Daily Bible Plan - Day 5

14 February 2025

This bible plan was created by Nicky and Pippa Gumbel.

Prayer of the day:

Lord, thank You for being the source of true joy and peace. Help me to trust in You rather than chasing things that won’t satisfy. Remind me that You are a good Father who loves to bless His children. Fill my heart with Your peace and lead me to rest in Your promises and fill me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding and with a joy that is independent of my circumstances. I place my worries, desires and fears in Your hands and ask You to guide me according to Your will. Thank You that You are a good Father and always want to give me good things. Amen

God Will Give You Good Things

Finding True Joy and Peace in God

We all seek happiness, love, and fulfillment, but we often look in the wrong places. True peace and joy can only come from God. As St. Augustine said, “You have made us for Yourself, O Lord and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Everything good comes from Him. God is a good father who surrounds us with His love and wants to give us the best. But often we doubt it or do not realise that what He gives us is exactly what we need. When we learn to trust Him and seek our joy in Him, we will learn that He truly satisfies our deepest desires.

Scriptural Foundations for Finding True Joy and Peace in God

1. The Source of True Joy and Peace

(Psalm 4:1–8)

• Key Message: The world offers temporary happiness, but God alone provides lasting joy and peace.

• Outcomes:

• David cries out for help but trusts that God listens to His prayers.

• True peace isn’t found in material things but in God’s presence.

• God’s joy surpasses any earthly success.

• Application: When you feel restless or unsatisfied, turn to God. Instead of chasing things that won’t last, seek Him, and He will fill your heart with real joy and peace.

2. God’s Desire to Give Good Gifts

(Matthew 7:7–11)

• Key Message: God is a loving Father who delights in giving good things to His children.

• Outcomes:

• Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock because God hears and answers.

• Earthly parents, though imperfect, give good gifts—how much more will God?

• He knows exactly what we need and provides according to His perfect will.

• Application: Pray with confidence, knowing that God desires to bless you. Trust that He will provide what is truly best for you, even when the answer isn’t immediate.

3. Finding Rest in God’s Promises

(Philippians 4:6–7)

• Key Message: Worry steals our peace, but God calls us to bring our concerns to Him in prayer.

• Outcomes:

• Instead of being anxious, we are invited to present our requests to God.

• God’s peace surpasses human understanding and guards our hearts and minds.

• His presence brings security, even in uncertain times.

• Application: When you feel overwhelmed, pray and give your burdens to God. His peace will replace your anxiety, and He will take care of what concerns you.

Overall Takeaway

God wants to give you good things—peace, joy, and provision—because He is a loving Father. True fulfillment isn’t found in material things or worldly success but in a relationship with Him. When you seek Him first, He will meet your needs in ways greater than you can imagine.

References

For a more detailed explanation and application of ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew 5–7) see Nicky Gumbel’s book [The Jesus Lifestyle](https://shop.alpha.org/departments/books/the-jesus-lifestyle). C. S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory (New York: HarperCollins, 2001; Originally published 1949), pp.181–183. St Augustine, Confessions: Book 1 (Penguin, 1961) p.21. The Bible with Nicky and Pippa Gumbel (commentary formerly known as Bible in One Year) ©Alpha International 2009. All Rights Reserved. Compilation of daily Bible readings © Hodder & Stoughton Limited 1988. Published by Hodder & Stoughton Limited as the Bible in One Year. Unless otherwise stated, Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version Anglicised, Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 Biblica, formerly International Bible Society. Used by permission of Hodder & Stoughton Publishers, an Hachette UK company. All rights reserved. ‘NIV’ is a registered trademark of Biblica. UK trademark number 1448790. Scripture quotations marked (AMP) taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org) Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.