“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

From a young age, God was preparing Joseph to be used to preserve his family. He even revealed part of His plan through Joseph’s dreams (Genesis 37:5–11).

But this was only the beginning of many trials Joseph would face before those dreams were fulfilled. He was sold by his brothers, falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, and spent years in prison. Yet through it all, Joseph trusted God, and God was with him every step of the way. God even gave Joseph the ability to interpret the dreams of others, which eventually led to his promotion to a position of great influence, where he could help preserve the nation of Israel.

Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words.” John 14:23–24 (CSB)

Obedience to God’s Word is the evidence of true love for Jesus. In many parts of the Western world, people call themselves Christians because of their upbringing, culture, or church attendance. My niece once told me, “I’m a Christian, Aunt Laura. We’re all Christians in the South.” But Jesus invites us to examine more deeply: What does it really mean to be His follower?

“To You I will cry, O LORD my Rock: Do not be silent to me, lest, if You are silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.”
Psalm 28:1 (NKJV)

David’s cry in Psalm 28 is raw and real. He pleads with God not to be silent not because he doubts God's existence, but because he knows that without hearing from God, his soul will sink into despair. I relate deeply to that. I’ve cried out like David, desperate to know that God hears me.

There is something powerful in knowing that we are heard. David calls the Lord his Rock his unshakable refuge in chaos. When everything else feels uncertain, the assurance that God is listening steadies the heart. Even as David asks for justice and pours out his pain, he does so with confidence that God cares and will answer.

Then comes a shift:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5–6

Would the course of our lives be different if we truly trusted God with every thought, every decision, every action, and every part of our lives?

Psalm 37:23 tells us, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.” What a beautiful promise, God cares about every detail. He desires for us to come to Him in prayer, to lean into His wisdom, and to let Him lead. He is faithful to guide us not just in the big, life-altering decisions, but in the small, ordinary ones too.

“And she conceived again and bore a son, and said, ‘Now I will praise the Lord.’ Therefore, she called his name Judah. Then she stopped bearing.” Genesis 29:35 (NKJV)

Leah’s story is marked by rejection and faith. Each name she gave her sons reflected her desire to be seen and loved. But by the time she bore Judah, her focus shifted: “Now I will praise the Lord.” In that moment, her worth was no longer tied to Jacob’s love but rooted in God’s.

When we think of God as our Defender, we often hope for immediate justice or public vindication. But God's defense doesn't always come the way we expect — it comes in His timing, according to His ways, and with His perspective.

We’re excited to begin a new devotional series called “God Is…” — a journey into the heart and character of God, as He has revealed Himself to us.

Every one of us carries a personal view of who God is. Some of that comes from Scripture, some from life experiences, and, if we’re honest, some from feelings and cultural influences. Over time, we piece together an understanding of God — but how closely does it align with who He actually is?