“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles.” Matthew 10:16-18
When Jesus chose the 12 apostles and sent them out to preach the gospel of the kingdom, He told them He was sending them out as sheep amid wolves, meaning they would encounter opposition and persecution — being delivered up to councils and scourged in synagogues. Jesus told them to exercise the wisdom of serpents but to be harmless as doves — to avoid unnecessary exposure to such persecution but, at the same time, to be as innocent and harmless as doves. Today, too, those who follow Jesus and share His Word will encounter persecution from the world and from erring churches and their leaders. Believers are to be wise and not seek to stir up opposition and persecution, but to be honest and faultless in presenting the truth.
Give me wisdom, O God, to avoid needless confrontation with the world and erring churches, but keep me faithful and uncompromising in my witness to the truth of Your Word, calling upon all to repent of their sinful and erring ways and to look to Jesus and His cross in faith for pardon and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You will, You can make me clean.’ And Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I will; be clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Matthew 8:2-3
We find in this leprous man a beautiful example of prayer. We should not command God or make demands of Him but, rather, pray with faith in God’s power and will as did this leper, saying, “Lord, if You will, You can …” We know from Scripture that God can do all things, and we trust that His will is always for our good and what is best for us.
Dear Lord Jesus, nothing is too hard for You. Grant to me what is for my eternal good. Not my will, but Your good and gracious will be done. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the Barbour Simplified KJV, copyright 2022, 2025. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.]
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” Psalm 91:1-3
Those who trust in the most-high God and take refuge in His grace and mercy won for us by God’s Son, Jesus Christ, have God’s promise of deliverance from the traps of enemies and from diseases and plagues, later called “the reward of the wicked” (v. 8).
O LORD, “my refuge and my fortress,” my God in whom I trust, have mercy on me, forgive my sins, and keep me in Your grace and under Your protection. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. Psalm 26:2-3
David here asks the LORD God to examine and test his innermost thoughts and desires so that he might repent of any evil in his life, look to God for mercy and forgiveness, and continue to walk in God’s truth. Are you willing to ask God to examine your heart and soul and reveal any evil in you so that you might repent and appeal to God’s lovingkindness for pardon and for the strength to amend your life and live for Him?
“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart,” and move me to repent of my sinful ways and look to Christ Jesus and His cross for mercy and forgiveness. Grant that I live my life for You in accord with Your Word. Amen.
[Scripture is taken from the King James Version of the Bible.]
Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. Psalm 1:5-6
Those who remain impenitent and continue in their sinful and rebellious ways will not stand in God’s judgment or be counted members of Christ’s Church. Instead, they will be condemned to the eternal fires of hell. But the LORD knows the way of those who are sorry for their sins and trust in Christ Jesus and will give them eternal life in His presence.
Grant that I acknowledge and repent of my sins, O LORD, and look to Christ Jesus and His cross for mercy and forgiveness that I may stand uncondemned in Your presence. Amen.
[Scripture quotations are taken from the Barbour Simplified KJV, copyright 2022, 2025. Used by permission of Barbour Publishing, Inc. Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683. All rights reserved.]
