MonroeOHUMC

Friday, August 8 – The Lord Over Chaos Read Genesis 1:1–5. In the beginning, the earth was formless and empty, darkness covering the deep. But God’s Spirit hovered over the waters. Then He spoke: “Let there be light.” From chaos came order, from darkness came light. God has been calming storms since the dawn of time—not only in creation but in hearts. His Spirit still hovers over our chaos, ready to bring life and hope. Reflect: What in your life feels “formless and void” right now? How might God’s Spirit be waiting to bring renewal? Pray: Creator God, speak light into my darkness and bring order to my chaos. Amen. x

Thursday, August 7 – Anchored in Hope Read Hebrews 6:17–20. Hope is described as “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Anchors don’t calm storms, but they keep vessels from drifting or capsizing. Likewise, hope in Christ doesn’t make troubles disappear, but it steadies us in turbulent waters. This hope isn’t wishful thinking. It’s rooted in God’s faithfulness, proven again and again through history and most fully in Jesus. Because He is unchanging, our anchor holds. Reflect: What are you clinging to for stability right now? How might God be inviting you to rest your hope in Him? Pray:  God, anchor me in Your promises when the winds of life blow hard. Amen. 

Wednesday, August 6 – Be Still and Know Read Psalm 107:23–32 The psalmist recounts sailors caught in a fierce storm, tossed like drunken men. “Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” This isn’t just poetic—it’s deeply personal. We, too, are tossed by winds of worry, grief, and uncertainty. When we cry out, God hears. Sometimes He calms the external storm. Other times, He stills the storm inside us. Learning to “be still” isn’t easy in a restless world. But it’s in stillness we learn the depth of God’s power and presence. Reflect: What would it look like to pause today and let God steady your heart? Pray:  Lord, quiet my anxious thoughts and remind me of Your power to bring peace. Amen.

Tuesday, August 5 – Stepping into Stillness See Exodus 14:10–14. The Israelites, trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, cried out in terror. Moses’ reply is stunning: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” They wanted action—escape, a plan, anything—but God called them first to trust. Stillness doesn’t come naturally to us. We prefer to fix, plan, or flee. But sometimes God invites us to pause, to recognize we are not the savior of our story. God is. Stillness is not passivity but active trust in the God who delivers. When the Red Sea parted, it wasn’t because Israel strategized—it was because God made a way where none existed. God still does. Reflect: What battle are you fighting in your own strength? What would it look like to let God fight for you? Pray:  Lord, teach me to be still and trust Your power at work on my behalf. Amen.

Monday, August 4 – God Is Our Refuge Read Psalm 46:1–7. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” The psalmist paints a vivid picture: mountains falling, waters roaring, nations in uproar. Yet in this upheaval, he declares confidence in God. Refuge isn’t a place where storms don’t exist—it’s where we are sheltered as they rage. God doesn’t promise a life free from trouble, but He offers Himself as a fortress when everything else shakes. We often place our trust in fragile refuges—careers, relationships, even our health. But true security lies in God’s unchanging presence. He alone provides the strength that sustains when all else fails. Reflect: Where do you instinctively run when life feels unstable? How can you make God your first refuge? Pray:  God, be my shelter in every storm. Teach me to rest in Your unshakable strength. Amen.

Sunday, August 3 – Peace in the Storm Read Mark 4:35–41 here. The Sea of Galilee’s storms are legendary. Fishermen knew how quickly wind funneled down from the hills to whip the waters into chaos. As Jesus’ disciples strained at the oars, water filled the boat, fear rising with every wave. Yet in the stern, Jesus slept. “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” Their cry echoes our own in times of distress. When the storms of life surge—illness, loss, broken relationships—it can feel like God is silent or distant. But Jesus wakes, speaks three words— “Peace! Be still!” —and the sea falls quiet. This moment wasn’t just about calming water. It revealed Christ’s authority over creation and over our deepest fears. The disciples asked, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!” —a question that invites us to recognize Jesus as Lord in our own lives. Reflect: Where in your life do you feel overwhelmed? How might Jesus’ presence bring peace even if the storm continues? Pray: Lo...