Looking for good Bible verses to reflect on, or wondering why the Bible matters for your everyday life? Check out our Scripture devotional below. It’s one of our simple devotions, great for getting started reading the Bible, and hearing how Scripture is making an impact in the lives of other believers! 

Hope in the Dark

When the world seems too broken, Natalie offers us a picture of God’s love.

Luke 23:43

“Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”

Written by Natalie Reeder

I never lost my faith, but I was still plagued by the question, “If God is good, why do bad things happen?”

In Luke 23, we read about a criminal’s interaction with Jesus. The conversation isn’t over coffee in their favorite rendezvous spot that plays Christian radio. Instead, it’s on a cross with nails driven into their hands and feet. Jesus understood the agony in the man’s eyes. The criminal, undoubtedly facing the most painful moment of his life, commits himself to Jesus, and Jesus states in verse 43, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Jesus gave this man hope in the face of death.

The world is corrupt because of the fall of humanity, but God never withdrew his goodness and presence from the earth. The world still brims with goodness, love, and kindness because God hasn’t abandoned us. God’s goodness is in the kind words of a stranger while you’re at work. It’s found in a forgiving friend. God’s beauty is seen in a welcoming community when you’re new to town or experiencing the fulfillment of answered prayers. He’s with us in our pain, sorrow, grief, and tragedies. Not only is he with us, but Jesus fills life generously with his goodness and love.

Why It Matters

Imagine, in your pain, having no option to pray, hope for the future, or forgiveness for the past. No access to physical, spiritual, and emotional healing. Without Jesus, this world is empty of hope. This side of eternity will always be broken, but because of Jesus, there’s also goodness. When you face the trouble of living in this world, Jesus empathizes with you, listens, converses, and feels the pain with you, rescues you, and ultimately gives you the hope of eternity with him. God is good even when life is far from good.

Do you ever need some good Bible verses to reflect on? We’ve pulled together a few of our favorite short, simple devotions to help you better connect with God in the everyday moments. See this link to check them out!