26th May - 1st June 2025
At some point, we all feel lost—uncertain of our next step, disconnected from purpose, or caught in transition. It’s unsettling, like wandering through fog without clear direction. But feeling lost isn’t failure; it’s an invitation to pause, reflect and realign.
Sometimes, we’re not as lost as we think—we’re simply on the verge of discovery. By embracing stillness and shifting our perspective, we can find meaning in uncertainty and clarity in the waiting.
Written by Jody Garnham
MONDAY
Genesis 16:6-13
But Abram said to Sarai, “Behold, your servant is in your power; do to her as you please.” Then Sarai dealt harshly with her, and she fled from her. The angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, the spring on the way to Shur. And he said, “Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from and where are you going?” She said, “I am fleeing from my mistress Sarai.” The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress and submit to her.” The angel of the Lord also said to her, “I will surely multiply your offspring so that they cannot be numbered for multitude.”
And the angel of the Lord said to her, “Behold, you are pregnant and shall bear a son. You shall call his name Ishmael, because the Lord has listened to your affliction. He shall be a wild donkey of a man, his hand against everyone and everyone's hand against him, and he shall dwell over against all his kinsmen.”
So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.”
It is hard at times to see the purpose in our suffering or to understand what God has planned for us. Making decisions at these times can be challenging but we should see Hagar’s example of turning to God inspiring. He sees us, he knows us, he is in control and can be trusted.
Dear Heavenly Father, at times I don’t know which way to turn, what to do next or even understand your purposes. Teach me to trust in your ways and to know deep in my heart that you are in control and see me. May I lean on you to guide me through whatever today brings and remind me of these truths when I need it most. Amen.
TUESDAY
Genesis 21:14-21
So Abraham rose early in the morning and took bread and a skin of water and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, along with the child, and sent her away. And she departed and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. When the water in the skin was gone, she put the child under one of the bushes. Then she went and sat down opposite him a good way off, about the distance of a bowshot, for she said, “Let me not look on the death of the child.” And as she sat opposite him, she lifted up her voice and wept. And God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Fear not, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Up! Lift up the boy, and hold him fast with your hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. And she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. And God was with the boy, and he grew up. He lived in the wilderness and became an expert with the bow. He lived in the wilderness of Paran, and his mother took a wife for him from the land of Egypt.
Hagar and her son Ishmael were sent away by Abraham, as they wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba they came close to death. As she cried out to God for help, he provided an angel to guide her and give them water. Even when you feel cast out, lost, hopeless and beyond repair, God keeps his promises. He has divine provision just as he had promised Hagar that he would take care of them.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for so lovingly caring for me. In the midst of trials or uncertainty, may I be reminded of your goodness and provision. Hold me in times of trouble and comfort me with your presence and goodness. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Genesis 37:23-28
So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colours that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels[c] of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
Joseph’s brothers were so jealous of his position that they tried to kill him. Upon deciding to sell him into slavery instead, it could appear that he had no hope, no purpose and that God’s plans were wrong. God weaves a story of redemption and forgiveness through Joseph’s life, displaying how he is working everything for our good.
Dear Heavenly Father, at times we can feel so certain of your plan for our lives. Whenever there is doubt planted or obstacles in the way it can be very unsettling and confusing. Teach us to trust in your provision and plans and, by walking closely with you, we can’t be deterred by challenges along the way. Amen.
THURSDAY
Deuteronomy 8:1-10
“The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word[a] that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.”
The Israelites left Egypt and wandered in the desert for forty years due to their disobedience and lack of faith. This provided a time of testing and purification. God still provided for them and they reached the promised land, just not in the way they were expecting.
Dear Heavenly Father, teach me patience when I am lost and unsure. Help me to understand the lessons you are teaching me so that I can be all that I am to be for you. Break down the walls I have built up of myself and help me so that I can serve and honour you. Amen.
FRIDAY
1 Kings 19:4-8
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God.
Even after experiencing victory and the miraculous power of God, Elijah was still lost in fear and despair of losing his life. He sank into complete hopelessness, but God strengthened him both physically and spiritually, allowing him to renew his purposes and be secure in who God made him to be.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of Elijah, so I can understand that even the most faithful and strong of your servants can feel lost. I pray that you will also provide the strength and guidance I need to live each day, even in the most unexpected of ways. Amen.
SATURDAY
Luke 15:3-7
So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbours, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15 is filled with parables about things being lost. I think that helps to demonstrate how important it is that we understand that God will relentlessly pursue those who are spiritually lost. It demonstrates his love and care for us.
Dear Heavenly Father, at times I have felt like the lost sheep. I thank you that I have got to experience your relentless pursuit and love. When I lose sight of this, remind me of your love, goodness, kindness and mercy. When I don’t feel it, show me the glory of your presence. Amen.
SUNDAY
Acts 9:1-9
But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Saul had gone down a path of persecution, evil and hatred, he was completely spiritually lost. God intervened, providing a dramatic encounter which changed his life, but also led to great teaching, instruction and change for the world and future generations.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you provide the light, you bring those who are lost and allow them to be found in you. Whether you use dramatic conversions or quiet whispers, help to illuminate the blind spots in my life so that I can experience the fullness of life in you. I also pray for those who we love, who do not know you. May you open their eyes and allow them to see the light of your glory and accept your grace and mercy as their Saviour. Amen.