When facing unimaginable trials, Jesus didn’t rely on the force of His will but instead prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Lk. 22:42). In our own challenges, may we find strength in following His example of surrender.

In moments of immense loss and despair, both Job and David offer remarkable declarations of trust and praise to God. Despite having every reason to cry out for deliverance, their faith was rooted not in what God had given or taken away, but in who He is. Even when everything seems lost, we are reminded that the greatness of God far exceeds the circumstances of this world—His goodness remains, and we can still declare, "The name of the Lord be praised."

In this edition of The Equipped, we reflect on the most agonizing moment of Jesus' crucifixion—when He cried out in despair, feeling abandoned by His Father. Though the physical suffering was immense, it was the turning away of God the Father that caused Jesus the deepest pain. Yet, this unimaginable moment of abandonment was motivated by an even greater love: God's love for you. As John 3:16 reminds us, the Father turned His gaze from His beloved Son so He could turn it toward us, offering us eternal life and adoption into His family.

In a world filled with distractions and competing demands for our attention, the message remains clear: there is only one God, and He is jealous for our worship. Despite the many altars we may face—whether in business, relationships, or politics—He alone calls us to devote our lives fully to Him.

In 1 Corinthians 13, even worthy actions like eloquent speech, vast knowledge, and fervent faith are meaningless without love. While it's important to pursue these qualities, the Bible reminds us that love must fuel them to give them true value. This week, focus on ensuring that your actions—whether in speech, faith, or generosity—are motivated by genuine love, as love is the greatest gift of all (1 Cor. 13:13). Without it, our best efforts gain nothing and fall short of their potential.