1 Chronicles 17:23

Many have it all wrong about the Christian faith. There is a deceptive notion that once Jesus is accepted in their heart, all issues disappear and suffering ends. Others believe that they are exempt from experiencing such pain. Do not be deceived! In this walk, suffering is inevitable, but we have a promise. With that, we can proceed in life with boldness because we are backed by God!

In meditation years ago, I realized there are words God never seems to speak as humans do. One is “Sorry,” a word born from sorrow, imperfection, helplessness, or wrongdoing. Scripture shows that although God comforts His people and even fixes their problems, He never offers a helpless apology. I later noticed a similar pattern with “No” concerning the requests of His children. This does not mean the word never appears in Scripture, but that God does not outrightly reject His children’s requests. Instead, He answers differently. In this devotional, we’ll examine moments where God responded with “Instead” rather than denial.

Written following their return from exile, Chronicles is a theological retelling of Israel's monarchial history. In this post-exilic season, doubt and apathy plagued God's people and their trust in His promises. The Chronicler responds by reminding Israel of God's faithfulness from Adam to Moses to David and ultimately points toward a Greater David to come.

The weeks before Christmas are full of joy and anticipation, and they’re a great opportunity to reflect on Christ’s birth. Help your children countdown to Christmas with this 28-day reading plan! Each day features a short scripture reading and an engaging activity that will help your family remember what God did for us this season. Get resources on parenting, marriage, faith, and more at FocusOnTheFamily.com.