3 Things Jesus Said About Tithing – That Churches Hide From You - Billy Graham

There are some truths, my friends, that shake the very foundation of what we've been taught. And I believe with all my heart that one of the most misused and misunderstood truths in the church today is the truth about tithing. For too long, the body of Christ has been spoonfed a version of giving that sounds biblical but is hollow at the core. Jesus spoke about tithing. Yes, he did. But not in the way many pulpits would have you believe. And when the Son of God speaks, we must listen, not to tradition, not to popular doctrine, but to Christ himself.

What if I told you that behind those red letter words are three warnings, three revelations that expose the hidden motives of religious systems. And what if I told you that some churches are afraid to preach them because it might shake their grip on the offering plate. We are not here to tickle ears. We are here to open eyes. This is not a message about withholding from God. It's about returning to God what he really asked for. You know what Jesus said about tithing will not only challenge your wallet, it will confront your heart. Are you ready to hear what's been hidden?

The Bible tells us in Luke 12:34, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Tithing, my dear friends, has never been merely about money. It is not a heavenly tax or a divine fundraising campaign. Tithing is a heart issue. It is a spiritual mirror reflecting where your allegiance truly lies. Jesus was not after 10% of your income. He was after 100% of your heart. And yet in your generation, we've watched as the church has reduced something sacred into something systematic. Offerings have become a routine, a ritual, even a religious obligation. Pastors plead from pulpits about giving, but they rarely preach what Jesus himself said about it. Why? Because the words of Jesus concerning tithing cut deeper than the surface. They do not just affirm giving. They test motives. They expose hypocrisy. They unveil the deeper righteousness that God requires. Jesus wasn't silent on tithing. He was surgical. He laid bare the pride behind some who give, the self-righteousness of those who tithe, yet neglect mercy and justice, and the hidden danger of elevating tradition over truth. These are not comfortable teachings. They're not easy to package into a church bulletin or a donation appeal. But they are real and they are relevant. So today, we're going back not to what man says, but to what the master says. We're going to open the red letter words of the Savior and uncover three things Jesus said about tithing that many churches are too afraid or too compromised to preach. And the first is this. Jesus warned that tithing without justice and love is worthless in the eyes of God.

In Matthew 23:23, Jesus looked straight into the eyes of the religious leaders of his day, men who prided themselves on their outward obedience, men who gave with precision, and he said, "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For ye pay tithe of mint, and annis, and coming, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone." All the word that is. He didn't say stop tithing. He didn't rebuke the act itself. But he exposed the hollowness of giving that is disconnected from the heart of God. Tithing, my friend, is not a substitute for compassion. It is not a shortcut around justice. It is not a spiritual trophy to wave before heaven. When Jesus spoke these words, he wasn't condemning the tithe. He was calling it back to its rightful place. These Pharisees were meticulous. They tithed down to the smallest herb in the garden, mint, anis, and cumin. They weighed their spice racks more carefully than they weighed their own hearts. They counted their coins, but they neglected the cries of the poor. They measured their generosity by what left their hands, but Jesus measured it by what moved their hearts. He said, "You have left undone the weightier matters." My soul trembles at that thought. What if we are giving and yet missing the very things that matter most to God? We see it today. Churches tally tithes. Ministries raise funds. People bring offerings with envelopes and smiles, thinking they've checked the box. But Jesus is looking deeper. He is not impressed by the decimal point on your check. He is looking for justice in how you treat your neighbor. He is searching for mercy and how you forgive those who've wronged you. He is longing for faith not in your bank account but in your redeemer. These are the weightier matters. These are the true signs of spiritual life. And without them your tithe is just noise.

Let me tell you a story. Years ago, a man came to a revival meeting. He was a wealthy man, well known in his community, always sitting in the front row of church, always giving large donations. But his workers whispered about how he treated them: underpaying, overworking, and humiliating those beneath him. One night, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, that man stood up trembling. He said, "I've given thousands to the church, but I've robbed the poor. I've clothed the pulpit, but I've stripped the weak. Lord, have mercy on me." That night, he didn't just write a check. He wrote letters of apology. He raised wages. He paid back what he owed. He wept before the altar not because he had failed to give money but because he had failed to show mercy. That my friends is the kind of transformation Jesus was calling for. You see when Jesus preached he always pointed to the heart. And when he spoke of tithing he wasn't just interested in your giving. He was interested in your living. He wants your tithe to be soaked in justice. He wants your offering to be wrapped in compassion. He wants your faith to breathe through every dollar you release. Don't tithe and mistreat your spouse. Don't give and ignore the cry of the orphan. Don't serve on committees and step over the wounded. It's what Jesus was shouting to the Pharisees. You're doing the small things and ignoring the big things. And I believe he's still shouting that today. There's a danger in ritual without relationship. There's a danger in giving to be seen, giving to be safe, giving to silence conviction. But Jesus came to cut through the surface. He came to turn over the tables of empty religion. He came to say, "These you ought to have done and not leave the other undone." He didn't throw out the tithe. He sanctified it. He said, "It must be born out of a heart that is aligned with the kingdom of God." Yes. When you walk in justice, you will see the widow. When you walk in mercy, you will lift up the broken. When you walk in faith, you will trust God more than your paycheck. That's the tithe Jesus blesses. Don't be deceived, there friends. Tithing can be a holy act, but it can also be a hollow one. The question is not just what you're giving, but what's driving it. Is it duty or devotion? Is it pride or passion? Is it routine or righteousness? God doesn't need our money. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. But he wants our hearts. He wants every offering to be an echo of his justice. A melody of his mercy and a declaration of our faith in him alone.

And this brings us to the second truth that Jesus revealed. A truth that exposes the hidden motives of the heart and shows us why giving must never become a performance for men. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus looked straight into the eyes of the religious leaders of his day. Men who prided themselves on their outward obedience, men who gave with precision, and he said, "Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites. For ye pay tithe of mint and a niece and come and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith. These ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Oh, what a word that it is. He didn't say, "Stop tithing." He didn't rebuke the act itself, but he exposed the hollowness of giving that is disconnected from the heart of God. Tithing, my friends, is not a substitute for compassion. It is not a shortcut around justice. It is not a spiritual trophy to wave before heaven. When Jesus spoke these words, he wasn't condemning the tithe. He was calling it back to its rightful place. These Pharisees were meticulous. They tithed down to the smallest herb in the garden, mints. Anise and common. They weighed their spice racks more carefully than they weighed their own hearts. They counted their coins, but they neglected the cries of the poor. They measured their generosity by what left their hands, but Jesus measured it by what moved their hearts. He said, "You have left undone the weightier matter." My soul trembles at that thought. What if we are giving and yet missing the very things that matter most to God? We see it today. Churches tally tithes. Ministries raise funds. People bring offerings with envelopes and smiles thinking they've checked the box. But Jesus is looking deeper. He is not impressed by the decibel point on your check. He is looking for justice in how you treat your neighbor. He is searching for mercy and how you forgive those who've wronged you. He is longing for faith not in your bank account but in your redeemer.

So these are the weightier matters. These are the true signs of spiritual life. And without them your tithe is just noise. Let me tell you a story. Years ago, a man came to a revival meeting. He was a wealthy man, well known in his community, always sitting in the front row of church, always giving large donations. But his workers whispered about how he treated them, underpaying, overworking, and humiliating those beneath him. One night, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, that man stood up trembling. He said, "I've given thousands to the church, but I've robbed the poor. I've clothed the pulpit, but I've stripped the weak. Lord, have mercy on me." That night, he didn't just write a check. He wrote letters of apology. He raised wages. He paid back what he owed. He wept before the altar, not because he had failed to give money, but because he had failed to show mercy. That my friends is the kind of transformation Jesus was calling for. You see, when Jesus preached, he always pointed to the heart. And when he spoke of tithing, he wasn't just interested in your giving. He was interested in your living. He wants your tithe to be soaked in justice. He wants your offering to be wrapped in compassion. He wants your faith to breathe through every dollar you release. Don't tithe and mistreat your spouse. Don't give and ignore the cry of the orphan. Don't serve on committees and step over the wounded. That's what Jesus was shouting to the Pharisees. You're doing the small things and ignoring the big things. And I believe he's still shouting that today. There's a danger in ritual without relationship. There's a danger in giving to be seen, giving to be safe, giving to silence conviction. But Jesus came to cut through the surface. He came to turn over the tables of empty religion. He came to say, "These you ought to have done and not leave the other undone." He didn't throw out the tithes. He sanctified it. He said, "It must be born out of a heart that is aligned with the kingdom of God." Because when you walk in justice, you will see the widow. When you walk in mercy, you will lift up the broken. When you walk in faith, you will trust God more than your paycheck. That's the tithe Jesus blesses. Don't be deceived, dear friends. Tithing can be a holy act, but it can also be a hollow one. The question is not just what you're giving, but what's driving it. Is it duty or devotion? Is it pride or passion? Is it routine or righteousness? God doesn't need our money. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. But he wants our hearts. He wants every offering to be an echo of his justice, a melody of his mercy and a declaration of our faith in him alone.

And this brings us to the second truth that Jesus revealed. A truth that exposes the hidden motives of the heart and shows us why giving must never become a performance for men. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus declared with burning clarity, "No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Mammon, dear friends, is not just money. It is the spirit behind money. It is greed dressed up in gold. It is the subtle idol that hides in bank accounts and balances. And Jesus did not say it would be difficult to serve both God and mammon. He said it would be impossible. You see, this is where many in the church fall into a quiet trap. They tithe, they give, they support ministries, but in the secret places of the heart, they still bow to mammon. They live in fear of financial loss. They chase status. They trust in wealth more than in the word. They tithe on Sunday and worry about money all week long. My friend, that is not freedom. It is divided loyalty. And Jesus won't share the throne of your heart with anything or anyone, especially not with mammon. Jesus was not fooled by outward religion. He saw right through it. And he knew that it was possible to bring your tithe and still belong to another master. He knew that you could give to God and still be owned by greed. That's why he said in Luke 16:13 again repeating this truth. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. It was not just a teaching. It was a warning because wherever your treasure is, your heart will be also. The question is not just what you're giving, but what you're trusting. In today's church culture, we've made giving into a system. Give and be blessed. Sow and reap, prosper and succeed. But Jesus never once told us to give so we could get rich. He told us to give so we could be free. Free from the grip of greed. Free from the fear of not having enough. Free to love God with an undivided heart. When you tithe while clinging to mammon, your gift is tainted. It is not an offering. It is a transaction. And God will not be bought.

There was a rich young ruler who came to Jesus eager and respectful. He had kept the commandments. He had lived a clean life. But Jesus looked into his soul and said, "One thing thou lackest. Go and sell all that thou hast and give to the poor and come follow me." The Bible says the young man went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. He tithed perhaps. He obeyed surely, but he could not let go of mammon. His treasure held his heart and he walked away from eternal life. Church, we must wake up. God is not interested in money that's offered with clenched fists. He's not after gifts that come with strings attached. He wants surrender. He wants hearts that say, "Lord, all I have is yours." When Jesus said, "You cannot serve God and mammon." He was drawing a line in the sand, not to condemn us, but to call us to choose. Will we serve the God who gave everything? Or will we keep serving the God of gain?

And with this final truth, the full picture of Jesus message on tithing comes into view. A message not of compulsion but of consecration where giving flows from a life fully yielded to him. My dear friends, we have opened the word of God and heard the voice of Jesus himself. Not the voice of tradition, not the noise of man-made religion, but the piercing holy truth of the son of the living God. Jesus did not dismiss tithing, but he revealed its depth. He pulled back the curtain and showed us that tithing without justice, mercy, and faith is an empty shell. He sat near the treasury, not to applaud the wealthy, but to honor the widow whose two small coins held the weight of eternal worship. And he warned us. Oh, how he warned us that we cannot serve both God and mammon. We must choose our master. It is not enough to give and think that settles it. God is not looking for your tenth. He is searching for your heart. He is calling us away from double-minded giving, from self-serving sacrifice, from prideful generosity. He is calling us to repent, to lay down the idols we've polished, to release our grip on the things that do not save, to say, "Lord, not just my tithe, but my life is yours." So I ask you today, are you tithing from tradition or from truth? Is your giving driven by obligation or overflowing from love? Have you given much yet withheld your heart? Let Jesus search you. Let him sit beside the treasury of your soul and examine what lies beneath your offering. He does not want a gift that shines before men but rots with hidden motives. He wants purity. He wants surrender. He wants worship in spirit and in truth. The world says give to get. But Jesus says give and follow me. The world says store it up, but Jesus says lay up treasures in heaven. The world bows to mammon, but Jesus calls us to bow to the cross. So today, wherever you are, don't just give, yield. Don't just tithe, trust. Don't just offer what's in your hand. Offer your whole life. Come before him with clean hands and a pure heart and say, "Lord, all that I am and all that I have is yours." There's the time. There's the moment. Choose whom you will serve. Choose to give, not because you're forced to, but because you are free.

There's a curse that creeps through the walls of many homes today: a silent thief, a spiritual bondage, a force darker than mere financial struggle. I'm not talking about lack of money alone. I'm talking about the spirit of poverty, a spiritual stronghold that chains families in cycles of fear, defeat, and hopelessness. It tears at the dignity of the father, crushes the joy of the mother, and dims the dreams of the children. And many of you have been living under it, not knowing that it's not just a situation. It's a spiritual battle. You see, this poverty isn't always visible in the bank account. It's a dryness in the soul, a heaviness in the atmosphere, a constant sense of not enough. And the enemy is behind it working to convince you that God has forgotten you. But I want to tell you something tonight. There is a psalm straight from the word of God that carries the fire of heaven to break that curse. It is not just poetry. It is divine weaponry. When declared in faith, it destroys the works of darkness and opens the floodgates of provision, peace, and purpose. If you're tired of watching poverty devour your joy, your future, your home, then lean in because God is about to show you the power of his promise.

My dear friends, poverty is not just a condition of the wallet. It is often a condition of the soul. It can stretch across generations like a shadow, binding families in invisible chains. It wraps itself around homes with despair, fear, and confusion, making people believe that this is all they'll ever know. But the Bible says in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." This tells me something powerful. Poverty is not just an economic issue. It is a spiritual attack. And behind it is a spirit, a force of darkness that wants to keep you in bondage. Many of you have prayed, worked, struggled, and still you feel like something unseen is holding you back. You've watched your parents live under it. You see it trying to claim your children. It creates an atmosphere where fear rules instead of faith, where survival replaces vision, and where heaviness takes the place of joy. But I declare to you today that spirit is a liar and it must bow to the power of the living God. There is a psalm, yes, a divine declaration from the heart of God that doesn't just encourage the soul. It breaks spiritual chains. It doesn't just comfort the afflicted. It confronts the darkness. The word of God is not just ink on a page. It is alive. It is fire. It is a sword, and when it is spoken in faith, it strikes at the root of generational curses and drives out every demonic force that has set itself against your household. Psalm 112 isn't just a song of the righteous. It is a spiritual battering ram against the gates of poverty and lack. And when it gets in your spirit, something begins to shift. The atmosphere changes, the battle turns. Let us now open our hearts to this first divine truth from Psalm 112. And watch how God begins to tear down what the enemy has tried to build for generations.

Psalm 112 opens with a trumpet blast, a promise. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in his commandments. And then it declares this unshakable truth in verse six. Surely he shall not be moved forever. The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. My friends, this is not just poetic language. It is a divine guarantee. The righteous, those who stand in awe of God, who anchor their lives in his word, shall never be shaken. You hear that? Not shaken by famine, not shaken by inflation, not shaken by economic systems or family history or what this world says you lack. You see, the spirit of poverty doesn't begin in the bank. It begins in the heart. It whispers lies that tell you you're abandoned by God. That you're cursed to struggle forever. That your prayers are powerless. But Psalm 112 confronts that lie head on and declares that the righteous man is planted, established, immovable. Poverty tries to bring instability to your home. But the man who fears the Lord cannot be shaken. Why? Because his foundation is not in what the world gives. It is in who God is. And God does not change. His covenant does not break. His promises are not economic. They are eternal. The enemy trembles when a child of God begins to believe Psalm 112. Not just read it, but declare it. Live it. War with it. Because that's when faith begins to rise and poverty begins to fall. That's when spiritual ground is taken back. I remember a woman who came to one of our meetings trembling under years of financial bondage. She had grown up in a home where scarcity was normal, where bills piled higher than food and fear was their daily bread. But when she got hold of the word, when Psalm 112 ignited in her spirit, she began to pray differently, think differently, speak differently. She stopped agreeing with lack and started agreeing with heaven. And that's the turning point, dear friends, when a believer realizes that God's word is not just to comfort the poor, but to empower the righteous to rise up and overcome the spirit of poverty. God is calling you to become that unshakable one, not in your own strength, but through his promises. Poverty is unstable. It makes people react in fear, make desperate choices, chase survival instead of trusting the provider. But those who fear the Lord are rooted. And when the winds of adversity blow, they remain standing because the word of God is not moved, and neither is the man who clings to it. Psalm 112 is not a quiet song. It is a warrior's anthem. And it begins by establishing a truth the devil cannot erase. The righteous shall not be moved.

And now, as we continue deeper into this psalm, we find the next mighty promise that shakes the spirit of poverty at its core. Wealth and riches are in his house. When the word of God declares that the righteous shall not be moved, it doesn't stop there. Psalm 112 marches forward with a thunderous declaration in verse three. Wealth and riches shall be in his house and his righteousness endureth forever. Oh, what a mighty statement. And I want you to hear me now. This is not man's idea of prosperity. This is God's promise to the one who walks in reverent fear of the Lord. This is not greed. This is not the love of money. This is not about chasing riches. This is about receiving what heaven has already declared belongs to the obedient. Too many of God's people have been convinced that poverty somehow makes them holy. That struggle is their portion. That lack is their inheritance. But that's not what the Bible says. The Bible says wealth and riches are not just a possibility. They are in the house of the righteous. Not just in theory. Not just in someone else's testimony. In his house. That means God doesn't just want to bless your spirit. He wants to touch your home, your table, your children, your land. Why? Because when God blesses a man, it is not just for him. It's for generations. It's for testimony. It's for the glory of God to shine through that household as a beacon of what obedience produces. Let me be clear. This is not about name it and claim it religion. This is not about manipulating God to get stuff. This is about positioning your heart so fully under God's authority that heaven begins to move in your earthly life. And when your heart is aligned with his righteousness, he says, "I will supply all your need according to my riches in glory by Christ Jesus." And he is not limited by the economy. He is not restricted by your job title. He is not handcuffed by your past. The God who fed Elijah by ravens, the God who multiplied the widow's oil, the God who brought water from a rock, he has not changed. Brother once told me he couldn't believe this verse was meant for him. He had grown up in poverty so deep he didn't even dream anymore. But when he began to speak this word, when Psalm 112 became his daily bread, something began to shift. He stopped begging in prayer and started declaring in faith. He began to give out of what little he had. He began to walk through his home and speak life over every room. And before long, the spirit of poverty began to break. Not just financially but emotionally, mentally, spiritually. Joy returned, provision came and the presence of God filled his house. The wealth and riches mentioned here are not just gold and silver. They are peace, stability, wholeness, abundance in every part of life. It is the shalom of God, a completeness that no spirit of poverty can counterfeit.

And now from this foundation of blessing, Psalm 112 lifts our eyes even higher to the legacy that flows from the righteous man as it declares the next breakthrough truth. His seed shall be mighty upon the earth. When God declares that wealth and riches are in the house of the righteous, he does not stop with that man or that woman. He looks ahead. He sees the children, the grandchildren, the generations yet unborn. And that's why Psalm 112:2 says with unshakable authority, his seed shall be mighty upon the earth. The generation of the upright shall be blessed. Oh my friends, what a mighty truth. When the spirit of poverty tries to enter your home, it doesn't only come after your finances. It comes after your future. It seeks to rob not just your present, but your children's destiny. But God says that the blessing resting on the righteous man flows down the line like a river of fire, igniting every generation with power and purpose. The devil fears godly inheritance. He fears a praying father. He fears a mother who teaches her children the word of God. He fears a home where Psalm 112 is not just read but lived. Because when a family begins to walk in righteousness, poverty loses its grip and legacy takes its place. Do you hear me? This is about legacy. This is about tearing down spiritual strongholds that have wrapped themselves around families for decades and replacing them with generational blessing. You may say, "But brother Graham, I didn't come from a mighty seed. I came from brokenness, addiction, scarcity, and shame." But the glory of this promise is that your starting point does not determine your ending point. When you fear the Lord and walk in his ways, you become the righteous. And this verse becomes your inheritance. You may be the first in your family to break free from the spirit of poverty, but you will not be the last. Your seed, your children shall be mighty. That means they will walk in spiritual authority, mental clarity, financial freedom, and divine purpose. They will not carry the chains you carried. They will carry the anointing that you receive. I remember a young man who grew up in a home where poverty was the only language they knew. But one night, he heard this very psalm preached and it lit a fire in his soul. He said, "If God says, 'My seed shall be mighty,' then I refuse to pass down fear and lack to my children." He began to pray Psalm 112 over his home every night. He anointed the doorposts, declared blessings over his children's beds, and filled his house with worship. Today, his sons are walking in favor. His daughters are rising in faith. And that home once filled with despair now resounds with a sound of praise. You see, the spirit of poverty wants to make you think your children will repeat your pain. But God says otherwise. God says your seed shall rise.

And as that generational blessing takes root, the psalm reveals something even deeper. The righteous man doesn't hoard what he has. He gives. He releases. He breaks poverty in others by scattering and giving to the poor. When God declares that your seed shall be mighty upon the earth, he's not merely talking about success. He is talking about impact, about lives so rooted in righteousness that they begin to overflow, to give, to lift others from darkness into light. And so we come to this powerful declaration in Psalm 112:9. He hath dispersed. He hath given to the poor. His righteousness endureth forever. His horn shall be exalted with honor. This is not a man afraid of lack. This is not a man living under the shadow of poverty. This is a man who scatters, who gives boldly, freely, joyfully. Why? Because he knows the source. Because he lives under the river of God's provision. Because he understands that giving breaks the back of poverty every single time. You see, the spirit of poverty is not just about not having. It is about being afraid to let go. It tells you to hold tightly, to guard what little you have, to distrust the promises of God. But Psalm 112 paints a different picture. This man is not afraid to give. He doesn't scatter sparingly. He scatters. That's an aggressive word. That's a word of warfare. That's a man standing in defiance of fear and lack and saying, "I will not serve mammon. I will serve the Lord and I will give as he gave to me." This scattering isn't random. It's righteous. It's strategic. It's spirit-led. He gives to the poor, not just out of sympathy, but out of covenant. He knows that God watches the poor closely. He who gives to the poor lends to the Lord. Proverbs tells us, "And God is no man's debtor." When a righteous man gives, he opens a floodgate of heaven's attention. His righteousness does not fade with time. It endures forever. Why? Because it is rooted in the eternal nature of God who is a giver above all. I once met a couple who had very little. They lived modestly, but they gave more than some millionaires I've known. They gave because they trusted the Lord. Month after month, they sowed into missions, into single mothers, into struggling neighbors. And somehow the more they gave, the more they had. It was like oil that never ran dry. They lived Psalm 112:9. They scattered and poverty could not bind them because their trust wasn't in their bank account. It was in the unshakable hand of God.

Oh, dear friends, this kind of giving is warfare. This kind of generosity doesn't just feed a hungry stomach. It silences the voice of the devourer. When you give in obedience, when you scatter in faith, when you bless the poor from a place of righteousness, you declare with your life that you are not bound by the curse. You are walking in covenant. You are releasing heaven into earth. And it is no coincidence that right after this verse, the psalm turns once again to remind us of the reward, the provision, the spiritual light that surrounds the righteous. Because this psalm isn't about one blessing. It is about sustained breakthrough. And so now the word lifts us into one more mighty promise for the house that fears the Lord. Light arises in the darkness for the upright.

As we stand on the promises of Psalm 112, we have seen how the righteous are established, how wealth and riches are in their house, how their seed is mighty upon the earth, and how they scatter generously to those in need. And now the psalm takes us to one of the most beautiful, powerful truths of all. Light ariseth in the darkness for the upright. This is a promise of divine illumination. A promise that when darkness surrounds, the light of God will break through. Bright, undeniable, and unstoppable. Poverty, my friends, is a form of darkness. It seeks to obscure your vision, to cloud your understanding, and to hold you in a state of hopelessness. It whispers that you are lost, that your circumstances will never change, and that you are destined to live in shadows. But Psalm 112 makes it abundantly clear that for the righteous, light, the light of God's presence, provision, and power will rise when all seems dark. No matter how deep the pit of despair, no matter how overwhelming the financial struggle, when you walk uprightly before God, his light will shine brighter than any darkness. I think of the story of a man who had nothing but faith. He had been through the hardest trials of life, losing his job, facing foreclosure, battling illness, but he refused to be consumed by the darkness of fear and worry. Every day he declared Psalm 112 over his life. And as he did, something began to happen. It wasn't immediate, but slowly light began to emerge. Doors opened that had been closed. Opportunities that seemed impossible began to appear. He found favor in places he never expected. And the poverty that had once gripped his life began to break because light had arisen in the darkness. And he walked in it. This is the promise of Psalm 112 for you today. Light arises in the darkness. When the world says it's over, God says, "Watch me shine." When the enemy tells you that your family will always struggle, God says, "My light will break through the darkest moments and lead you into blessing." This light is not a flicker. It is the glory of God himself shining into your home, your finances, and your relationship. It is a light that scatters the darkness of poverty and fear. But notice this. This light is reserved for the upright. The upright are those who walk in integrity, who honor God with their lives, who live according to his word. And when you live in that place of uprightness, you position yourself to experience this divine breakthrough. It's not by your own might or power, but by the spirit of the living God that this light shines. I've seen families torn apart by the weight of financial strain, who in their darkest hour chose to stand firm in their faith. They kept declaring God's promises, kept walking in integrity, kept trusting that his word would never fail. And what happened? The light of his provision broke through. Jobs came. Debts were paid and their testimony became a beacon to others, showing that God is true to his word. For the righteous, there is no darkness that can overcome the light of God's truth. Poverty may have a season, but it cannot last forever. God's light will shine through, and when it does, it will transform every part of your life.

Now, standing on that light, the psalm leads us into the final breakthrough truth. He is gracious, full of compassion, and righteous. Now, my dear friends, we have heard the powerful promises of Psalm 112. And I believe God is speaking directly to your hearts. The spirit of poverty that has gripped so many lives, that has bound families, that has stolen joy and peace, is being exposed and defeated by the word of God. This is not a time to be passive. This is not a time to sit back and accept the enemy's lies. No, this is a time for bold action. The spirit of poverty must be crushed beneath the feet of the righteous. You must stand firm in your faith, declaring that God's word will never return void. His promises are true. His power is real. And he is moving in your life and in your home. The battle for your home is a spiritual one. And the stakes are high. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants to keep you in fear, in lack, and in darkness. But I tell you today with the authority of God's word that you do not have to be defeated. The spirit of poverty cannot survive in the presence of Almighty God. When you walk in righteousness, when you fear the Lord, when you scatter in faith, his light will arise and break the chains that have held you down. You see, this psalm is not just a collection of comforting words. This is a battle plan. This is a declaration of victory. When you fear the Lord and delight in his commands, when you trust him with your finances, with your family, with every part of your life, you are positioning yourself for divine breakthrough. The spirit of poverty has no authority in your home because God's word says, "Wealth and riches shall be in his house, and his seed shall be mighty upon the earth." And you are not cursed. You are blessed and your house will shine with the light of God's favor. But there is a battle to be fought. You must rise up. You must refuse to live under the shadow of lack. You must refuse to let the devil whisper lies of defeat. The word of God says that the righteous are bold as a lion. You must boldly declare over your life, "I will not live in poverty. I will not live in fear. I will walk in the promises of God and his light will arise in my darkness." You must make a decision today to obey God, to honor him with your life, and to trust him completely. And when you do, you will see breakthrough. You will see the chains of poverty fall and your children, your grandchildren, and the generations after you will walk in the blessing of the Lord. This is not just about money. This is about the blessing of God invading every area of your life. This is about the freedom to walk in the fullness of God's provision, to scatter generously, and to see his kingdom advance through your obedience. You have the authority to declare deliverance over your home. You have the power of God's word backing you up. So I call you today in the mighty name of Jesus to stand up and claim what belongs to you. Stand up and say, "The spirit of poverty is broken in my home, in my family, in my finances, in my future." The victory is already yours through Christ Jesus. And with that victory, I promise you this, there will be no poverty in your house, but the light of God's presence will shine forever.

There are moments in life when the darkness seems to close in. When the winds of sorrow howl at our door and the weight of the world bears down on our shoulders like a storm we cannot escape. Trouble doesn't knock politely. It breaks in uninvited. Maybe you felt it. Maybe you're feeling it right now. A phone call in the night. A pink slip at work. A betrayal you didn't see coming. And in that moment, the enemy whispers, "You're finished. God has forgotten." But I came to tell you today that it's a lie from the pit of hell. Because when the floods of trouble rise, the hand of God does not let go. When the world pushes your face into the dust, the Lord says, "Lift up your head, child. Your redemption draws near." This message is not for those who are sitting on the mountaintop. It's for the broken, the weary, the forgotten. It's for the one who says, "I can't take one more step." My friend, this is not the end. This is the very place where God begins.

My dear brothers and sisters, we are living in a time when the storms of life seem fiercer than ever before. All around us are trials that test our faith. Heartaches that pierce our souls and enemies, both seen and unseen, that rise up to shake the very ground beneath our feet. Some of you have walked into this message carrying burdens no one else can see. You smile on the outside, but inside you're weary. You're wondering how much longer you can hold on. You've prayed and the heavens seem silent. You've cried out and yet the trouble only deepened. But I want you to know you are not forgotten. You are not forsaken. There is a word from God for those who feel surrounded. In Psalm 3, David cried out, "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me? Many are they that rise up against me." He was not in a palace when he said that. He was fleeing from his own son, betrayed and hunted like a criminal. Trouble had risen against him in every direction. Yet he looked to heaven and declared, "But thou, oh Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head." David knew something we often forget in the middle of the fire. That when all else fails, when friends walk away, when even our own strength is gone, God is still there and he lifts our head. This is not a fairy tale. It's not a sermon meant to soothe the surface. This is the raw cry of a man who had nothing left but God and found that God was more than enough. In Psalm 4, David calls out in distress and says, "Hear me when I call, oh God of my righteousness." In Psalm 5, he pleads for direction, crying, "Lead me, oh Lord, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies." In Psalm 6, we hear the voice of a man who says, "I am weary with my groaning all the night. Make I my bed to swim." But in every single psalm, whether it begins in anguish or ends in sorrow, there is always a turning toward God, a lifting of the eyes, a stirring of hope, a declaration of faith. Psalm 7 says, "Oh Lord, my God, in thee do I put my trust." That's the cry of every believer who has ever walked through the valley and come out with their head lifted. Not by pride, not by self, not by success, but by the mighty hand of the Lord. So today, as we open our hearts to the word, I want us to walk with David, not through the palace, but through the valley. I want us to feel what he felt, to cry as he cried, and most of all to trust the way he trusted. Because when trouble rises, God doesn't leave you there. He lifts your head.

When David wrote Psalm 3, he was in the midst of one of the darkest hours of his life. His own son, Absalom, had risen against him. A man who once stood as the heir to the throne, was now plotting to take everything from his father. David, a king, found himself on the run, forced to flee for his life, surrounded by enemies who sought his destruction. There was no sanctuary, no place to hide, no ally to turn to. His enemies had surrounded him, and his own heart, once filled with courage, was now heavy with fear. But David, even in the midst of all this turmoil, declared with unwavering faith, "But thou, oh Lord, art a shield for me, my glory and the lifter up of mine head." In the face of opposition, when everything seemed lost, David found his peace, not in his circumstances, but in the protection and power of God. He knew that his strength did not lie in his army, his wisdom, or his royal position, but in the Lord, who was his shield. Think about that for a moment, my friend. When the storms of life rise up against us, when we are attacked on every side, when we face betrayals, accusations, or overwhelming trials, where do we turn? Do we run to our own strength, to our own plans, to the advice of others? Or do we like David find our refuge in the almighty God who is our shield? David did not look to his circumstances to determine his peace. He looked to God. And in that moment, he found the assurance that the Lord would protect him, deliver him, and restore him. Well, there are times in our own lives when the enemy seems to surround us. When the world seems to be against us, it may be a sudden financial crisis, a personal loss, or an attack on your character. It may be a spiritual battle that feels like it's tearing you apart. But hear the word of God today. Just as he was David's shield, he will be your shield, too. When the arrows of fear, doubt, and discouragement fly your way, you have a refuge. The God who protected David is the same God who will protect you. When you feel surrounded, you are not alone. God is your shield. He will fight for you. In real life, we all face battles. Some are seen. Some are hidden in the depths of our hearts. But in the midst of it all, God promises to be our shield, just as he was for David. I have seen this in the lives of many believers who have gone through unspeakable hardships.

And yet have emerged stronger in their faith. Not because of their own strength, but because they trusted in God's protection. They found peace in the knowledge that their lives were in his hands. And no enemy, no circumstance could touch them without his permission.

David continued, "I cried unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his holy hill." David understood that God was not distant, that he was not unaware of the battle. God heard his cry and he will hear yours, too. When you cry out in the storm, God answers. When you feel helpless and vulnerable, he is right there with you, standing as your shield.

As believers, we are not promised a life free from trouble. In fact, Jesus himself said, "In the world, ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." But even in our trials, we are never without hope. God is our shield in the storm, and he will carry us through.

Now, as we reflect on God's protection, we must also recognize that he is not only our shield, but he is also our source of victory. When we face opposition, we do not have to face it alone. God stands with us and with him we are more than conquerors. We must trust in his divine protection and walk forward in faith knowing that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

As we continue, we'll see how David not only trusted in God's protection, but also relied on his guidance and direction even in the midst of the fiercest storms. David in Psalm 4 cries out to the Lord with a deep personal plea. "Hear me when I call, oh God of my righteousness." It's not a distant God he's speaking to. It's the God he knows intimately. David had a relationship with God that went beyond the rituals and routines of religion. It was a relationship forged in the fires of personal struggle and triumph. When David called out, he wasn't speaking to some distant deity. He was speaking to his father, his refuge, his everpresent help in times of trouble.

The beauty of this psalm is found in the urgency and the intimacy with which David calls on the Lord. He's in distress, yet his cry isn't one of hopelessness. It's a cry of confidence that the God he serves is listening. In verse three, David reminds us, "But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. The Lord will hear when I call unto him." This is the foundation of David's trust. Not just that God exists, but that God cares, that he listens, and that he responds to the faithful in their time of need.

In the storms of life, we all face moments when we feel like our prayers are hitting the ceiling, when it seems like God is silent in the face of our pain. But David's life is a powerful reminder that God hears the cries of his people, especially those who walk in righteousness. It's not about being perfect. It's about seeking God with a heart that longs for his presence. It's about drawing near to him even when we're surrounded by chaos. And when we do, he listens. He answers.

David continues, "Stand in all and sin not. Commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still." This is where peace comes from. Not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God. Righteousness leads to peace. When we align our lives with God's will, there is a calm assurance that settles in our hearts. Even when the world around us is in turmoil, this peace isn't something the world can give. It's a peace that passes all understanding. A peace that comes from knowing God's voice, trusting in his will and having faith in his timing.

Think about that, my friend. When the world is crashing down around you, when the enemy whispers that you are alone, that no one cares, you can turn to God and know that he hears. He is not too busy, too distant, or too unconcerned to answer your call. Your prayer is not a wasted effort. It is an invitation for God to move in your life, to intervene, to deliver. He is the God who answers when you call in times of distress. The enemy would love for us to believe that our cries fall on deaf ears, but David's life speaks otherwise. He knew that when he called upon God, he would hear. And that truth still stands today. No matter how deep the valley or how dark the night, God hears you. When you cry out in faith, you are not speaking to a distant sky. You are speaking to a loving father who longs to deliver his children from their trouble.

But there's something even deeper here. God does not just answer us to give us comfort. He answers us to lead us to righteousness. David says in Psalm 4, "There be many that say, who will show us any good, Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us?" In other words, the world seeks answers. But only in the presence of God do we find true goodness, true peace, true hope. It is God's light that illuminates our path, that guides us through the darkest moment. When we trust in him, when we call on him, his light fills our hearts and we find rest in his righteousness.

David knew that peace doesn't come from external circumstances. It comes from God's presence. And when we call on him, he brings that peace into our lives. Even when the storm rages all around us. This peace is not of this world. It's a divine peace that only God can give. And it is that peace that sustains us, that keeps us steady, that reassures us when everything else is shaking.

Now, as we move forward, we must remember that this God who answers when we call, who brings peace in the midst of turmoil is also a God who works in ways that we may not always understand. His answers are often not immediate and his ways are higher than ours. But we must trust that in his timing, he will act. And as we trust him, he will lead us to a place where his will is clear and his peace is unwavering.

In Psalm 5, David begins his prayer with an urgent cry. "Give ear to my words, O Lord. Consider my meditation." There's an intensity in his voice, a sense of desperate pleading before the throne of God. David is surrounded by enemies, unjust people who rise up against him, who speak lies and deceit. His heart is heavy, his soul burdened, and yet he approaches the Almighty with the reverence of one who knows God is holy. "For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness, neither shall evil dwell with thee," David declares in verse four. David is not just seeking relief from his enemies. He is acknowledging the absolute holiness of God and the sharp contrast between God's righteousness and the wickedness of man.

The holiness of God is a truth we often overlook in our day-to-day lives. But it is at the very heart of David's cry. God is not like man. He is not indifferent to sin. He does not turn a blind eye to unrighteousness. He is a God of justice, a God of purity, and he cannot tolerate evil in his presence. And yet, David's prayer isn't simply one of judgment. He pleads for mercy. "But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy," David says in verse. We see a deep and beautiful truth. While God is just, he is also merciful. The same God who will not allow sin to go unpunished is the God who extends his grace and mercy to those who seek him with a humble heart. It's easy to think of God as a distant judge, someone far removed from our suffering. But David in his anguish approaches God not as an enemy but as a child of mercy. He knows that God's holiness does not mean he is out of reach. In fact, it is God's holiness that makes his mercy so amazing. God's judgment is a certainty. His holiness demands it. But the mercy he offers is not a contradiction of his righteousness. It is the fulfillment of his love for those who choose to walk in his ways.

David contrasts the righteous and the wicked throughout this psalm. He paints a clear picture of those who walk in unrighteousness, saying, "The foolish shall not stand in thy sight. Thou hatest all workers of iniquity." The wicked, those who reject God's ways and live for themselves, will face his judgment. There is no room for compromise when it comes to holiness.

But oh, how David rejoices in the mercy shown to the righteous. He says, "But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice. Let them ever shout for joy because thou defendest them." There is a stark difference between the wicked and the righteous, between those who choose their own path and those who seek God's will. The wicked will fall under God's judgment. But the righteous, those who put their trust in him, will find protection, provision, and mercy.

But let us not make the mistake of thinking that righteousness is something we can achieve on our own. David knew that the only way to stand before God was by his grace. The only way to be counted among the righteous is through faith in God's provision. Through the mercy that flows from his throne. It is not our own works that make us righteous but the mercy of God that cleans us from sin. The key to standing before God is not in our perfection, but in our willingness to humble ourselves and seek his forgiveness. To repent of our sins and receive his mercy.

Mercy in the midst of judgment. That is the incredible paradox of God's holiness. He is a God of justice who will judge sin. But he is also a God of mercy who provides a way of salvation for those who trust in him. As David pleads for mercy, he acknowledges God's holiness and his own need for forgiveness. And that's the truth for us today. None of us can stand before God on our own merit. But by his mercy, we can approach his throne of grace with boldness, knowing that he is faithful to forgive and restore.

God's mercy is not a license to sin, but a call to repentance and righteousness. We must choose to turn away from sin and follow his ways, trusting that his mercy will cover our shortcomings and his righteousness will empower us to live according to his will. As we continue, let us reflect on the incredible mercy of God who shows kindness to the humble and the repentant and whose judgment, though just, is always tempered with grace. This is a message we need to hear in our own time as we live in a world that seems so full of wickedness and confusion. But even in the midst of judgment, God offers mercy to all who will turn to him in faith.

David's cry in Psalm 6 is one that echoes in the hearts of many who have walked through the valleys of deep sorrow. He writes, "Oh Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak. Oh Lord, heal me, for my bones are vexed." These words reveal the depth of David's anguish, and they reflect the hearts of many who, like him, have reached the point of weariness from weeping. When life becomes too heavy to bear, when the burdens of sin, sorrow, and struggle seem to press down on us from every side, it is easy to feel as if we cannot go on.

David was weary. He had cried out before the Lord and had felt no relief. And now his heart was overwhelmed with despair. His bones were vexed. His soul was troubled and his tears had flooded his eyes. But in the midst of his sorrow, he knew where to turn. He didn't run from God. He ran to God. He didn't hide his pain. He brought it before the Lord, crying out for mercy and healing.

There are times in all of our lives when the weight of sorrow becomes too much to carry. We weep for our own failures, for the hurt we've caused others, for the pain we see in the world around us. We feel as if we are drowning in our own tears. The wounds of the heart seem to never heal. And the burden of sin and regret feels too heavy to bear. It is in those moments of deep sorrow that we need to hear David's voice calling out to us. "Lord, heal me," David cries. "For I am weak." His cry is not a demand, but a desperate plea for God's mercy. He knows that only God can heal the brokenness within him.

David's sorrow was not just physical. It was spiritual. He recognized his sin and the consequences of his choices. He understood that his suffering was not just a result of his enemy's attacks or the circumstances of life, but also the result of his own waywardness. Sin brings pain. It separates us from God and robs us of the peace we so desperately need. But even in the midst of his brokenness, David knew that God was still his hope. He knew that God in his mercy could restore him.

Many of us can relate to the feeling of being overwhelmed by the weight of our sin, the burden of guilt, and the sorrow of regret. But hear the words of David today. God is not a distant, uncaring judge who waits to condemn. He is a loving father who reaches out to heal the brokenhearted. "The Lord hath heard my supplication. The Lord will receive my prayer," David declares in verse 9. Even in his brokenness, David knew that God heard his cry. And God hears yours, too. When you're weary from weeping, when the sorrow is so deep, you cannot find the strength to go on. Know that God is near and he hears your prayers. There is comfort in knowing that the Lord is not indifferent to our pain. He is not blind to our tears. David knew this truth and so must we. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and he will bind up their wounds.

God's healing is not just physical. It is spiritual and emotional as well. His mercy flows to those who repent, who come before him in humility and seek his forgiveness. David's sorrow was a sorrow of repentance, a cry for God's healing touch upon his soul. And when we come to God in our brokenness, he will not turn us away. He will heal us, restore us, and give us peace.

David's words are not just a reflection of his own pain, but a reminder to us all that no matter how deep our sorrow or how heavy our hearts, God is the answer. When we are weary from weeping, we must turn to the one who is able to heal, to restore, and to bring us peace. Our tears may not immediately stop, but we can find comfort knowing that our father is with us, that he hears us, and that he will never leave us in our sorrow. His grace is sufficient for every pain, and his love is deeper than any sorrow we face. David's cry for mercy is a cry that God still hears today, and it is a cry that will bring comfort to the soul in need.

In Psalm 7, David stands before God, deeply aware of the injustice that surrounds him. His heart is torn and his soul is troubled. He has been wronged by his enemies, falsely accused and attacked. Yet in the midst of his distress, he looks to the only one who can provide true justice, God himself. "Oh Lord, my God, in thee do I put my trust. Save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me," David cries out in verse one. His words are filled with urgency, but they are also filled with a deep unshakable faith in God's righteous judgment.

David understands that while the world may be filled with injustice, there is a God who sees and who will make all things right. "The Lord shall judge the people. Judge me, oh Lord, according to my righteousness and according to mine integrity that is in me," David declares in verse 8. In the face of false accusations and wrongful suffering, David appeals to God as the righteous judge. His confidence is not in his own strength or ability to defend himself, but in God's perfect justice. David knows that God sees the heart, and he judges with perfect wisdom and righteousness.

It's a powerful reminder for all of us. We live in a world where injustice runs rampant, where the innocent are often oppressed and the wicked seem to prosper. We face the same struggles that David faced, the painful sting of betrayal, the anguish of being misunderstood, the weight of wrongful accusations. But we must remember, as David did, that God sees. He sees the righteous heart. He knows the truth even when it is hidden from the eyes of men. He is the one who judges with fairness and he will not let the righteous be forsaken.

But it's not like earthly judges who are swayed by popularity, influence or wealth. His judgment is not clouded by emotion or bias. His decisions are rooted in absolute righteousness and his justice is always perfect. When David calls on God to defend him, he is not calling on a man who may or may not understand the truth. He is calling on the one who sees everything, who knows the heart of every person, and who will bring justice in his perfect timing.

David's plea is not just for deliverance, but for vindication. He wants God to reveal the truth, to expose the lies of his enemies, and to demonstrate that he has not wronged anyone. In verse 9, David prays, "Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just, for the righteous God trith the hearts and reigns." David trusts that God will deal with the wicked, but he will establish the righteous. God sees what is hidden from the world. He knows the motives behind our actions, the desires of our hearts, and the truth of every situation. The hope we find in this psalm is that no matter how unjust the world may seem, we serve a God who will not leave the righteous without defense. He will protect us. He will deliver us. And he will judge the wicked. His justice is not delayed forever. As David declares in verse 11, "God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." The righteous may suffer for a time, but God will not allow the wicked to prosper forever. His justice will prevail, and his judgment will be fair.

Think about the countless times in scripture where God has stood as the righteous judge. He defended Abel when Cain's jealousy drove him to murder. He protected Daniel from the lion's den when those around him sought to destroy him. He defended Joseph when his brothers sold him into slavery and when Potiphar's wife falsely accused him. In each of these moments, God saw the righteous heart and in his perfect timing, he brought justice and deliverance. We too can take comfort in knowing that God sees the righteous heart. When we face opposition, when we are wronged, when we are falsely accused, we can trust that God knows the truth. He will defend his own. He will bring justice and he will vindicate the righteous.

As we look to God as our righteous judge, we can find peace in knowing that he will always do what is right. His justice is not like man's justice. It is pure. It is perfect. And it will never fail.

As we close this message today, let us remember the powerful truth we have seen in the Psalms. A truth that echoes through the ages and speaks to the heart of every believer. When trouble rises, when the weight of this world bears down upon us, when our hearts are broken, when enemies surround us, and when we are weary from the battle, God is there. He lifts our head. He is our shield, our refuge, our righteousness, and our strength.

In Psalm 3, David cried out in the midst of his enemies, and God answered, "But thou, oh Lord, art a shield for me," he declared. And so he is for you today. No matter how fierce the storm or how overwhelming the trial, God stands as our protector. When the world tells us to give up, when the enemy says we are defeated, God lifts our head. He calls us to rise up in his strength, to trust in his unfailing love, and to stand firm in the assurance that he will never leave us.

In Psalm 4, David found peace in God's presence, knowing that the God who hears his cry would answer. You too can find peace in him. Your prayer is never unheard. Your weeping is never in vain. When you call upon the Lord, he hears you and he will respond with mercy. He is near to the brokenhearted and he will lift you up when you are crushed in spirit.

In Psalm 5, David appeals to God's holiness and justice. We too can trust that God sees us. He knows our hearts. He knows our pain and he knows the truth that others may not see. He is the righteous judge and he will defend those who are his own. When the world is unjust and the wicked seem to prosper, remember that God's justice will prevail. He is not blind to our suffering and he will make all things right.

In Psalm 6, David's cry for healing was heard by the God who restores. When you're weary from weeping, when your heart is broken and your spirit crushed, know that God is the healer of the brokenhearted. There is no wound too deep for his touch. There is no pain too great for his mercy. Come to him in your sorrow and he will lift you up.

And in Psalm 7, David boldly declares that God sees the righteous heart. He is a God of justice, but he is also a God of mercy. No matter what you face today, no matter how great the trial or how fierce the opposition, God is on your side. He sees the truth and he will fight for you. He will defend you. His justice will not fail.

Though my dear friends, when trouble rises, when the storms of life seem too much to bear, look up. Lift your eyes to the one who lifts your head. When you are weary, when you are broken, when you are overwhelmed with grief, trust in the God who is always near. Weep if you must, but don't weep without hope. Pray for God hears the cries of his people and rise for God will give you the strength to stand again. He will lift you higher than your troubles, higher than your sorrow, higher than your enemies because he is faithful. Let us never forget when trouble rises, God lifts our head. Trust in him. Keep your eyes on him and know that in every moment he is with you. Always faithful, always true, always lifting your head to his glory.