Monday, November 10, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Revelation 22

Has anyone ever made it through life unscathed by hurt, betrayal, loss, or disappointment?

It’s part of the human condition that things rarely turn out the way we’d hoped. Often our unrealistic expectations have been shaped by things we’ve seen, heard, or even been taught.

I’m guessing many of us have taken a chance and invested time and effort into something that looked promising but never panned out. Or maybe, like Kate from our featured movie, Twisters, you experienced a huge loss, and you’re still blaming yourself for it.

Unfortunately, it is also human nature to “hedgehog,” or roll ourselves up into the proverbial ball after a bad experience so that no one can hurt us again, or us them. But how much peace and joy should we allow these trials to take from us?

It takes courage to try again.

That’s why we have Jesus! He told us we would have trouble in this world, and boy, was he right!

We live in a broken world, full of pain, uncertainty, and storms we never saw coming. And yet, even in the midst of it all, Jesus has work for us to do. His call to follow him doesn’t pause when life gets hard, so it’s not always easy living in obedience to him. But we will never walk these uncertain roads alone, because he promises to be with us always:

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20 - emphasis added).

He also promises to never fail or abandon us:

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you” (Deuteronomy 31:8 - emphasis added).

Our peace doesn’t come from what is going on around us but from the power and presence of Jesus in our lives. Our circumstances are often not under our control, but thankfully, we get to choose who we trust in those circumstances.

I’m trusting the guy who overcame the world and told me he would give me his peace in the midst of my trials. Who will you trust?

John 16:33
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Questions:
Where do you turn when things don’t go as you’d hoped? Are you trusting Jesus with the outcome?

Next Steps:
Memorize Hebrews 13:5b-6:

For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”

Repeat.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you are the kingdom, the power, and the glory. Everything is in your hands. You are sovereign and in control. Nothing ever catches you by surprise. It is so important for me to remember this truth as I stumble through this life, one step forward and two steps back. Yet you promise me your peace in the midst of my circumstances. Help me to trust that even when I don't understand, you are still in control. My heart rests in you, and I am grateful. Shalom, shalom - you are my peace. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Romans 1:20
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

This post was written by Lauri White, an Oregon attendee, and a regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.