Have you ever prayed and wondered if God was listening? Psalm 88 is one of the darkest chapters in the Bible. It doesn't end with the problem solved or the circumstances changed. In fact, its final words are, “Darkness is my closest friend.”

Yet the psalmist never stopped praying. He brought his pain, questions, loneliness, and disappointment directly to God. Even before describing his troubles, he called the Lord “the God of my salvation.”

There is an important lesson in that for us. Feeling abandoned does not mean you have been abandoned. God’s silence never equals God’s absence.

Jesus Himself entered the darkness. He went to the cross, bore our judgment, went to the grave—and rose again. Because Christ lives, darkness never gets to write the final line for those who belong to Him.

If you're walking through a difficult season, don't stop praying. Bring God your honest pain. Anchor yourself in what you know to be true, even when your feelings tell you otherwise.

God hears you—even in your lowest moment. Click on the link below to read today's devotion. #Psalm88 #ChristianEncouragement #Prayer #TrustGod #Faith #Devotions

https://www.ramckinley.com/god-hears-you/

Peace is easy when everything is going well. But what happens when the situation around you is anything but peaceful? Scripture promises something remarkable: Jesus can give us His peace at all times and in every situation.

That doesn’t mean ignoring our problems or pretending everything is fine. It means trusting God, fixing our thoughts on Him, and taking our worries to Him in prayer. Your circumstances may not change immediately, but God’s peace can guard your heart and mind while you walk through them.

Click on the link below to discover how to experience perfect peace—even in an imperfect situation. #ChristianLiving #Faith #Peace #TrustGod #Prayer #ChristianEncouragement #Devotion

https://www.ramckinley.com/receive-perfect-peace-in-an-imperfect-situation

Have you ever felt trapped by circumstances with no clear way forward?

David experienced one of the darkest seasons of his life. Hiding in a cave, surrounded by danger, he discovered that when no one else could help him, God remained his refuge.

If you are facing a difficult situation today, Psalm 142 reminds us that even in our darkest moments, we are never alone.

Read today's devotion to discover how God can become your refuge when life feels overwhelming. #BibleStudy #Hope #Devotions #Psalms #TrustGod #ChristianLiving

https://www.ramckinley.com/finding-refuge-in-god/

We often assume it's so our faith will grow. While that's certainly true, John 4 reveals another reason. Sometimes God moves us beyond what's familiar because someone else needs to experience His love through our obedience.

Read this devotion, and discover how God can use your willingness to step out in faith to impact another person's life. #BibleStudy #Comfort #Devotions #John #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/why-god-calls-us-out-of-our-comfort-zone/

The Bible warns us to beware of the devil's fiery darts. In Exodus 32, Aaron, Moses' brother and right-hand man, made an idol in the form of a golden calf, even after seeing all that God did to deliver the Israelites from bondage. Click on the link below to read about it. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Exodus #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/guard-your-heart-against-subtle-idolatry/

David's prayer in Psalm 86 captured both his desperation and the confidence he put in the Lord. Believers today must experience those same two qualities when seeking God. Click on the link below to read about what this Psalm teaches about David's devotion, confidence, and humility. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #TrustGod #worship

https://www.ramckinley.com/turn-to-the-lord/

Does your life often feel like a battlefield of words and intentions aimed right at you? When those times arise, trust in the justice of God rather than taking matters into your own hands. Click on the link below to read how Psalm 64 instructs us to rise above evil plots aimed at us. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #TrustGod #worship

https://www.ramckinley.com/trust-the-justice-of-god-3/

David said, "My heart has confidence in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises with all my heart!" Have you had days when you just didn't feel like singing praises to God? Do you know who loses out when you have those moments? Click on the link below to read how confidence and praising Him work together. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #TrustGod #worship

https://www.ramckinley.com/complete-confidence-in-god/

David in Psalm 13 experienced a state of depression. Four times he asked of God, "how long?"  He quickly turned things around by remembering times when the Lord had always taken him out of difficult situations and giving him victories. Whether you get depressed or not click on the link below to be encouraged for those times when God seems far away. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/when-you-are-depressed/

Have you ever had times when it seemed like your prayers just bounced off the ceiling? Psalm 77 talks about having similar experiences. The Psalmist progressed from God wasn't listening to him, to God wasn't there, to blaming God and then questioning Him. Click on the link below to read how things changed for him. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Psalms #worship #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/cry-out-to-god-in-times-of-trouble/

Because of the famine, Jacob's family ran out of food, again. I found it interesting that during this entire event, neither Jacob nor his sons called on God. It took an Egyptian unbeliever to give God some credit. Click on the link below to read about it. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Discipleship #Genesis #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/how-to-trust-god/

How much do you trust God? If a faith meter existed, how high on the scale would you rate? Do you rely on Him for only small things? Or can you put your trust in God for greater things? How about when you run into some of life's snags and challenges, can you still trust in the Lord? Click on the link below to read today's post, you'll be glad you did. #2Thessalonians #BibleStudy #Devotions #Discipleship #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/trust-god-in-all-your-circumstances/

Put your trust in the Lord

Happy New Year! Have you resolved to make some changes? What happens with those resolutions? Mary Poppins described commitments of that sort as pie crust promises. Easily made and easily broken. Click on the link below to read about starting your year by putting your trust in the Lord. #BibleStudy #Devotions #Genesis #TrustGod

https://www.ramckinley.com/put-your-trust-in-the-lord/