Friday, August 14, 2026
New Testament Reading Plan: Leviticus 25-27 | 1 Corinthians 9
Connecting with someone we've never met can feel unnatural. After all, we live in a world where AI can generate convincing video images from anything typed into a Copilot message. Wondering if something is real or not can make us skeptical, leaving us with a mindset that if we can't see something for ourselves, we probably shouldn't believe it. And we certainly shouldn’t expect this unseen connection to change our lives for the better.
Yet in this Scripture, Peter writes about believers who loved Jesus even though they had never seen him face-to-face. And the result: inexpressible joy.
1 Peter 1:8
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
How is this possible?
The answer is faith.
Faith is more than wishful thinking. It's trusting that God's presence is real, even when we can't see it.
Hebrews 11:1 says that faith gives us confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Faith allows us to live by what God says is true instead of being ruled by what our circumstances, or the things of this world, seem to say.
This doesn't mean we ignore reality. It means we recognize a deeper reality. God is present even when we feel alone, and he is working even when we can't see results.
That's why Scripture encourages us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). When we fix our attention only on what is visible, it's easy to become discouraged. But when we remember that God's promises are eternal and his presence is constant, our perspective begins to change.
As you choose to trust his character, his promises, and his presence, you'll discover that faith doesn't lead to disappointment. It leads to joy.
In a world that tells us to believe only what we can see, faith reminds us that God's unseen presence is more certain than our changing circumstances. And that truth gives us a joy that lasts.
Questions:
When have you found it difficult to trust something you couldn't see?
In what ways can you remind yourself of God’s presence when you feel uncertain or alone?
Next Steps:
Choose a promise from Scripture to meditate on this week whenever doubt creeps in. If you need a place to start, revisit the Promises of God from our past series Sounds of Summer, where we explored the promises of God that made our hearts sing.
Share your experience of trusting the unseen with a friend or in a journal.
Ask God to strengthen your faith and help you recognize his presence in your everyday life.
21 Days of Prayer | Today’s Focus: For Our Leaders
Prayer:
God, I pray for the leaders you have appointed in every sphere of life - in our government, churches, communities, businesses, schools, and families. Give each leader wisdom and discernment to make good choices. Protect and guide them as they face daily challenges and pressures. God, help me to support and respect them with grace and confidence. Thank you for the opportunity to be a positive influence on the leaders in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Series Theme Verse:
John 13:35
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content at CedarCreek Church.