Day 3: The Advocate and the Defender
1 John 2:1
“May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, ‘The Lord is great!’ But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay.” —Psalm 40:16–17
The Lord is the comfort of every soul that longs for Him in sincerity. He never leads to disappointment, but to a deep, abiding joy that is not tied to circumstances, flowing from communion with the living God.
Our greatest comfort lies in magnifying the Lord even in the midst of trouble. Even when the solution is not yet visible, we declare with confidence that He has not forgotten those who love Him (see Isaiah 49:15–16). Every time we praise Him, we proclaim our faith that salvation is on its way and that the Lord will be glorified above all pain.
Here lies a deeply personal comfort: even in our lowest, most broken state, we are not forgotten. The Lord does not only attend to the strong—He draws near to the poor in spirit, the helpless, and the weary (see Psalm 35:10). He is my help and my deliverer. He will not delay, for He sees, He hears, and He cares.
These three comforts draw for us a sacred portrait of the living God:
He delights in those who seek Him.
He is glorified in the hearts of those who love Him.
He is near to the brokenhearted.
Reflection Prayer
Lord, we rejoice in You, for You are our hope and our comfort in every season. We magnify Your name even in trouble, trusting that Your salvation is near and that You never forget those who love You. Thank You for caring for the poor and the brokenhearted, for drawing near to the weak and the weary. You are our help and our deliverer—do not delay. Draw us closer to You and fill our hearts with steadfast joy and daily praise. Amen.
Week 1: Christ Our Savior
Colossians 1:13
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ Our Savior, which forms part of the fourfold gospel of Jesus, a cornerstone of our denomination. God’s plan for salvation commenced immediately following the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden. The consequence of sin is death; however, it was not God’s intention for humanity to endure eternal death. Out of His love for the world, He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on our behalf, allowing us to attain salvation and reconciliation with Him. Salvation can only be obtained through Jesus Christ, as there is no other name by which humanity is saved. Furthermore, our salvation is not achieved through good works, but rather through the righteousness of Jesus, imparted by faith and through the grace of God.
Reflection Questions
Do you believe Jesus has paid your debts in full, or do you still struggle with earning your salvation?
How often have you shared this truth with those close to you who need salvation?
What is your personal salvation story and experience?