Thank you for celebrating Faith Month with us this year! What a joyous time to be alive, and what a wonderful privilege to celebrate our faith in Jesus Christ together. Below are the devotionals for April 2026, prayerfully and thoughtfully written by Concerned Women for America staff members, Young Women for America leaders, and Women for America leaders. These devotionals will be updated daily, but you can always come back and read your favorite. We pray that these devotionals edify and strengthen your faith in Jesus. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 5:14-16:
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (ESV).
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April 26: Called Beyond Comfort (Ella Martin, YWA Ambassador)
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7
Comfort zones can feel like safe havens, but they can also become quiet barriers to the life into which God is calling us to step. When everything is familiar, it’s easy to settle, but growth rarely happens in places that require no faith.
In 2 Timothy 1:7, we’re reminded that timidity doesn’t come from God. He has already equipped us with the power to act boldly, compassion to care for others well, and self-discipline to stay grounded when things feel uncertain. That means when we feel the nudge to try something new—whether that’s to speak up, step out, or serve differently—we can trust that it’s not fear leading us, but an opportunity to rely on Him more deeply.
Stepping outside of comfort doesn’t always mean making huge, life-altering decisions. Sometimes it looks like saying yes when you’d rather say no, or showing up when you feel unqualified. Each small step of obedience stretches your faith and strengthens your trust in God’s plan.
If fear has been holding you back, remember that you are not lacking what you need. God has already placed His Spirit within you.
April 25: Praise That Stands Firm (Patty Erikson, CWA Arizona State Director)
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him …” Psalm 42:11
“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise …” Hebrews 13:15
In seasons of personal or public tension, opposition, or discouragement, it’s easy to feel weary. When the work is hard and the outcomes uncertain, despair can quietly settle into our heart. Yet God calls us to something more powerful in those very moments—a sacrifice of praise.
Praise is not ignoring reality. It is declaring that God is greater than it.
The psalmist acknowledged deep distress but chose to anchor his hope in God. Likewise, we are not called to retreat in discouragement, but to stand firm—with hearts anchored in truth and voices lifted in worship. Our praise becomes a quiet act of resistance against fear, confusion, and hopelessness.
As women engaged in the public square, our strength is not only in what we do, but in Who we trust. When we worship in difficult seasons, we remember that God is sovereign over every outcome, every leader, and every moment.
Let your praise be steady—even when results are slow, even when opposition is loud. God sees; God reigns, and God is worthy.
Prayer:
Lord, when I feel discouraged or overwhelmed, remind me to lift my eyes to You. Strengthen my heart to praise You in every season. Let my life reflect Your truth, courage, and hope. Amen.
April 24: Rejoice in the Lord (Haven Howard, CWA Missouri State Director)
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
One of my favorite Scriptures is Philippians 4:4-7. Life can become very overwhelming, especially as we look around and see the condition of our world and the breakdown of our families. So often we try to carry our burdens alone, but God never intended for us to do that. Throughout the Scriptures He encourages us to give our burdens to Him, share our burdens with each other, and to live with the confidence that He is in charge of our future.
I’m also reminded of the song, “Take Your Burden to The Lord and Leave It There.”
If the world from you withholds
of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in his Word,
how he feeds the little bird;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
Refrain:
Leave it there, leave it there.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt,
he will surely bring you out;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
I encourage you today to give those burdens to the Lord and trust Him with the outcome.
April 23: Built by Wisdom (Melissa Henson, Senior Policy Advisor for Media and Culture)
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” Proverbs 24:3-4
Scripture often uses the image of a house to describe a life shaped over time. This verse reminds us that such a life is built by wisdom, understanding, and knowledge, which come not from ourselves but from God through His Word. He is the Master Builder, working through obedience, prayer, study, community, and faithful perseverance.
As women who often feel responsible for nurturing lives and ministries, we are reminded that lasting fruit does not come from striving or perfection, but from dependence on the Lord. When our lives are grounded in His truth, He fills them with “precious and pleasant riches.”
April 22: Be Like Barnabas
“When [Barnabas] came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:23
Hellenists were Greek-speaking Jews often criticized by Jews in Jerusalem for adopting Greek culture and lifestyle while claiming Judaism. It would have been easy to question the validity of their salvation, and the church might have even sent Barnabas to confirm whether their salvation was real.
Yet Barnabas shows us what it means to rejoice with one another. The Word says that “he was glad, and he exhorted them to remain faithful.” We are shown this as an example of a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 12:15 tells us, “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” Instead of being critical or trying to find things to judge, Barnabas genuinely rejoiced with these new believers and encouraged them.
“He was glad.” Often we fall into the trap of envying or judging or criticizing. But how refreshing would it be to just be glad—to find joy in the Lord’s work in the lives of His children. May we seek to be like Barnabas—encouraging each other and rejoicing with one another in the Lord’s faithfulness.
April 21: Gotta Love Old Testament Faith! (Laura Huber, CWA Louisiana State Director)
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary, they will run and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:3
If only we could trust and relate to God the way the people did in the Old Testament!
A less formal doctrine, more trust, more obedience, and a covenant relationship with God.
That was a faith that meant they believed that God would do what He said – even when it seemed unlikely; a trust that was counted as righteousness.
Our faith needs to show up in our actions, not just belief. Genuine faith is demonstrated in our obedience. That obedience is the reflection of our covenant relationship with God through His promises, laws, and His expectations of our loyalty to Him. Even when we fail, faith in His forgiveness turns us back to His promises.
We may not see the full picture, and sometimes it’s better if we don’t. Rely on God, not the circumstance. God’s character never changes. He is merciful and just. Old Testament faith is part of the bigger and ongoing story. Continue to trust God personally, turn back after failure and live with purpose and meaning.
April 20: For Freedom You Have Been Set Free
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16
Peter writes to Christians who were persecuted, anxious, and in many cases enslaved under secular authorities. Yet even to them, he gives this command—to “live as people who are free.”
What does that look like in today’s modern America?
In many ways, we are deeply blessed. We live in a nation shaped by principles of liberty, and it can be easy to take that freedom for granted. However, the freedom Peter speaks of is not ultimately political or national but spiritual.
As Paul writes in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” From what are we freed? We are freed from slavery to sin, from the burden of a law we could never fully keep, and from the shackles of our own fleshly desires.This means that regardless of our status, position, or circumstances, we can truly live as free people—not merely because we live in a free country, but because we belong to a God who has given us eternal freedom through salvation.
And so, we live differently.
We do not use our freedom as a cover for sin, but as a calling to serve. This is why we fly the Christian flag. This is why we join together for the pledge to proclaim Christ’s name during Faith Month! We proclaim our newfound liberty out of gratitude to the One who freed us. Every part of our lives becomes a reflection of the freedom we have been given.
April 19: God Uses Ordinary People for Extraordinary Purposes (Sam Annetta, Digital Communications Coordinator)
“God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.” Exodus 1:20-21
There are two women in the Old Testament who are rarely, if ever, talked about. Shiphrah and Puah were Hebrew midwives, ordinary women that God used in an extraordinary way. In Exodus 1, Pharaoh commands the Hebrew midwives to kill all the Hebrew boys being born. But because these women feared God, they defied Pharaoh’s orders and let the boys live.
Typically, women in this time were midwives often because they were barren, but due to their radical obedience, Exodus 1:20-21 tells us that, “God was kind to the midwives and the people increased and became even more numerous. And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own.”
God uses the humble, lowly, ordinary people to carry out great purposes. When we fear Him and are obedient to His call, even when it may terrify us, He blesses us, and the people around us, abundantly. God can use anybody, but it is a joy to partner with Him in His great plans.
April 18: The Politician and the Prayer Warrior (Lavigne Kirkpatrick, CWA Tennessee State Director)
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23
Have you ever wondered what truly guides our leaders at every level of government? We and our leaders are called to work unto the Lord and not for men. As Philippians 2:3–5 reminds us: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves … Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus” (ESV).
Imagine what it would look like if leaders truly lived this out: “The Politician Promise.” However, this calling is not only for our leaders but also for us. As prayer warriors, we must examine our own hearts as we intercede for our nation and our leaders. Are we seeking the approval of man or of God? Galatians 1:10 challenges us, “For am I seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” (ESV).
So where do we and our leaders discern the direction (or vote) we should take? Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us the answer: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your path.”
Finally, as prayer warriors, we are to follow Colossians 3:23 in that whatever we do, we work heartily as for the Lord and not for men.
April 17: Man’s Foolishness Leads to Death
“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” Proverbs 14:12
There is a common phrase: “Follow your heart.” It shapes how we approach our careers, education, and relationships. We are told to trust ourselves more than anyone else. Yet this directly contradicts God’s Word.
In Proverbs, we are warned that a way may seem right to us, but its end is death. Jesus echoes this in Matthew 7:13, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.”
Our judgment is not as reliable as we think. Scripture instead instructs us to pursue wisdom: “In the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Proverbs 11:14). God, in His grace, has given us His Word and His people to guide us.
Rely, friend, on the wisdom and fear of God, and not on your own understanding. The path of wisdom is narrow but secure, and while the world laughs at its foolishness, it is better to be fools for the LORD than to be wise in our own eyes and walk into death. Let us turn away from the wisdom of the flesh and instead root ourselves in the wisdom and fear of God.
April 16: Holding Grief and Joy at the Same Time (Sam Annetta, Digital Communications Coordinator)
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.” John 16:33
It doesn’t make sense, but as followers of Jesus, we can hold both grief and joy at the same time. John 16:33 starts out by saying, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble.”
How is it that we are able to be kept in perfect peace while experiencing the troubles of this world? The latter part of that verse gives us the answer: “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Without Jesus, the pain and heartbreak attributed to living in a broken world would overcome us. But because Jesus took on the sin of the world, died for it on the cross, and rose again, He overcame the world for us. And because the veil was torn, and we were given full access to Jesus, we have the Prince of Peace living within us. Psalm 16:11 says, “You reveal the path of life to me; in your presence is abundant joy; at your right hand are eternal pleasures.”
When we accept Jesus into our lives, we’re given peace and joy for eternity, both now in the midst of hardship on earth and for all time.
April 15: The Vindicator and Vindication
“Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a Light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my cause and executes judgment for me.” Micah 7:6-7
What glorious comfort! If your name has been written in the Book of Life, and if your sins have been forgiven, you will rise! Though temptation attacks you and trials befall you, you will not be destroyed. We sit in the darkness, but our God is our light. In our sin, we will bear His indignation, but He pleads our cause. He vindicates us, because He is our Vindication. He pleads our cause, because He became the sacrifice. He executes judgment; He became judged for us.
Friend, when you sin against a Holy and Righteous God, bear His indignation with courage. Persevere in the darkness. God will not see you abandoned; the Devil will not have the final Word. We can sit, until He pleads our cause. Oh, let us fall at His feet in humble adoration! For the God Who judges is also the God Who intercedes. He will not let waste away in our sin but will vindicate us. He both intercedes and is the intercession. He will not let you go.
April 14: Walking By Faith, Not by Sight (Mary Meininger, CWA Nebraska State Director)
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
As we celebrate and “walk through” Faith Month, one of the most prominent verses found in Scripture about faith states, “For we walk by Faith, not by sight.”
You might say, “What does it mean to walk by faith?” Do we grab our tennis shoes and begin walking? Sort of … so, put on your tennis shoes because sometimes you need to keep moving forward, stay resilient, hold onto your beliefs, and face challenges with steadfast faith.
God tells us, “Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) and in Psalm 119:105 He states, “Thy Word is a lamp unto thy feet and a light unto my path.” Therefore, let us commit to hearing God’s word every day, focusing and meditating on it morning and evening. By reading, memorizing, and reflecting on Scripture, we walk by faith one step at a time. Simple daily actions—such as reading GOD’s word, prayer, reflection, and acts of kindness—draw us closer to God and help us experience His presence. As we pilgrimage toward Him, it’s important not to stop, not to quit, and not to give up in seeking Him. For example, there were days when I felt overwhelmed and unsure, but choosing to pray and read a verse—even when I didn’t feel like it—helped me persevere and reminded me of God’s faithfulness. Complete confidence in Him and His words sustains us as we walk by faith. Keep walking.
April 13: A Merciful God
“Come, let us return to the Lord; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down and he will bind us up. After two days he will revive us, on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.” Hosea 6:1-2
Throughout the Old Testament, we see Israel consistently rebel against God. Like the prodigal son, they constantly wander away from God and wallow in their sin. As a Holy Father, God continuously disciplines them and brings them back to repentance.
We see such an exchange in the book of Hosea. Yahweh punishes Israel and promises destruction before restoration. Yet, through discipline, the Lord shows unconditional mercy.
Hosea now calls Israel to a place of repentance and humility before the Lord, because He is “abounding in mercy” (Psalm 108:3). He continues in Hosea 6:3, “his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers.” 2 Timothy 2:3 carries this same truth: “When we are faithless, He is faithful.”
God is not a God with whom we can trifle. He is a God of justice, of wrath, of consuming fire. Yet He is also a God of mercy, and He bids us come today, as we are—with all our sin and brokenness. As an old hymn says, “If you tarry till you’re better, you will never come at all.”
April 12: What about you? (Jennifer Pendleton, Field Engagement Specialist)
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Matthew 16:15
Many had witnessed Jesus turn water into wine, give sight to the blind, deliver the Sermon on the Mount, walk on water, and cast out demons. Despite evidence and testimony, many believed Jesus was merely a prophet.
Don’t we find ourselves in the same predicament at times? Over and over, God proves Himself faithful, and we call it a coincidence or luck. We question whether Jesus really is who He claims to be: Healer, Miracle Worker, Savior, Lord, Emmanuel.
One day, Jesus asked Peter, ”But what about you? Who do you say I am?” –Matthew 16:15
One of my favorite hymns, “Come, Thou Fount,” starts out with confidence, fervor, and passion, and as the song progresses, I am moved from my feet to my knees in sober revelation. As I fix my eyes on Christ, my eyes are opened, and I can see the truth of who He is. My faith grows; my heart fills, and I know my hope is secured.
In this moment, I imagine a pause as Peter locks eyes with Christ.
Scripture tells us that Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” –Matthew 16:16
So, what about you?
Who do you say He is?
April 11: The Age-Old Lie
“You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
It is easy to read the Genesis story without thought. For those of us who have believed the Gospel for many years, we might easily skip over this verse. Yet we ought to solemnly remind ourselves of Satan’s lies, for he has not changed them, even through history.
Look at Genesis 3. Satan begins by questioning Eve and challenging her understanding and interpretation of God’s Word. After planting doubt, he outright denies God’s Word and supplements it with a lie: “You will not surely die.”
Many times the Devil and our Flesh use similar strategies today to supplant our trust in the Lord. Satan justifies sin and whispers, “That’s not what God really meant.” Thus, we must be always grounded in God’s Word. We must be rooted in prayer. As the Apostle Peter warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 ESV). Or as John Owen also famously admonished, “Be killing sin, or sin will be killing you.”
Prayer: Lord, help me to discern the lies of the Devil. Lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from the Evil One. Empower me to love You more than I love my sin. Let me cling to You above all else; help me to resist the devil, the world, and my flesh. Help me to live in Truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
April 10: Living By Faith (Deena Willcox, Strategic Operations and Engagement Associate)
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!” Galatians 2:20-21
Living by faith is how we are called to walk each day. Each day, we are awakened with the fresh gift of grace from the Lord! Each day and each moment, we are made new in Christ thanks to His sacrifice for us on the cross. Praise be to the Father that our old selves no longer live, and we get to live in faith through the Son of God Who loves us!
Today, you are a new creation beloved by the God of the universe! That is Who our Faith is in! Walk in His light today, knowing His grace is enough and that He alone is enough!
Prayer: Jesus, as I live through the day today, please let me live in you. Help me to crucify the works of the flesh. Help me to serve you fully. Let your grace drive me to live for You and not my own sinful motivations. Let me rest in Your Righteousness rather than rely on my own goodness. Amen.
April 9: Preparation (Cordelia Schaber, CWA Kentucky State Director)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
April is a month of preparation. We prepare for the Easter celebration of our Savior dying for our sins and rising again, we prepare our taxes, and we experience April showers as they prepare the soil for May flowers.
As we look over our life and where we are in it, we see that God has been preparing us. Everything we are doing and have done has been a preparation for how He wants to use us. The hard times, the easy times, the jobs we muddled through, the jobs at which we excelled, He has been and is using those to prepare us for the life He has for us. Are we ready and willing to walk in those good works? Have we given our will over to His Will for our life? As we head into a season of preparation, let us look forward to that which God has been preparing us and give Him praise for loving us enough to walk through them with us!
Let us pray:
Father God, may I always be prepared for the works You place in front of me and know You are there with me. Keep me in Your Word so that I know what Your Will is for my life. Guide me by giving me wisdom and discernment as I go about my life and help me always be prepared for the good works You have given me. In Jesus’s name, Amen
April 8: Fear of the Lord (Denise Cappuccio)
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10
The phrase “fear of the Lord” or “fear of God” appears about 300 times in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testaments. The “fear of the Lord” is not an antiquated, outdated principle, and it does not invalidate grace and mercy. Having a healthy fear of the Lord is foundational to our faith in Jesus Christ.
The fear of the Lord causes us to have respect for God’s mighty power, His greatness, and His holiness. Having a healthy fear of the Lord will keep us on the straight and narrow path in life, serving as a moral compass. It helps us avoid scandals and unnecessary heartbreak by prompting us to consider the consequences before engaging in sinful actions. The fear of the Lord will preserve a good name and a Godly reputation.
The fear of the Lord must be fully embraced to have God’s wisdom, discernment, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him!
April 7: Jesus Calms the Storm (Doreen Denny, Senior Advisor)
“On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:35-31)
A storm was taking over, the boat is nearly swamped, and Jesus is asleep??! For those of us who have been walking with the Lord for some time, the question Jesus asks the disciples in this scene is particularly poignant: “Do you still have no faith?”
As people of faith, we are still prone to wonder if Jesus is aware and whether He cares. We’ve seen Jesus move in our lives and in the lives of others. We’ve seen Him produce fruit that only He could have created. We’ve been encouraged by His Spirit and reassured of His presence. And yet, when the storm comes, we find ourselves again challenged by fear.
I imagine Jesus responding to the disciples’ fear in a gentle but forthright manner. Not with the same strong tone used to rebuke the wind. (He had their attention!) But with that gentleness comes a strength of conviction that He wants us to own. Knowing Him and what He has done, Do I still have no faith?
“Have Faith,” he intones. “I Am with you.”
It is a truth we choose to stand on – our faith. As we observe Faith Month, may this truth settle over you, calming the wind and waves of your life, and give you peace.
April 6: Saved for more (Jennifer Pendleton, Field Engagement Specialist)
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3-4
It is true that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) But our story doesn’t stop there.
In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul explains that, “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
We are not only saved from sin and death, but for something even greater. We are saved for more – to partner with Christ in His ministry of reconciliation. This can manifest in many ways: evangelism, service, acts of kindness, words of encouragement and hope, hospitality, friendship, or pastoral care. Each of us is uniquely designed to be part of this mission. Look around—how can you participate in the reconciliation process?
And when you find it, let us remain faithful until the day when all things are reconciled unto eternal life.
April 5: The Risen King Comforts
“Jesus said to her, ‘Woman why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means teacher)” John 20:15-16.
The pain of losing a friend, family member, or spouse, cuts deeply into our heart. Imagine, therefore, the pain of losing Yeshua, your Messiah! Oh, the hopelessness of witnessing Him suffer extreme humiliation, mockery, and scandal! Hopelessness that the One she loved was innocently executed by evil men, jealous over perceived popularity! Such was the pain of Mary Magdalene as she wept.
We notice that Mary failed to recognize Jesus’s voice when He first spoke. Whether out of grief or Jesus intentionally concealing His identity—Scripture does not make this entirely clear (a similar account appears in Luke 24:13-35). But then Jesus calls her name, “Mary.” The Voice that called her name when He cast out her demons. The Voice that brought peace to her troubled soul and body. That Voice now comforted her, “Mary.”
We can feel Mary’s thrill when she responds, “Rabboni!” He is risen, and Mary saw the God she worshipped! We can only imagine her complete joy, as Jesus tears her away from Himself, promising that He will see her again soon (John 20:17-18).
Such is the joy to know the risen King! Jesus says His sheep know His voice (John 10:27). He is not dead, dear Friend, but He is risen and glorified at the right hand of the Father (Acts 2:33). Hear Him call your name today—it is recorded in the Book of Life, if you have been redeemed by His blood. What joy to worship Yeshua! What peace to know He is Risen! Let us praise the Name above all names, for He is worthy to be praised!
April 4: He Made Him to Be Sin (Hannah Lape, CWA Legislative Strategist)
“It was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief” (Isaiah 53:10).
It wasn’t the wrath of the Pharisees that Jesus suffered on Good Friday. It wasn’t the wrath of the Romans, either—it was the wrath of God, a consuming fire. God the Father killed Jesus Christ.
It’s shocking. And it should be shocking, because it’s the punishment we deserve.
Abraham had raised his knife over his only son Isaac, tied to an altar for sacrifice; God stopped him. But God raised His knife—and sacrificed His Son so that we may live.
Like Isaac, Jesus was silent as a lamb before all but the Father before His crucifixion—He did not plead with the Pharisees for his punishment to pass; nor did he resist the Romans. He only asked the Father, “If it be possible, let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39).
And only with the Father did the Son contend on the cross: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Christ died forsaken by His own Father, the vengeance of the Lord poured out on Him. “How deep the pain of seaering loss!”
“He was delivered up according to the definite will and foreknowledge of the Father” (Acts 2:23). “He was made to be a curse” (Galatians 3:13), for “cursed is everyone who hangs upon a tree” (Deuteronomy 21:23).
With flesh torn from flogging, a face disfigured by a crown of thorns, his body broken by a heavy cross, his hands and feet pierced by nails, and by long and slow suffocation, my beloved Savior “was so marred beyond human semblance, and his form beyond the children of mankind.”
Why? So that we may be together with God in eternity, to walk in the cool of the day with Him. So that death would be defeated.
Thanks be to God for this repulsing, confusing, sickening, shocking sacrifice.
Even in His submission to his terrible suffering Jesus’ love remained: “out of the anguish of his soul” He was satisfied—satisfied to take the wrath we deserve (Isaiah 53: 11). Satisfied as He suffered. Satisfied.
Yesterday was Good Friday because the Father slayed his own Son for us. It is a Good Friday because a good man died willingly for us. A Good God died willingly for us. So today, on Silent Saturday, let us meditate on the goodness of our God and the price He paid to save us. By His wounds we are healed.
April 3: The Significance of the Christ Suffering Shame
“So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured” (Hebrews 13:12-13).
Crucifixion was the Romans’ method of executing criminals in the most humiliating way. They stripped a person naked, beat them, and hung them on wood as a public example.
It is fitting and proper for us to meditate on the shame Jesus suffered, because we deserved that shame. We earned the blood that poured out as He was beaten at least thirty-nine times with whips laced with stone and glass that tore across His back. The deep humiliation He endured as He hung completely naked on the cross, watching soldiers haggle over scraps of His clothing—we deserved that humiliation.
We desecrated God’s Name with our sin. We earned Hell. Jesus paid for that Hell for every person who repents and puts their faith in Him.
The world calls shame a social construct and falsely promises freedom. But shame is the proper response to our sin. For though Adam and Eve came into the world naked and unashamed, sin exposed their nakedness. Jesus stepped into the nakedness of our sin and suffered God’s wrath in our place.
We come to the Table for Communion in humble gratitude because the King of all Creation condescended to suffer pain in order to heal our pain. He took our nakedness to heal our nakedness. He wore our sin like a blood-stained garment so that He might clothe us in pure white robes. He bore our shame to heal our shame.
Today, as we meditate on the excruciating death of the Christ, let us go to Him, and “Let us bear the reproach he endured.” Let us rejoice in His dishonor because He bore our dishonor.
April 2: The God Who Knows
“God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.“ Habakkuk 3:19
I grew up with a wonderful little book called Hind’s Feet on High Places. In this allegory, the main character, Much-Afraid, comes from the Valley of Humiliation and longs to dance on the high places like the deer. After the Shepherd replaces her heart, He leads her on a journey filled with both hardship and beauty.
As Christians, our lives reflect this same pattern. We experience sorrow and joy, trials and celebration. We may begin in the Valley of Humiliation, but through each season, Christ sanctifies us. He uses trials to shape us, walking patiently beside us as He leads us upward.
We can be confident that even in the valleys, the Lord is our strength. He does not leave us. When we feel weak, He steadies our steps and makes our feet like the deer’s.
Take comfort, dear Christian. He knows your pain and walks with you always.
April 1: Faith That Moves (Nickie McCarty, CWA Field Engagement Specialist)
“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17
These words challenge us to examine not just what we believe, but how we live. As women of faith, we are called not only to believe God’s Truth but to live it out boldly in our homes, communities, and nation.
True faith is never passive. It stirs our hearts, shapes our choices, and calls us to action. When we trust God, that trust naturally overflows into love, service, and obedience. Whether it’s speaking truth with grace, helping someone in need, or standing firm in our convictions, our actions become the evidence of a living faith. God has uniquely placed each of us where we are for a purpose. Even the smallest act of obedience—making a call, offering encouragement, or praying faithfully—can make an eternal difference.
It’s easy to grow comfortable in belief alone, but God invites us into something deeper—faith that is active and visible. Even small acts of obedience can have an eternal impact.
Today, ask the Lord to show you one way to put your faith into action. A living faith is a powerful witness to the world around us.