Psalm 72:11–14

"All kings will bow before him,
and all nations will serve him.
He will rescue the poor when they cry to him;
he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them.
He feels pity for the weak and the needy,
and he will rescue them.
He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their lives are precious to him."

Psalm 72 is a prayer of Solomon, presumably for his reign as king and his sons' reign after him. However, he lapses into what looks like a description of God's reign. These verses describe a being who has God's own heart of compassion for the oppressed, weak, and needy. Do you, like Solomon, share God's thirst for justice? What can you do today to help alleviate someone else's suffering and bring justice into play?
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Philippians 1:19

"For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance."

What kept Paul going were the prayers of others and the direct help of the Holy Spirit. These bolstered his faith that everything was working together for his deliverance. How much do you depend on the prayers of others and your own experience of the Spirit's help?
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Isaiah 59:20–21

"'The Redeemer will come to Jerusalem
to buy back those in Israel
who have turned from their sins,'
says the LORD.
'And this is my covenant with them,' says the LORD. 'My Spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children forever. I, the LORD, have spoken!'"


We live in the fulfillment of this marvelous promise. The Redeemer, Jesus, has come to Jerusalem and bought back sinners through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Now we have the Holy Spirit and the completed Word. God spoke these words thousands of years ago, and now they have come true! Today, rejoice in the fact that you live under the new covenant of grace in Jesus. Trust the God who fulfilled this plan, for he will also fulfill the unique plans he has for you. "I, the Lord, have spoken!"
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Philippians 1:11

"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God."

Notice who produces good things in our lives. It's not us! It's Jesus. As we abide in him, he will change us and produce good fruit. Focus on the abiding, and he will take care of the fruit. A fruit tree doesn't labor to produce fruit. It's the natural result of the branch's attachment to the trunk and source of nutrients.
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions

Philippians 1:9–10

"I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return."

Do you ever wonder what to pray for your family members, friends, church members, or children? Try these verses. Pray for overflowing love, knowledge, and understanding of what really matters, so they will live pure and blameless lives until Christ returns to complete his work in them. (Not a bad prayer to pray for yourself as well!)
—Diane Eble, author of Abundant Gifts: A Daybook of Grace-Filled Devotions