READ: ROMANS 2:11; 5:8; JAMES 3:13-18

At age eight, I collected bottle caps with no idea of what I’d do with them. I kept those colorful items in our backyard where my brother, who I’ll call “Randall,” and I played. After a while, I forgot about them. Then one day, I joined Randall and our mom in the kitchen and spotted something on the table. It was a small wooden board with lots of colorful bottle caps nailed onto it in a clever arrangement. “Randall made that for me,” Mama explained. I questioned Randall about the caps and realized he’d used the ones I’d saved. I indignantly announced that Randall had taken what was mine. I acted injured and innocent even after Randall apologized and promised he didn’t know I was holding onto them.

But the truth was, I wasn’t so disappointed that Randall had used the bottle caps. I was, however, so jealous of his interesting idea and the way he’d made a present for Mama. I didn’t want the bottle caps back—I wanted to be the kid who produced something that, to me, looked like artwork. Because of my jealousy, I didn’t want to accept Randall’s apology or play with him. I didn’t want to think of another present I could create for Mama. I just wanted to stay mad.

Jesus understands human emotions and temptations, including jealousy. While there is such a thing as godly jealousy (2 Corinthians 11:1-4), God’s Word cautions us about sinful jealousy, which steals our peace and brings disorder. It keeps us from experiencing God’s best—in our own hearts, in relationship with others, and in our fellowship with Him. My envy of Randall caused me to overlook the truth that Mama loved me just as much as my brother, even though I hadn’t presented her with a gift. It’s the same with God—He does not show favoritism, and He does not love us any more, or any less, based on what we do. Even when we fall into jealousy, He still loves us. And, once we’ve put our trust in Jesus for forgiveness and new life, He helps us turn away from jealousy and rest in His love. • Allison Wilson Lee

• What is an area of your life where you feel insecure? Do you find yourself getting jealous of people who seem to succeed in something you struggle with? Consider taking some time to be honest with God about your feelings. You can bring Him your hurts and fears, confess any sins that come to mind, and rest in His sure forgiveness and infinite love.

• If you want to dig deeper, read Exodus 34:14; Romans 13:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 12:12-27; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:19-26.

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)

READ: PSALMS 84:3; 139:1-18; MATTHEW 10:29-31; LUKE 12:6-7

I love bird watching. Birds are amazing creatures, and their design showcases God’s ingenuity and creative power. In my yard I see mostly sparrows, not the most exotic of the bird kind, yet as I watch them many truths reverberate in me.

The sparrow is a common bird, found on nearly every continent, yet it is mentioned in the Bible on more than one occasion.

In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, for example, we read that Jesus mentioned sparrows. They were a small, common, and cheap bird. One copper coin (which would be less than a dollar in today’s economy) could get you two, but Jesus said that, even though they seem to have little value in the world’s eyes, God the Father knows when each one falls, and He cares. Then Jesus said, the very hairs of our head are numbered by God, so we don’t need to fear, because we are “worth more than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31).

Our God knows when an everyday common bird falls to the ground, yet our hairs are numbered! To me, this is both humbling and encouraging. God, who created the entire universe, is intimately involved in all of His creation—from the littlest bird to His beloved image bearers (Genesis 1:26-27).

It’s easy to feel distracted, lost, and even worthless as we go through life in this broken world, but when we turn to Scripture, it reminds us that God deeply loves, cares for, and is involved in all of His wonderful creation.

Not only does our loving God remember each sparrow, He tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14; Luke 12:6). We are a part of God’s creation, and if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we are a part of His family, and that is a wonderful thing! • Stephanie Mathews

• Why do you think the world seems to value things that are rare and exotic more than things that are common and ordinary? Do you think that’s how God sees His creation?

• How could you take some time to be outside and behold God’s creation this week, whether through bird watching or some other way?

[Jesus said,] “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.” Luke 12:6 (NIV)

READ: 1 KINGS 19:1-18; MATTHEW 17:1-8; JOHN 10:27-28

Listen. It calls in the treetops. Be still. It roars on the waves. Shh. It croons in the meadow. Listen. It whispers in the wind.

For as long as Aylen could remember, she had heard it. The Voice. It was one of her earliest memories. The Voice crooning to her—just as the nursery rhyme said—as she lay in a meadow of flowers. Whenever she thought about that day, a confusion of emotions flooded her.

It should have been a day of sorrow and fear—the day she had lost her parents. Instead, all she could remember was being surrounded by The Voice. It sang to her until one of the village shepherds found her sitting on a blanket in the middle of the field. Alone.

She loved The Voice. It filled her with joy and peace, comforting her in the absence of her parents. But as she grew up, The Void seemed to grow stronger, and The Voice seemed harder to hear.

Now, Aylen watched from her vantage point on the valley’s tallest surrounding hill, as her village was swallowed by the sticky darkness of The Void.

Early on, Aylen had tried to reason with the villagers. “Listen. The Voice will rescue you. The Voice is stronger than The Void.”

Her friends had mocked her. “The Voice isn’t even real, Aylen. It’s just a story.”

“It can defeat The Void,” she insisted.

But no one wanted to hear it. And so, The Void crept steadily on. By the time the people were ready to listen, it was too late. Following The Voice’s instructions, Aylen had led the survivors to this hill.

Turning from the devastation, Aylen raised her hands to catch the others’ attention. “Listen.”

The people stilled. A powerful gust of wind blew in from the east, whipping at their clothes before settling into a gentle breeze. One by one the survivors fell to their knees, eyes wide with wonder.

Aylen smiled. The Voice, speaking words of hope to those who would hear.

And just like that, The Void was pushed back by a whisper in the wind. • Jessica McFarland

• Today’s allegorical story is inspired by many Old Testament prophets who listened to the voice of God. They spoke about God’s great power and love, and they urged the people to turn back to Him and follow His good ways. In particular, this story is based on 1 Kings 19:1-18, when the prophet Elijah heard the voice of God as “a gentle whisper” (verse 12). Elsewhere in the Bible, it says that God sings over us with joy and surrounds us with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32:7; Zephaniah 3:17). When you think of God’s voice, what do you think of?

• All the Old Testament prophets pointed ahead to the greatest prophet: Jesus Christ (Luke 13:33; John 6:14; Acts 3:22-23). He is fully human, yet He is also fully God. He came to save us from darkness—but the way He defeated sin, death, and the devil was unexpectedly peaceful. Jesus let people put Him to death on a cross, though He had done nothing wrong. They didn’t realize He was taking all our sin upon Himself, and they didn’t know He would rise from the grave three days later. But now, He invites all of us to put our trust in Him—to listen to His voice and follow (John 10:27-28). For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page.

• Sometimes the darkness of our broken world can be overwhelming, but God is infinitely more powerful than the darkness. As we look forward to the day Jesus will return and make all things new, we can rest in His joy and peace because He is with us. He offers us His comfort through His Holy Spirit (who lives inside Christians), His Word (the Bible), and His people (the church). Can you think of any ways God has given you comfort in hard times? Consider taking a...