Apr 15, 2026 – Rock
Pienza, Italy
Utmost – Chambers warns, “Beware of the thing of which you say – ‘Oh, that does not matter much.’ The fact that it does not matter much to you may mean that it matters a very great deal to God. Nothing is a light matter with a child of God. How much longer are some of us going to keep God trying to teach us one thing? He never loses patience….Are you protesting that your heart is right with God, and yet is there something in your life about which He has caused you to doubt? Whenever there is doubt, quit immediately, no matter what it is. Nothing is a mere detail…. You no more need a holiday from spiritual concentration than your heart needs a holiday from beating.”
Power – Psalm 18:2 – “The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.” Joyce explains the reference of Jesus being our Rock “because He is stable and never-changing, just like a rock…. we are supposed to imitate Him. Waiting to see how you feel each day is never a good idea…. That just gives the devil room to make sure you don’t feel like doing what you need to do or what can benefit you…. we can choose to stand firm and be stable when we find our strength in the One Who never changes.”
Simpson tells of a shrub that grows out west and “in all parts of Texas…. It is a very slim, and willowy looking shrub, and would seem to be of little use for any industrial purposes; but it has extraordinary roots growing like great timbers underground, and possessing such qualities of endurance in situations that it is used and very highly valued for good pavements…. It reminds one of those Christians who make little show externally, but their growth is chiefly underground – out of sight, in the depth of God. These are the men and women that God uses for the foundation of things, and for the pavements of that city of God which will stand when all earthly things have crumbled in ruin and dissolved into oblivion.”
“Rooted and grounded in love” (Eph. iii. 17).
COTH – Stockstill writes, “Everyone, no matter how small or insignificant, can be included in God’s house. Can you imagine God taking time to record that He is concerned about a swallow’s having a place to nest in His house? God’s house is big and wide. It has room for anyone who desires to come under His shadow and eat from His table. And the fare in God’s house is delightful!”
Montefollonico, Italy
