“Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin.” – Job 14:16-17

In 2010, an oil rig named “Deepwater Horizon” suffered a catastrophic failure. Due to improper installation of the cement seal, a malfunctioning blowout preventer, and cost-cutting decisions by corporate, the rig exploded, and crude oil began pouring unrestrained into the Gulf of Mexico. During the time between the leak’s creation and its sealing, 3.19 million barrels of crude oil spilled into the sea.

It didn’t take long for locals to notice the impact. Miles of ocean were inky black. Countless fish were dead and covered in oil. Once the oil began reaching shorelines and island soil, sandy beaches became a sickly grey, and poisoned grassy fields withered.

Naturally, locals sprang into action. They set physical barriers to control the oil’s flow, cleaned pelicans whose wings were glued together by oil, and skimmed what oil they could off the surface of the water. However, everybody knew that these efforts, helpful as they may have been, would mean nothing if the fissure 5,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface were not addressed.

Finally, after 87 days, the owner of the rig, British Petroleum, pumped cement (this time using higher-quality materials) into the gash and cut off the leak. Although the disaster's ramifications persist in destroyed ecosystems and dead coral that will take thousands of years to return to their former glory, the oil was ultimately cleaned up, and the ocean has been restored.

Our souls suffer a spill of their own. We have a sin crisis. It seeps into every aspect of our lives, destroying wherever it goes. We locals can do all that we can think of to keep it at bay. We can scrub beaches, follow all the rules, live as pure as we may, but all of that is only dealing with symptoms, while the true disaster goes unaddressed. The fissure is open, and no matter how hard we work to keep our tidy little shores clean, our work is futile unless the hole is plugged.

No local can reach the hole 5,000 feet under the surface of the sea. We are helpless unless someone outside goes and seals it for us. Christ is the only one who can deal with our sin. His atoning blood is the only thing that can possibly reach the depths of our hearts, pay the price for our sin, and set us free.

We may not immediately feel like everything is better. We may sometimes feel overwhelmed by our sin. But rest assured, the battle is won. We are a new creation; God Himself will sanctify us, and, in the end, we will be perfectly pure before Him.

We have a Heavenly Father who has compensated for our all of our sins through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for covering your sins and live today for Christ's glory.

“When Jesus bowed his head, And dying took our place, The veil was rent, a way was found To that pure home of grace.” – John Elias

God’s Word: “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” – 1 Peter 3:18

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“But I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God. You, however, smear me with lies; you are worthless physicians, all of you! If only you would be altogether silent! For you, that would be wisdom.” – Job 13:3-5

Clark Stanley, the self-styled Rattlesnake King, claimed to have been born in 1854. But his exploits earned him a spot in history as the original snake oil salesman.

Stanley claimed that he had spent time with native Hopi medicine men who showed him the medical benefits of rattlesnake oil. He used the 1893 World’s Exposition in Chicago for self-promotion, cutting a live snake open in front of spectators. This buzz notwithstanding, Stanley’s snake oil turned out to be totally useless.

Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906 to stomp out snake oil salesmen like Stanley, and in 1917 a federal investigation finally brought his operation down.

Investigators discovered that Stanley’s snake oil was mostly just ordinary mineral oil and beef fat, flavored with red pepper and turpentine. He was fined $20 ($429 today) for fraud, a charge he did not dispute.

We need to avoid giving and listening to foolish advice. Today in prayer, look to the Lord in prayer and in your Bible for the wisdom needed to answer your questions.

“Do not open your heart to every man, but discuss your affairs with one who is wise and who fears God.” – Thomas a Kempis

God’s Word: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:1-2

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB †

“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” – Job 12:13

In his book “Life For Leaders”, Mark D. Roberts writes: “In the 1970s, the brokerage firm of E.F. Hutton ran an unforgettable series of TV commercials. The set up was always similar. Two people in a crowded public place are talking about financial matters. One shares the wisdom of some broker. The other person responds, “Well, my broker is E.F. Hutton, and E.F. Hutton says . . . .” At that moment, the surrounding crowd is immediately quiet. Everyone leans forward eagerly to hear what E. F. Hutton says. The voiceover explains, “When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen.” Even as a teenage boy with no interest in financial markets, I learned that E.F. Hutton had a voice worth hearing, a powerful voice, indeed.

According to Genesis, God’s voice is even more powerful than E.F. Hutton’s. By speaking, God actually creates. When God says, “Let there be light,” light comes into existence (1:3). When God says, “Let the earth put forth vegetation,” the earth is filled with plants and trees (1:11-12). The voiceover for Genesis 1 might say, “When God talks, creation happens.” God’s word is indeed more powerful than E.F. Hutton’s.

If this is true, then surely we ought to pay close attention to what God says. Like those eavesdroppers in the E.F. Hutton commercials, we should quiet down enough to pay attention to what God says.

We all have many voices speaking into our lives. Some may be wise and well worth heeding. Others may be trivial, distracting, or downright evil. But, in the midst of a cacophony of voices, may God give us grace to hear his voice. May we find the will and the way to quiet down enough to hear what God has to say. May it be true of us, that when God talks, we listen.”

In all that you say and do, seek God’s wisdom. Today in prayer, look to the Lord for His wisdom to respond in His way in every situation.

“He is truly wise who looks upon the earthly things as folly that he may gain Christ.” – Thomas `a Kempis

God’s Word: “For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?” – Job 11:7

In his book “I Believe”, Helmut Thielicke writes: “What happens here may be expressed by the quite simple and yet unfathomable word, ‘forgive.’ What occurs when I forgive another person? It does not mean . . . that I can ‘forget’ what he did to me. It just can’t do that. No, when I forgive another, I myself step into the breach and say to myself, ‘The same thing that made the other person mean, hateful, and guilty toward me is in my heart as well. Ultimately, we are two of a kind.’

If I tell my neighbor, ‘I forgive you,’ and I say it from the bottom of my heart, then, in a manner of speaking, I take over the burden of his guilt and place it on my own heart just as though it were mine. . . . I say, ‘Yes, what you did to me was very wrong; it was even shocking. But I know from looking at myself how fickle and wicked the human heart is. Therefore I could do exactly what you did. It’s coiled up in me too. So I’ll suffer through it with you. I’ll put myself in your place. I’ll share your burden.’ When I forgive another person, I share the burden of his guilt. I become his brother and his sister, a burden-bearer at his side.”

We cannot fathom the mysteries of this world, never mind the mysteries of God. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is Lord of all and He knows the answers to everything.

“For there is no other mystery of God, except Christ.” – Augustine

God’s Word: “Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries. He has shown King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in days to come. Your dream and the visions that passed through your mind as you lay on your bed are these: "As you were lying there, O king, your mind turned to things to come, and the revealer of mysteries showed you what is going to happen.” – Daniel 2:27-29

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit.” – Job 10:12

In his book “Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit”, Christopher H. J. Wright writes: “In the Old Testament, God is often praised for his kindness. There is a beautiful word in Hebrew—hesed—which is so rich in meaning that it gets translated in many ways. Very often it is translated as “love,” with an emphasis on the faithfulness that is an essential part of genuine love. 

So sometimes hesed is translated “faithful love.” Sometimes it can mean “loyalty,” when one person acts out of a strong sense of commitment to another person because of the relationship between them. 

When God acts with hesed it can mean that he exercises “mercy” toward people who are in a vulnerable or needy situation, so it is quite close to “compassion,” which is another word that occurs very often in the Old Testament. 

One of the older ways of translating hesed (e.g. in the KJV) is “loving-kindness”—a beautiful old English double word that I wish we still used. And often, hesed is simply translated as “kindness,” since it does have that active sense of doing something for another person, something that shows thoughtful love in action. 

When God acts in “kindness” (in hesed), it means God is being faithful to his covenant promises, paying careful attention to our needs, acting in generous and merciful love, generously providing everything for our blessing and benefit. Didn’t I say it is a beautiful word?”

The Lord deeply cares for us and watches over us. Today in prayer, praise the Lord that He is a loving Father.

“God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us to love.” - Augustine

God’s Word: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“My days are swifter than a runner; they fly away without a glimpse of joy.” – Job 9:25

Jesse Owens is one of the most special athletes in 1935-36. He had one of the greatest careers in history at Ohio State, winning a record four individual NCAA titles in 1935. Owens won the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash, 220-yard low hurdles and long jump titles.

He won four events, set five world records and tied another—all in less than an hour, at the 1935 Big Ten Championships in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a feat that has never been equaled and has been called “the greatest 45 minutes ever in sport”.

Owens was so nice he did it twice, again setting the individual title in 1936.

He made history at the 1936 Olympic Games by winning four gold medals, setting Olympic records in each event. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in track and field history.

It's been 80-plus years since Owens set that record. This might be the most unbreakable record in the sport.

The days of our life go so quickly. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for this day and live it fully for Him.

“Few, we are persuaded, even among professing Christians, so realize the swiftness of their days, as to live every day to God – to spend all their days in the service of Christ, and with a view to preparedness for eternity.” – Thomas Wallace

God’s Word: “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field” – Psalm 103:15

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” – Job 6:14

In his book “Enduring Friendship”, Bryan C. Loritts wrote: “We would do well to keep in mind that Solomon’s words on the necessity of friendship were written toward the end of his life, well after he scaled his own Mount Significance. His accomplishments were unprecedented. Solomon constructed one of the seven wonders of the ancient world and accrued unbelievable amounts of money and women.

He denied himself no pleasure. At the same time, he was deeply unfulfilled. A psychiatrist once quipped if she had to render a diagnosis on Solomon, she wouldn’t hesitate to pronounce his depression. I can’t help but wonder, Where are Solomon’s “I will. I dids”? At some point, achievement surpassed friendship for him.”

We all need life long, devoted friends who are there especially during our darkest days. Today in prayer, praise the Lord for your friends and let them know you appreciate their friendship.

“Here's another way to determine who your friends are. They will be standing by you when a hardship or crisis comes.” – Greg Laurie

God’s Word: “Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-- better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” – Proverbs 27:10

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB †

“Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” – Job 5:17

In the “The Power of Christian Contentment”, author Andrew M. Davis writes: “Many of us don’t like this word “discipline.” It makes us feel uncomfortable, even icky. It has negative connotations. We often associate it with punishment or retribution. To discipline is to punish, right? When a child does something wrong, we discipline him and send him to time-out. He sits in time-out as punishment for the wrong he committed. He has violated some rule in the house, and to make up for the “crime” we send him to time-out.

And sometimes we tell him that he won’t get a snack later. We are disciplining him; we are punishing him. To our contemporary mind, they are one and the same. But this confusion is unfortunate. Discipline and punishment are not the same thing. The root of the word “discipline” carries a much more favorable connotation than punishment.

“Discipline” means instruction. To discipline is to teach, and to be disciplined is to be instructed. In meaning and practice, it is worlds apart from punishment. Whereas punishment is about paying a penalty or compensating for a wrong committed, discipline is about making things right. It’s about getting back on track. It’s about settling the matter. It’s about resolving the issue. It’s about fixing the problem. It’s about healing a broken agreement or promise. It’s about reconciling so that we can keep going.”

Discipline is cannot be pleasant, but discipline from God always brings blessings. Today in prayer, thank the Lord for any correction He has brought into your life.

“God has no pleasure in afflicting us, but He will not keep back even the most painful chastisement if He can but thereby guide His beloved child to come home and abide in the beloved Son.” – Andrew Murray

God’s Word: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:11

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.’” – Job 1:21

In her book “Amazing Grace”, Kathleen Norris writes: “Many people these days feel an absence in their lives, expressed as an acute desire for “something more,” a spiritual home, a community of faith. But when they try to read the Bible they end up throwing it across the room. To me, this seems encouraging, a good place to start, a sign of real engagement with the God who is revealed in Scripture. 

Others find it easy to dismiss the Bible out of hand, as negative, vengeful, violent. I can only hope that they are rejecting the violence-as-entertainment of movies and television on the same grounds, and that they say a prayer every time they pick up a daily newspaper or turn on CNN. In the context of real life, the Bible seems refreshingly whole, an honest reflection on humanity in relation to the sacred and the profane. I can’t learn enough about it, but I also have to trust what little I know, and proceed, in faith, to seek God there.”

The Lord is the giver of all good things, and it is naturally difficult when someone or something is taken away from us. Today in prayer, if you are wrestling after a loss, praise the Lord that He is near to you during difficult times.

“In almost everything that touches our everyday life on earth, God is pleased when we're pleased. He wills that we be as free as birds to soar and sing our maker's praise without anxiety.” – A.W. Tozer

God’s Word: “always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:20

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †

“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” – Job 1:1

Consider Aesop’s fable, in which a mighty oak tree asked a reed, “Why do you not plant your feet deeply in the ground, and raise your head boldly in the air as I do?” The reed responded, “I am contented with my lot. I may not be so grand, but I think I am safer.” The tree scoffed and said, “Safe! Who shall pluck me up by the roots or bow my head to the ground?”

That same day, a hurricane swept through, tearing the mighty tree up by its roots and casting it uselessly to the ground, while the little reed, though bending to the force of the wind, never lost its footing. When the storm passed, the reed soon stood upright again, stretching tall.

Blameless and upright Christians seek the Lord first in all that they do. Today in prayer, ask Jesus to take all of your life for His glory.

“I fear God, yet I am not afraid of Him.” - Thomas Browne

God’s Word: “This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God.” – Genesis 6:9

By Peter Kennedy, Copyright 2026, Devotional E-Mail   

DEVOTIONS IN JOB. †