis 18:12.) Abraham, likewise, had laughed when he first heard this news. (See Genesis 17:17.) Old people like them don’t have natural born children. Naturally, the son to be born would be named Isaac, which means Laughter. 

Laughter and joy fill the lives of those who are filled with God’s Spirit and live by his guiding presence. (See Romans 15:13.)

The way to greater joy is through a deepening relationship with the Source of joy who is the Giver of All Good Things. (See James 1:17.) God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (See 1 Timothy 6:17.)

Settled joy beats a few moments of ill-gotten pleasure every time. And, there is never any regret from enjoying God’s largesse. 

Which of God’s promises is most dear to you? 

How are you positioning your life to receive what he will provide and share it with others? 

God’s promises always bless more broadly than a single individual. What he does in you will bless others, too. 

Wait confidently. Trust completely. Smile knowingly.

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I will wait in hopeful anticipation for God to bless us all with the fulfillment of his promises. 

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Our Father, your timing is perfect. I will wait in faith for you to do what only you can do. I will anticipate your kindness and joy. I will align my heart and mind with yours. Amen.