July 5

Morning

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. — Rom 1:7 BSB

We tend to think of the New Testament saints as if they were "super saints" in a special sense, unlike other believers. But in reality, everyone whom God has called by His grace and sanctified by His Spirit is a saint. Still, we often view the apostles as extraordinary people, almost immune to the weaknesses and temptations we face. But when we think this way, we forget that the closer someone walks with God, the more aware they are of their own sinful heart. The more their Master honors them in service, the more their sinful nature harasses them.

In fact, if we had met the apostle Paul, we would have found him to be much like the rest of God’s chosen family. If we had spoken with him, we would have said, "His experiences are just like ours." Though he was more faithful, more holy, and more deeply taught than we are, he endured the same trials we do—and in some ways, he suffered even more.

So don’t think of the saints of old as being free from weaknesses or sins, and don’t hold them in such mystical reverence that you almost turn them into idols. Their holiness is within reach for us too. We’ve been "called to be saints" by the same voice that called them. It’s the duty of every Christian to press into that inner circle of saintliness. If they achieved more than we have in their walk with God, let’s follow them; let’s strive for their passion and holiness. We have the same light they had, and the same grace is available to us—so let’s not settle until we’ve matched them in godly character! They lived with Jesus and lived for Jesus, and that’s why they became like Jesus. Let’s live by that same spirit, "looking unto Jesus," and our sainthood will soon be visible!

Evening

Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal. — Isa 26:4 BSB

Since we have such a trustworthy God, let’s lean on Him with all our weight. Let’s drive out every trace of unbelief and work to rid ourselves of the doubts and fears that rob us of comfort. There’s no excuse for fear when God is the foundation of our trust.

Imagine how grieved a loving parent would be if their child couldn’t trust them. How much more ungenerous and unkind is it when we place so little confidence in our heavenly Father, who has never failed us and never will. Doubt shouldn’t have a place in God’s household, but unfortunately, unbelief is still as active today as it was when the psalmist asked, "Is His mercy gone forever? Will He never show His favor again?"

David didn’t have a long history with Goliath’s sword, but after one victory, he declared, "There is none like it!" He had used it once in the hour of his triumph, and it had proven its worth, so he praised it from then on. In the same way, we should speak well of our God, for there is no one like Him in heaven or on earth. "To whom will you compare Me? Or who is My equal?" says the Holy One. There’s no rock like the Rock of Jacob!

Instead of letting doubts linger in our hearts, let’s gather them all up, like Elijah did with the prophets of Baal, and slay them! And to drown them, let’s use the sacred stream that flows from our Savior’s wounded side. We’ve been through many trials, but we’ve never been in a place where God didn’t provide everything we needed. Let’s be encouraged to trust the Lord forever, knowing that His everlasting strength will be, as it has always been, our support and stay!