FALAITE ‘OKATOPA 31, 2025

THE PURPOSE OF THE CROSS

KO E TAUMU’A ‘O E KOLOSI

LUKE 23:33

"When they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left." 

LUKE 23:33

Pea ‘i he‘enau a‘u ki he potu ‘oku ui ko Kalevale, na‘a nau kalusefai ‘i ai ia mo e ongo angahala, ko e taha mei to‘omata‘u, mo e taha mei to‘ohema. 

The Gospel writers, without exception, do not dwell on the manner in which Jesus was crucified. Indeed, if you search the Gospels, you will discover that there are few details concerning Christ's physical suffering. Given the exceptionally brutal manner in which He was executed and the fact that all of Scripture moves us toward the cross, this absence of detail should give us pause, causing us to wonder why the Savior's death is captured only in that simple phrase "There they crucified him."

Presumably, the Gospel writers understood that if they focused on the physical sufferings of Jesus, then we could very easily stop at that. We might mistakenly think that once we have been gripped, stirred, and moved by this dreadful scene, we have come to terms with it. In point of fact, though, to focus on the outward aspects - the physicality - of this terrible event is to miss the purpose of the cross altogether.

For this reason, the Gospel writers did not explain much of what Jesus' physical suffering was like but rather point to what was happening to Him spiritually as He hung there. Their focus is more on the purpose of the cross than on the cross itself.

Throughout Scripture - indeed, from the very beginning of it all, in the book of Genesis - the greatest need of humanity is atonement. As soon as the first man and woman turned their backs on God in the Garden of Eden, they were alienated from Him on account of their disobedience. Ever since, humanity has followed in our first ancestors steps: we, too, turn our backs on God and live in His world in rebellion against Him. This sin, this alienation, must be atoned for, and no amount or doing or trying on our part can reconcile us to God.

But in Jesus, "the righteousness of God has been manifested" to us (Romans 3:21), and we are reconciled to the Father through faith in the Son, "whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith" (Romans 3:25). This is atonement. This is the place where the Father's wrath over sin was turned away from sinners and onto another onto His own Son. This is the purpose, the great and wondrous achievement, of the cross.

There is all the difference in the world between sympathy for Jesus as the perfect sufferer and faith in Christ as our personal Savior. Stop and consider what He hung on the cross to do. Reflect on His spiritual suffering - the agony of bearing the judgment of His Father. Do not gaze on Him so that you feel sorry for Him, but until you are worshiping Him.

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 16-18; 1 John 5

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 16-18; 1 Sione 5

 TU’APULELULU ‘OKATOPA 30, 2025

THE POWER AND MYSTERY OF OBEDIENCE

KO E IVI MO E MISITELI ‘O E TALANGOFUA

1 SAMUEL 16:1, 4

"The LORD said to Samuel, 'How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your born with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons'... Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem."

1 SAMIUELA 16:1, 4

1 PEA folofola ‘a Sihova kia Sāmiuela, Ko futu ho‘o fakamamahi koe‘uhi ko Saula, ka kuo u li‘aki ia mei he‘ene Tu‘i ‘Isileli? Fakafonu lolo ho‘o nifo‘i manu, pea ‘alu, ‘o fai ‘eku fekau kia Sese ko e tangata Pētelihema: he kuo u tokonaki haku tu‘i mei hono ngaahi foha. 4 Pea fai ‘e Sāmiuela ‘a e me‘a na‘e tala ‘e he ‘Eiki, pea ne a‘u ki Pētelihema. Pea ha‘u tetetete pē ‘a e mātu‘a ‘o e kolo ke fakafetaulaki kiate ia, pea nau pehē, Ko ho‘o ha‘u melino pē?

Samuel stands out in the pages of biblical history but neither on account of the originality of his ideas nor because he was an initiative-taker. No, his distinction is that he was a man who simply did what God told him. After Saul's rebellion against God, the Lord rejected Saul as king and Samuel was the one who was told to inform the king of this. So he did (1 Samuel 15:10, 26-29). God then told Samuel that the season of grieving was over and that it was time for him to move on to his next assignment: anointing the next king of Israel. So he did. God said it, and Samuel did it.

The instruction given to the prophet to prepare some oil, go to the small, insignificant town of Bethlehem, and meet with a man called Jesse probably didn't seem incredibly spectacular to Samuel. But he could never have understood the extent to which his obedience would bring him into the heart of a climactic moment in the ongoing story of God's salvation of His people.

It was in the town of Bethlehem that, decades earlier, God had provided a husband for the young widow Ruth. Her grandson Jesse was the man that God sent Samuel to meet, and her great-grandson, David, was the boy whom God would tell Samuel to anoint as king. A thousand years later, in Bethlehem, God would bring forth His Anointed One, Jesus-a descendant of David (Matthew 1:1, 5-6), whom Samuel anointed that day to be ruler and shepherd over all His people (2:6). Samuel's obedience to all that God told him to do put him on the stage as this next scene of God's sovereign plan unfolded. But Samuel did not know any of that as he filled his horn with oil and began his journey to Bethlehem.

Most of the commands of God don't involve any impressive deeds or great drama. Many of us will not understand the significance of our obedience. Often we will obey not because we can see what God is doing but simply because we have committed ourselves to obeying Him. We may live our lives never knowing what a particular act of obedience has meant in His plans. Be careful, then, to faithfully obey even the seemingly inconsequential instructions of God, for obedience to His command is always right, and you never know beforehand how He will use it.

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 14-15; 1 John 4

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 14-15; 1 Sione 4

 PULELULU ‘OKATOPA 29, 2025

THE DEVIL DEFANGED

KUO TA’AKI E NIFO FEKAI ‘O E TEVOLO

1JOHN 3:8

"The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil."

1SIONE 3:8

Ko ia ‘oku fai angahala ko e tupu-mei-he-tēvolo ia; he ko e Tēvolo ko e fai angahala ia mei he kamata ‘anga. Ko hono ‘uhinga ia na‘e fakae‘a ai ‘a e ‘Alo ‘o e ‘Otua, koe‘uhi ke ne holoki ‘a e ngaahi ngāue ‘a e Tēvolo.

By grace, every believer in Christ has been transferred from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of God's beloved Son (Colossians 1:13). We live in the world now as children of light and endeavor to bear the fruit of that light (Ephesians 5:8-9). Yet as glorious as this may be, we know that darkness is not yet fully eradicated from our lives, The truth is that everyone who becomes a citizen of Christ's kingdom is caught up in a cosmic conflict of eternal significance, Praise the Lord, the Evil One has been powerless to prevent God's adopted children from knowing, salvation-but having tasted that measure of defeat, he now seeks to do everything in his power to prevent us from living as true heirs of our Father's eternal kingdom. He is totally committed to disrupting and destroying what it means for us to "be imitators of God" (Ephesians 5:1) and to "walk children of light" (v 8). His one great aim is to stop you trusting in Christ-to knock you off the narrow road before you reach the gates of glory.

We should not ignore the alarming terms which Scripture uses to describe the devil and the urgent terms in which we are urged to withstand him. Peter urges us to "be sober-minded" and "watchful" because our "adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking, someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is a real and a vicious enemy. He trades in doubt, division, and destruction. He comes at us both morally and intellectually. With the ferocity of a supernaturally empowered beast, he seeks to maul us and shred our faith to pieces.

What is a Christian to do when faced with such a vicious enemy? The good news for us is this: "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." Though he may still prowl, his defanging has already begun, and ultimately, he will be cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).

Defeat is certain for the devil and his minions and, through Christ, victory over him is yours, Christian. In Christ, God has given you the spiritual power to "stand against the schemes of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). He offers you indestructible armor in the gospel and His very word as your sword (v 11-17). When you fall, you are forgiven. The devil has no power over you. James puts our charge succinctly: "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7).

So, where is the battle for you? Is it against a particular sin or in a certain trial? Take up the means of grace God offers you in Christ - including your company of fellow soldiers - and, by simply believing the gospel of God, force the prowling lion to retreat!

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 12-13; 1 John 3

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 12-13; 1 Sione 3

 TUSITE ‘OKATOPA 28, 2025

THE ONLY FAITHFUL ONE

KO E TOKOTAHA FAI MO’ONI PE TAHA

PSALM 36:5

"Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds." 

SAAME 36:5

‘E Sihova, ‘oku ‘asi ‘i he ngaahi langi ‘a ho‘o ‘alo‘ofa; ‘Oku a‘u ho‘o fai mo‘oni ki he ngaahi ‘ao na.

If you do a little digging, you'll find plenty of articles that ask the question, "Is anyone faithful anymore?" Usually, they refer to marriage, but the question is applicable to almost any sphere of life. When I talk to members of my congregation who work in business, for example, they often tell me of workers who appear to be very committed to the team and the mission at the beginning, but then, all of a sudden, they're nowhere to be found. Loyalty to the company or the task at hand frequently dissipates very, very quickly.

It's rare to find people known for steady devotion and consistency, who let their yes be yes and their no be no (Matthew 5:37). And when we do find someone who makes a promise and keeps it, even when it's difficult, it's quite striking.

The only perfect standard of faithfulness that we have of total loyalty and of complete commitment to keeping a promise - is God. The psalmists continually reflect upon it. As high as you can see, Psalm 36 tells us, that is how far God's faithfulness stretches. There are no ends to which He will not go to remain loyal to His people; there is nothing that will prevent Him keeping His word. Moses continually reminded the people of Israel of God's faithfulness: "Know that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant" (Deuteronomy 7:9). James, too, describes God's faithfulness by saying that in Him "there is no variation or shadow due to change" (James 1:17). God's faithfulness is one aspect of the absolute perfection of His character. Given that every believer has staked their eternal future on Him keeping His word, this is very good news!

Other people, as well as the gods of your own creation, will inevitably let you down - be it through their flaws or their frailty. The only promise that can utterly be relied upon is that of the eternal, righteous God, who has revealed Himself in creation and who has confirmed His truthfulness in the person of His Son. He is 100-percent reliable all of the time, for all of eternity - including for all that you are facing today.

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 9-11; 1 John 2

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 9-11; 1 Sione 2

 MONITE ‘OKATOPA 27, 2025

ACCESS TO GOD

MATAPAA KI HE ‘OTUA

HEBREWS 9:11-12

"Through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of his creation) he entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption." 

HEPELU 9:11-12

11 Ka ‘i he a‘u mai ‘a Kalaisi, ko e Taula‘eiki Lahi ‘o e ngaahi lelei ka hoko ni, na‘a ne fou atu ‘i he Tāpanekale lahi mo haohaoa ange ko ē, ‘a ia ne ‘ikai ngaohi ‘e he nima, ‘e ia ko e pehē na‘e ‘ikai ‘o e ‘ūnivēsi ko eni, 12 ‘uma‘ā ha‘ane ‘alu ‘aki ‘a e toto ‘o e kosi mo e kafi, ka ‘aki hono ta‘ata‘a ‘o‘ona pē, ‘o ne hū ai ke tātu‘otaha ki he Potu Toputapu na, ‘o ne lava‘i ai ha huhu‘i ta‘engata.

The wonder of the Bible’s story is that God - seeing us in our inability to know Him, and to serve Him,to love Him, to understand Him -  came to redeem and restore us. God secured our redemption through a series of mighty acts, culminating in the Lord Jesus Christ, whom He sent in order to bring us back into relationship with Himself. In bridging the chasm between God and us, Jesus fulfills His role as our Great High Priest, As Jewish Christians, the first recipients of the letter to the Hebrews had experienced tremendous changes as a result of following Jesus, particularly in their worship. Their devotion was no longer marked by the grandeur of the temple and all of its accompanying sights, sounds, and fragrances, and they no longer participated in witnessing the high priest coming out on the Day of Atonement.

All of this had changed when Jesus, by His death on the cross, became both the sacrifice and the scapegoat for sins. In the same way that the high priest had previously emerged from behind the temple curtain as an indication that God had accepted the people's sacrifice for sin, the Lord Jesus had come forth from the tomb to declare His sacrifice accepted by the Father. The curtain had been torn (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The door of heavenly access was now open.

By fulfilling the priestly role, Jesus has secured our access to God once and for all. There is no need for repetition - no need for another sacrifice. In contrast to the Old Testament high priests, who stood daily, "offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins," Christ "offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins," and then "he sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:11-12).

The wonder in this, of course, is that Jesus did what no one else could do. He was the priest who made the offering and at the same time He was the offering. He voluntarily bore the punishment that was due to us on account of our sin, in order that we might enjoy full pardon from and reconciliation with God.

What difference does this make to us? First, it inspires constancy in our hearts. The first readers of the letter to the Hebrews seem to have been tempted to turn back to their Jewish rites. But Jesus is the ultimate and final High Priest and sacrifice. There is no need to go anywhere else, and there is nowhere else to go. Second, it brings confidence to our prayers. For as we approach God on His throne through Christ, we do so without fear, knowing we are forgiven and are speaking to our heavenly Father. Do you struggle with constancy or with confidence? See Jesus, your High Priest, who has entered into the presence of God, in the heavenly tent-and know that in Him, and Him alone, you have all you need.

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 6-8; 1 John 1

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 6-8; 1 Sione 1

 SAPATE ‘OKATOPA 26, 2025

HE HAS MERCY FOR YOU

‘OKU NE ‘ALO’OFA MAI KIATE KOE

LUKE 18:13

"The tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"" 

LUKE 18:13

Ka ko si‘i pōpilikane na‘a ne tu‘u pē mei ha potu, ‘o mama‘o atu, pea na‘a mo hono mata na‘e ‘ikai te ne fa‘a hiki ki he langi; ka ka sī fatafata pē ia, ‘o ne pehē, ‘E ‘Otua, ke ke fakamolemole au, ‘a au angahala. 

One of our world's great tragedies is that churches sometimes perpetrate falsehoods about God. This happens whenever a person or an institution confuses the gospel of grace with religious routine.

Perhaps you've heard before, or have been given the impression, that what you need to do is get yourself as fit as you possibly can in order to approach God: that God will not accept you unless you come acceptably to Him, unless you have something good you can show for yourself. Nothing could be further from the truth! All the fitness that God requires is that you see and confess your need of Him.

By our very nature, we do not see our need for God. Instead, we resist Him: "No one seeks for God No one does good, not even one" (Romans 3:11-12). It is therefore a great and glorious experience when suddenly, perhaps taking even ourselves by surprise, we find ourselves saying, You know, this wonderful offer of salvation in Jesus is exactly the thing that I need. To see, to know, to feel, and to experience the depth of our insufficiency and then begin to see the light of God's mercy is nothing short of a miracle.

When Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who came to the temple, He had exactly this sort of humble self-recognition in mind. The Pharisee pleads his righteousness and is proud that he is "not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector" (Luke 18:11). The tax collector, however, takes an utterly different approach. He has no confidence in himself and no sense that he deserves an audience with a holy God. All he can muster are these precious words: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" And yet it is this man, the tax collector, who Jesus says "went down to his house justified, rather than the other" (v 14).

This parable is a wonderful invitation to those of us who know we have messed up in life. It is also a great challenge to those of us who have been Christians for years - for the devil loves to point us to our good works and suggest that we now deserve aассерtance from God. As the religious expert, the Pharisee should have known better, but his religious uprightness blinded him to grace. Don't be fooled as he was. In the end, all that you ever bring to God is an empty cup for Him to fill. You are never anything other than a sinner in need of mercy - but you need never be anything other than that, for God loves to be merciful to sinners. Come freely. Come with empty hands. Come without worry. He has mercy for you.

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 3-5; 1 Timothy 6

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 3-5; 1 Timote 6

 TOKONAKI ‘OKATOPA 25, 2025

TRUTH TRANSFORMS

‘OKU LILIU MO’UI ‘A E MO’ONI

PSALM 3:3-5

"You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me." 

SAAME 3:3-5

3 Ka ko koe, E Jihova, koe fakaū kiate au; ko hoku nāunāu, moe hiki hake a hoku ulu. 4 Naaku tagi kia Jihova aki hoku le‘o, bea naa ne ogo‘i au mei hono mouga maonioni. Sila. 5 Neu tokoto hifo o mohe; beau a hake; he ko Jihova naa ne tokoni‘i au.(UESI)

There is a direct correlation between thinking properly and doing wisely. It is as true in living the Christian life as it is anywhere else.

Take David in Psalm 3, for example. First, he calls to mind truths about God: "You, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head." Then, out of that truth, he "crie[s] aloud to the LORD." There's a lesson in the order of those verses: we have to know and believe the truth about God before we can call out to Him and confidently expect His help.

Sometimes, as we hear God's word being read and taught, we might think to ourselves, "I don't need to know more stuff about God! Just tell me how to work in my office. Just tell me how to be a good wife. Just tell me how to get through my schooling." But the reality is that you must know truth about God first. Then, and only then, what you know about God will empower you to press on, no matter your circumstances. It is truth that transforms us.

Truth also offers us rest. We know from the inscription of Psalm 3 ("A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son") and from verse 1 ("O LORD, how many are my foes!") that David was writing at a time when he faced great trouble. His son had rebelled against him and was threatening to take the kingdom from him. Yet, in this moment when all seemed lost and the temptation to despair must have been strong, David was able to say, "I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me." Sleep in itself is a gift - God "gives to his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2, emphasis added). But to sleep when you are faced with an insurrection led by a member of your own family - that is a phenomenal testament to God's comforting grace.

David probably felt like doing a million things in an attempt to remedy his trouble. Nevertheless, he found rest because he knew God would watch over him. He knew the truth that ultimately, regardless of how dire his circumstances seemed, "salvation belongs to the LORD" (Psalm 3:8). Likewise, whatever your circumstances, the very same truth that transformed David and gave him rest is yours today. Will you believe it? For it is in knowing that the Lord saves and sustains you that you will find peace in the midst of life's storms, and that you will find yourself able to rest even on the hardest of days. We can sleep because He does not.

Bible Through The Year: 2 Samuel 1-2; 1 Timothy 5

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 2 Samiuela 1-2; 1 Timote 5

 FALAITE ‘OKATOPA 24, 2025

A SOLID CONVICTION

KO E LOTO PAU’IA MO’ONI

ROMANS 8:28

"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." 

LOMA 8:28

Bea ‘oku tau ‘ilo ‘oku fegaue’aki fakataha ‘a e gaahi me’a kotoa be ke lelei ai ‘akinautolu ‘oku ‘ofa ki he Otua, ‘akinautolu kuo ui ‘o tatau mo ‘ene tuutuuni. (UESI)

The way we respond to life's circumstances reveals a lot about us. Some look at life and think, "I'm stuck in a dead-end job. I eat the same lunch almost every day. My relationships usually bring me down more than they build me up. And I'm supposed to believe this is good-that this is the gift of God? I don't see it."

Yet if we are in Christ, then we are assured that God's perfect plan is unfolding exactly as He intends. And we are taught that we exist for a purpose far greater than "just" driving a bus, being a teacher, or being a parent. An occupation is never meant just to pay the bills. A hobby is never meant just to entertain or pass the time. The content we consume with our eyes and ears is never meant just to distract our minds from life's stresses. Everything we do is an opportunity to honor God, to become more like His Son, and to point others to Him. It is when we lose sight of this that even the most satisfying moments of life will eventually leave us feeling empty, and the worst times in life will cause us to question His presence or goodness.

When we look at life with a Romans 8:28-shaped perspective, everything changes. Sure, many of our circumstances stay the same. We face many of the challenges that we've always had but we face them with a new heart and with the great hope of eternal life. God may see fit to leave you in the same situation you've been in for years, but He will never leave you alone in it. He has promised a Helper (John 14:16-17), and He has no abandoned projects. He has no forsaken children. You live within the framework of His unfailing providential care.

When God's word reminds you that "for those who love God all things work together for good," it points you away from your own view of things, away from the world's view of things, and toward God's unseen hand stitching together all the events of your life-including those you would never have chosen-to work for good. And what is that good? "To be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:29). In everything, God is shaping you to be more like Jesus, ready for the day when you have the joy of seeing Jesus.

Remember, then, that all of your circumstances, from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows, are instruments of divine mercy that God is using to accomplish His eternal purpose. What a comfort to trust Him every day! What a motivation to serve Him today!

Bible Through The Year: 1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Timothy 4

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 1 Samiuela 30-31; 1 Timote 4

 TU’APULELULU ‘OKATOPA 23, 2025

DEEP COMFORT

FAKAFIEMALIE MO’ONI

LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." 

TANGILAULAU 3:22-23

22 Ko e ‘ū ‘ofa pē ‘a Sihova, ‘a ia ‘oku ‘ikai te tau ‘auha ai; Koe‘uhi ‘oku ‘ikai ke ‘osi ‘ene fai faka‘atu‘i. 23 ‘Oku nau fo‘ou ‘i he pongipongi kotoa;

The expression of God's faithfulness found in this verse is familiar to many of us. It's the kind of text that is routinely put on mirrors or on nice pictures with the sea and sky in the background. We may well, then, be used to seeing this verse in a very comfortable setting. In reality, though, it actually comes from quite a dark place. If it were set to music, it would be set in a minor key.

The book of Lamentations is situated in an uncomfortable setting, for it is the reflections of the prophet Jeremiah upon the circumstances of God's people when Jerusalem was taken by Babylon and they were carried off into exile. Lamentations is exactly what its title suggests: a series of poems that express the people's sorrow for what has taken place.

Lamentations begins in absolute desolation: "How lonely sits the city that was full of people!" (Lamentations 1:1). In the face of such catastrophe, it's common to think that evil has defeated good or that God has given up on sinners. But in the case of Jerusalem's fall, nothing could have been further from the truth. God was still in charge. It was He who allowed the powers of Babylon to rise in order that His people would become aware of their sinfulness and neediness and cry out to God in repentance.

The Lord afflicted His people "on the day of his fierce anger" (Lamentations 1:12). Yet in the midst of their deep sorrow, He also brought a deeply comforting word. His people may have been brought low, but they had not been forsaken. They had experienced the ending of many things: the end of peace, the end of security, and the end of home. But two things they would never experience the end of: God's steadfast love and God's undeserved mercies. Those were new, and sufficient, every morning. The people would learn far more about their God in the place of exile than they ever had in the comfort of home.

Indeed, it is often in our darkest moments that the faithful character of God shines most brightly to us. When things are going well, we're tempted to think we're sufficient on our own. But in moments of despair, we can cling to God's faithfulness, and in times of failure, we can appreciate His mercy.

You may someday find yourself in a similar situation to that of the citizens of the ransacked Jerusalem - a situation in which all the wheels have come off and you feel bereft of joy. Perhaps you find yourself in that place today. In moments like these, when life is set in a minor key, you need this deeply comforting reminder: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercy will never run dry. His faithfulness toward you will never fail. In those moments when we have lost much, we can rely on this: we will never lose His love, and we will never lose His mercy.

Bible Through The Year: 1 Samuel 27-29; 1 Timothy 3

Lau ‘a e Tohitapu ‘i he ta’u ‘e taha: 1 Samiuela 27-29; 1 Timote 3