A Prayerful Reflection on America

A Prayerful Reflection on America 

 

Across the wide and wondrous landscapes of America—where sunrise warms the golden plains and sunset bathes the Pacific coast in quiet glory—stands a nation woven from dreams and determination. From the towering magnificence of the Grand Canyon to the vibrant pulse of New York City, from the peaks of the Rockies to the blue hills of "Almost Heaven" West Virginia, every corner of this land echoes with stories of grit, grace, and growth.

 

In the heartland, amber waves of grain whisper the legacy of hardworking hands and enduring hope. In the hollers and hilltops of Appalachia, hymns rise like morning mist, carrying generations of prayerful longing. The spirit of jazz floating through New Orleans, the resilience etched into Chicago’s skyline, and the timeless peace of the Shenandoah Valley—these are more than places. They are prayers in motion, asking for mercy, for unity, for renewal.

 

Today, I lift my voice not just to praise this great country, but to pray for it.

 

May we be a people who choose compassion over division. 

May our leaders seek wisdom that transcends politics and humbly serves the common good. 

May our classrooms teach truth, our pulpits preach courage, and our streets echo with the sound of reconciliation.

 

God, bless our veterans who stood firm in the storms of battle. 

Bless our families who strive and sacrifice. 

Bless our children, that they may grow with both faith and freedom beneath their feet.

 

Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream. 

Let love be our law and kindness our creed.

 

From sea to shining sea, America is more than a place—it is a promise. 

A promise kept through struggle. Strengthened in diversity. And sanctified in the prayers of its people.

 

So tonight, as stars scatter across the velvet sky and fireflies flicker in the fields of West Virginia, I pray not only for what this nation is—but for what it still can become. 

A land led by grace. 

Guarded by truth. 

Lifted by faith. 

United in hope.

 

Amen.

 

Susan Barker Nikitenko July 2, 2025©MpNMPMRMPBKBABRODANNABENFB$$#

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian-centered non-profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com." All my poems with stories are both real and fictional, designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You. Images are not all Christian, but they are included here to promote good works of faith, family, and country.

Profit of Dust: Exploitation Dramatic Reading

“Profit of Dust"

*A dramatic poem on power, exploitation, and divine justice*

**[Voice soft, bitter at first—then rising with gravity]**  

They were born—not held,  

Not sung to sleep by a mother’s breath,  

But summoned in silence,  

Arrayed under glass,  

Named not in love,  

But in ledger.

**[Voice sharper now, with mournful urgency]**  

Hands untouched by grace,  

Hearts unsheltered from purpose—  

Children molded for markets,  

Measured by worth,  

Not wonder.  

They are not mistakes.  

They are mirrors—  

Reflecting what we chose not to feel.

**[Pause. Breath. Lower tone.]**  

This is not medicine.  

This is not miracle.  

This is man’s ambition,  

Grinning behind a lab coat.

**[Building intensity]**  

What began in light now swells in shadow.  

What was called “creation”  

Has become collection—  

Of limbs, of labor,  

Of silence.

**[Powerful beat]**  

Like Nineveh,  

We stood tall on towers of trade  

And forgot that Heaven listens.  

We mocked the womb,  

Mocked mercy,  

Mocked the memory of motherhood—  

And called it progress.

**[Soft, almost broken:]**  

But the heavens do not forget.  

They have counted the jars.  

They have heard the breathless cries.  

They have not been silenced  

By silicon prayers  

Or profit margins.

**[Rising—urgent now]**  

The blood of the innocent  

Is not silent!  

It thunders from the soil  

Like Abel’s echo  

And fills the books of judgment  

With names no man remembers  

But God does.

**[Final lines—firm and slow]**  

There will come a fire  

That no science shall tame.  

There will come a reckoning  

Where the children will stand,  

Not as slaves,  

But as witnesses.

And the Lord shall ask:  

*"What did you make…  

when you called yourself creator?"*

Profit from Dust 

  A poem of hope and holy transformation

They said it was over—just ashes and stone, A field full of silence, a garden ungrown. But God knelt low in the shadowed crust, And whispered, “Watch… I profit from dust.”

Where others saw failure, He planted His seed, In dirt stained with sorrow, in moments of need. He shaped new life from broken ground, Where only dry bones once were found.

The world passed by with mocking frowns, But Heaven builds without their crowns. A breath, a spark, a Spirit thrust— Creation sings: He profits from dust.

Not gold, not fame, not flawless pride, But mercy poured from wounds once wide. So when you fall or feel unused, Remember: dust is what God will choose.

Susan Barker Nikitenko June 21, 2025©  MPMBCopNatMRochMPbKbAbBB hgf

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

They Didn't Want Peace

“They Didn’t Want Peace”

He came with calm and open hands,

To help, to heal, to understand.

He said, “Let’s build, not break apart,”

But they had war inside their heart.

He spoke of love and setting free,

Of kindness, hope, and unity.

But they just laughed and turned away—

They wanted war, not peace that day.

He didn’t shout, He didn’t fight,

He stood for truth, He stood for right.

But when they pushed and raised their voice,

He had to make a braver choice.

He stood up strong, though it hurt deep,

To guard the ones who longed for peace.

He fought not out of pride or hate,

But for the peace they tried to break.

So when the world turns mean or loud,

And storms of anger form a cloud,

Be strong and kind, like Christ would be—

A light when others just can’t see.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2025©

AnnaBenPatrKrystaNatMRicMPauMMbMPTr

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Joseph: A Journey of Virtue (Dramatic Reading Teens or Older)

Joseph: A Journey of Virtue

*A Dramatic Reading in Four Movements* 

 

**Movement I: The Dreamer** 

(Reader with soft conviction)

He was just a boy… 

A shepherd in a coat dipped in dreams, woven by love and colored with promise. 

He saw the stars bow low, 

The sheaves lean toward him— 

Visions too great for the valley he lived in.

 

But dreams, when spoken aloud, 

Can stir envy. 

And so, betrayed by blood… 

Stripped of color… 

Lowered into a pit— 

Not by enemies, 

But by brothers.

 

**Pause** 

(Reader lowers voice)

 

Sold. 

Gone. 

Forgotten…? 

No. 

Because the dreamer was never alone. 

 

**Movement II: The Tested** 

(Reader growing in intensity)

 

Into Egypt he came not as a prince— 

But a slave in chains. 

Yet there, Joseph wore integrity like a robe— 

Brighter than any his father gave. 

He fled from temptation’s claw 

With virtue burning brighter than desire. 

 

But even the innocent may fall into the prison of lies. 

And so… he waited. 

In darkness. 

Forgotten again. 

Yet in the silence… 

Faith did not wither. 

Character grew stronger. 

And the dream? 

It lived—hidden in the hands of God.

 

**Movement III: The Rise** 

(Reader with rising tempo and awe)

 

From prison to palace— 

From chains to robes once more. 

God did not forget the dream. 

He exalted the humble, 

And turned famine into favor. 

The boy despised became the man trusted. 

The slave became the savior of nations.

 

But the test was not power— 

The test… was forgiveness.

 

For before him stood the very brothers 

Who once tossed him into darkness. 

And Joseph—oh, Joseph!—chose mercy over revenge, 

Tears over bitterness, 

Grace over justice.

 

He wept. 

They wept. 

He said: 

“You meant it for evil… 

but God meant it for good.”

 

---

 

**Movement IV: The Glory** 

(Reader slows, solemn and reverent)

 

And so the dream was never really about grain or glory… 

It was about **God’s providence**, stitched through pain. 

About a boy who grew into a man of **steadfast virtue**, 

Whose every trial shaped him, 

Polished him, 

Positioned him.

 

Joseph did not rise because he dreamed, 

He rose because he was faithful in every season.

 

*Let all who hear remember:* 

Though pits are dark, prisons long, 

And betrayal bitter— 

*God never wastes a trial.* 

He is writing glory through grief, 

Redemption through suffering, 

And awe through every ending.

 

**And the dreamer’s God? 

He still reigns.**

 

Tis could be a group of teens with parts.

Or one solo reading – memorized is best with emotion.

But reading it solo or as a group with emotion will still be good.

print only coloring page or make visuals for the scenery 

Susan Y Nikitenko June 17^th 2025© - Dramatic Reading (with music is best)

 **Devotional: “Dreams from Heaven”**  

*Inspired by Genesis 37 and connected to Genesis 28*

**Story:**  

Joseph had dreams—big ones. They weren’t just nighttime images, they were glimpses of God’s purpose. Like his grandfather Jacob, who saw a stairway stretching into heaven, Joseph dreamed of rising sheaves and bowing stars. Those dreams weren’t easy to carry. His brothers didn’t understand. He was sold, enslaved, forgotten.

But the dream was never forgotten by God.

Even in the pit, even in prison, Joseph clung to the memory of those dreams. Like the ladder Jacob saw, Joseph’s dreams were a bridge between earth and heaven—a sign that God was near and working behind the scenes. What looked like the end was only the beginning of a bigger plan.

**Reflection:**  

God still speaks to His people—sometimes through dreams, sometimes through whispers in our hearts. When we listen and obey, He leads us, one step at a time, from where we are to where He’s calling us to be.

### **Invitation to the Class:**  

*Do you believe God has a plan for your life?*

Like Joseph, you may not know how everything fits together yet, but God sees the whole picture. He knows the dreams He’s placed in your heart, and He’s building a path—just like Jacob’s ladder—between your now and your one-day. god made a way to show us the way to heaven and that is only through Christ and his saving grace through what he did at calvary. He died for us, he concurred the curse of sin and now he calls you to salvation and a life built on faith. A journey of faith.

Would you like to say yes to that journey today?

**Prayer with the Class:**  

> *Dear God,*  

> Thank You that you remind us You are close.  Our hope is what your will is for us.

> Help us to listen when You speak, and to trust when things don’t go as planned.  

> Like Joseph, we want to walk faithfully, even when we don’t see the end of the story.  

> Like Jacob, we want to say: *“Surely the Lord is in this place.”*  

> Lead us step by step, from earth to heaven, from fear to faith.  

> In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Susan Barker Nikitenko June 16th, 2025© NMbMpBenAnna234KBPBRMNMPM

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Jealousy Newspaper Article

Here’s a newspaper-style article that blends biblical insight from the KJV 1611 Bible with real-life examples of crimes driven by jealousy:

Green-Eyed Crimes: When Jealousy Turns Deadly 

*By Faith & Justice Correspondent*

In a world where envy simmers beneath the surface, the ancient words of the King James Bible still ring true: *“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”* (Proverbs 27:4). From the pages of Scripture to the headlines of today, jealousy continues to ignite conflict, fracture families, and even fuel criminal acts.

**Biblical Echoes of Envy**  

The Bible offers sobering portraits of jealousy’s destructive power. Cain, consumed by envy when God accepted Abel’s offering and not his, committed the first recorded murder (Genesis 4:5–8). Joseph’s brothers, jealous of their father’s favor and Joseph’s dreams, sold him into slavery (Genesis 37). And King Saul, once a protector of David, turned predator when the people praised David’s victories more than his own (1 Samuel 18:7–9).

**Modern Crimes, Ancient Roots**  

In recent years, law enforcement has documented a rise in crimes of passion—many rooted in jealousy. In 2024, a Cleveland man was convicted of second-degree murder after fatally shooting a coworker he believed was having an affair with his partner. Investigators cited “obsessive jealousy” as the motive.

In another case, a woman in Georgia was arrested for arson after setting fire to her ex-boyfriend’s home. Her social media posts revealed a pattern of envy and resentment toward his new relationship. Authorities described the crime as “emotionally charged and premeditated.”

**A Call for Heart Renewal**  

The Apostle James warned, *“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”* (James 3:16). The KJV 1611 Bible doesn’t merely condemn jealousy—it calls for transformation. *“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another”* (Galatians 5:26).

As society grapples with the fallout of envy-fueled violence, the timeless wisdom of Scripture offers a path forward: repentance, contentment, and love that *“envieth not”* (1 Corinthians 13:4).

Scripture:

Josephs Brothers

Joseph’s brothers are a powerful example of how unchecked jealousy can spiral into betrayal—and eventually, redemption.

In Genesis 37, we learn that Jacob (also called Israel) loved Joseph more than his other sons and gave him a “coat of many colours” (Genesis 37:3, KJV 1611). This favoritism, combined with Joseph’s dreams of ruling over his family, stirred deep envy in his brothers. Verse 11 says plainly: “And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.”

Their jealousy led them to conspire against Joseph. At first, they plotted to kill him, but instead, they threw him into a pit and later sold him to Midianite traders. They then deceived their father by dipping Joseph’s coat in goat’s blood, leading Jacob to believe his beloved son had been devoured by a wild beast.

Yet, what began in envy was ultimately used by God for good. Years later, Joseph—now a powerful leader in Egypt—would forgive his brothers and save them from famine. As he told them in Genesis 50:20: “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…”

---------------------------------------------------

1. Social Media Envy Turns to Cyberbullying**  

A 15-year-old girl in California became the target of online harassment after posting about her academic achievements. A classmate, feeling overshadowed and jealous, created fake accounts to spread rumors and post cruel comments. The situation escalated until school officials and parents intervened. This case highlights how jealousy, amplified by social media, can lead to emotional harm and reputational damage.

**2. Jealousy in Friendships Leads to Assault**  

In Florida, a teen was arrested after physically attacking her best friend at a party. The motive? Jealousy over a mutual crush. Witnesses said the attacker had been stewing for weeks, feeling replaced and ignored. What began as silent resentment exploded into violence—showing how unspoken jealousy can fester dangerously.

**3. Academic Rivalry Sparks Sabotage**  

At a high school in New York, a student was caught tampering with a peer’s science project before a major competition. The jealous teen admitted feeling threatened by the other’s consistent success and feared losing a scholarship opportunity. This incident led to disciplinary action and counseling for both students.

**4. Sibling Jealousy and Theft**  

A 17-year-old in Texas was caught stealing money from his older brother’s college fund. When questioned, he confessed to feeling overlooked and jealous of the attention his brother received for being the “golden child.” The family sought therapy to address the deeper emotional wounds behind the act.

______________________________

Each of these stories could be paired with a biblical reflection—like Proverbs 14:30: *“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.____________________

Here are a few notable real-life incidents from 2015 where jealousy played a central role in tragic outcomes—each one a sobering reminder of how envy can spiral into violence:

**1. Germanwings Flight 9525 Crash**  

In March 2015, co-pilot Andreas Lubitz deliberately crashed a passenger plane into the French Alps, killing all 150 people on board. Investigators revealed that Lubitz had a history of mental health struggles and was reportedly jealous of colleagues who were advancing in their careers while he faced setbacks. His envy and despair turned catastrophic.

**2. Teen Love Triangle in Florida**  

A 16-year-old girl was fatally stabbed by a classmate in a Florida high school bathroom. The motive? Jealousy over a shared romantic interest. The attacker had reportedly been in a relationship with the same boy and felt betrayed. This heartbreaking case highlighted how teen jealousy, when left unchecked, can lead to irreversible consequences.

**3. Domestic Jealousy in Ohio**  

In Cleveland, a man was convicted of murdering his girlfriend’s ex-partner out of jealousy. The victim had come to drop off his child when the confrontation occurred. Prosecutors described the crime as “premeditated and fueled by obsessive jealousy.”

These incidents echo the biblical warning in Proverbs 6:34: *“For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.”*

__________________________

Susan Barker Nikitenko, Gathering of Real Happenings 2025

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Like The Fathers Before Him

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Love Covers All - A Father's Day Poem

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

The Last Days

In the final days, the earth will tremble under the weight of God's righteous judgment. The heavens shall darken, and nations will wail as calamities unfold—fire, hail, and great earthquakes will shake the foundations of the world (Revelation 8:7-13). The sea shall roar, and the stars shall fall as signs of the end approach (Matthew 24:29). Men’s hearts shall fail them for fear, for the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night, and none shall stand against His power (1 Thessalonians 5:2-3). The voices of kings and mighty men will falter, for no fortress can guard against the consuming wrath of the Almighty (Revelation 6:15-17). The earth will reel to and fro like a drunkard, and all the proud shall be laid low (Isaiah 24:20).

Yet, even as judgment falls, the voice of mercy calls. The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The blood of Christ still speaks, offering redemption to the broken and weary. Though sin has stained the world with corruption, the cross remains a beacon of hope—a place where the guilty are washed clean. The invitation is written in love: "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" (Isaiah 1:18). In the midst of chaos, those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The gates of heaven stand open to those who turn, forsaking their wicked ways and seeking the mercy of God.

Therefore, let no soul delay, for today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Though darkness may cover the earth and tribulation may arise, there is **refuge in Christ alone**. He stands at the door and knocks, offering peace that surpasses understanding and life eternal to those who believe (Revelation 3:20). Let the weary, the broken, and the lost come forth, for in His embrace, fear is cast away, and the soul finds rest. Judgment shall pass, but the kingdom of God shall stand forever. In Christ, there is hope—glorious, unshakable, and everlasting. Will you answer the call?

 scripture references that align with the poetic writing:  

1. **Judgment and tribulation**  

   - Revelation 8:7-13 – "The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood..."  

   - Matthew 24:29 – "Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened..."  

   - 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 – "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night..."  

   - Revelation 6:15-17 – "And the kings of the earth, and the great men...hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains..."  

   - Isaiah 24:20 – "The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard..."  

2. **God’s mercy and invitation to repentance**  

   - 2 Peter 3:9 – "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise... but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish..."  

   - Isaiah 1:18 – "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..."  

   - Romans 10:13 – "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."  

3. **Hope and salvation in Christ**  

   - 2 Corinthians 6:2 – "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."  

   - Revelation 3:20 – "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock..."  

   - Isaiah 26:3 – "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee..."  

These passages teach both the **coming judgments** and the **enduring hope in Christ**, inviting all to turn to Him before the final your final day

Susan Barker Nikitenko Jume 13th, 2025© MPMWKRYSTAANNA BENCOPPPRMNMP

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are real and fictional, designed to illustrate biblical truths. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You. Images are not all Christian, but are put here to do good works of faith, family, and country.

The Good Ole Days: An Memorial Day Tribute - Update 5 am

This is the song's melody, although I sang it with the first version of the lyrics.  

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

In This House Of Worship

In This House of Worship

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Gods Colors Grow

Dedicated to my family.

My Thoughts of You - Mother to Daughters

Dedicated to my two daughters and my grandchildren.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Guarding Our Hearts With Godly Boundaries

How God Thinks of Us and Cares for Our Sorrows

How God Thinks of Us and Cares for Our Sorrows

"I am wonderfully made and deeply loved, for it is written, 'I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.' (Psalm 139:14). I walk in faith and strength, trusting in God's plan for me, for His word says, 'For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.' (Jeremiah 29:11). 

A Devotional: There are several people we love and care about who are going through sickness, difficulties, loss, discouragement and recovery. We are praying for you, our thoughts are with you. May God comfort you and heal you in mind, and body. May he comfort your heart.

How God Thinks of Us and Cares for Our Sorrows

The heart of God toward His children is one of profound love, tender compassion, and unshakable faithfulness. In a world that often leaves us feeling unseen or burdened, the Bible is a constant reminder of how deeply God knows us, thinks of us, and cares for us.

In Psalm 139:17-18, it says, *"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand."* This verse reveals that God’s thoughts toward us are not fleeting or casual—they are vast, intentional, and filled with love. The Creator of the universe is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, and His thoughts toward us are precious. Can you imagine that? The One who formed the stars in the heavens thinks of you constantly. You are not a forgotten face in a crowd; you are cherished and valued beyond measure.

God not only thinks of us; He is also deeply aware of our sorrows. In Psalm 56:8, the psalmist declares, *"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"* This poetic imagery shows us how God values and acknowledges every tear we shed. He does not dismiss our pain or overlook our struggles. Instead, He tenderly collects our tears as if they were treasures, a testament to His compassion. He knows the depths of our heartaches, and He walks with us through every storm. What a comfort it is to know that no pain goes unnoticed by the One who loves us most.

God’s desire for us is beautifully summarized in Jeremiah 29:11, *"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."* His plans for us are filled with hope and purpose. Even when life feels chaotic or uncertain, we can trust that God’s intentions for us are always good. He desires for us to walk in His peace, to grow in His grace, and to experience the abundant life that comes from knowing Him.

As we meditate on these truths, let us remember that we are never alone. God’s thoughts toward us are countless, His care for our sorrows is tender, and His plans for our lives are filled with hope. Today, take a moment to rest in His presence, bring your cares before Him, and trust in His unfailing love. He sees you. He knows you. And He holds every tear, every joy, and every moment of your life in His hands.

*Prayer: Lord, thank You for thinking of me with love and for caring deeply about my joys and sorrows. Remind me that You see me, know me, and walk with me through every season. Help me to trust in Your plans and to find peace in Your presence.

In Jesus Name Amen.
Susan Barker Nikitenko©2025

CPMBAnnaBenBMRM