5-Day Devotional: Safe in the Hands of Jesus

January 12th, 2026
by Drawn from a Sermon by Pastor John

5-Day Devotional: Safe in the Hands of Jesus

Day 1: The Shepherd's Voice

Reading: John 10:22-30
Devotional: Jesus declares, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me." What a beautiful promise! In a world filled with countless voices competing for our attention, the Shepherd's voice cuts through the noise. But hearing requires intimacy—time spent in His Word, moments of stillness in prayer, seasons of worship. The religious leaders surrounding Jesus demanded clarity, yet their hearts were already hardened. They asked questions they didn't truly want answered. Today, ask yourself: Am I genuinely listening for His voice, or merely looking for answers that fit my preferences? The more time we spend with Jesus, the more familiar His voice becomes. He knows you intimately—and He's speaking.

Day 2: Double Security
Reading: Psalm 139:1-18; Romans 8:31-39
Devotional: "Neither shall anyone snatch them out of my hand...no one is able to snatch them out of my Father's hand." This is double security! Your salvation doesn't depend on your grip on God, but on His grip on you. Like a child's hand wrapped in their father's strong grasp, you are held by divine power. Doubts may come—even John the Baptist questioned from prison—but doubts don't change reality. Your feelings fluctuate, but God's faithfulness remains constant. Nothing—not failure, not sin's sting, not life's tragedies—can separate you from His love. When doubts arise, remember: your security rests not in your strength, but in His unchanging character. He cannot deny Himself. You are forever His.

Day 3: Eternal Life as Gift
Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10; Titus 3:4-7
Devotional: "I give them eternal life"—not "they earn it" or "they maintain it," but "I give." Salvation is a gift, pure and simple. You cannot be good enough, serve enough, or sacrifice enough to earn what Jesus freely offers. If you could earn it, it wouldn't be grace. If you could lose it, it wouldn't be eternal. Many struggle under the burden of performance, trying to maintain what Christ already finished on the cross. "It is finished," Jesus declared—paid in full. Childlike faith simply receives what loving hands extend. Today, rest in this truth: forgiveness, heaven, and eternal life are gifts already purchased by His blood. Stop striving and start receiving. The work is done.

Day 4: Blind Eyes, Deaf Ears
Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-6; Acts 26:12-18
Devotional: Why don't more people see Jesus clearly? Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers. The religious leaders stood face-to-face with the Light of the World during the Feast of Dedication, yet chose darkness. This explains why your coworker doesn't understand, why your family member resists, why the gospel seems foolish to some. They're not stupid—they're spiritually blind. But remember: you were once blind too. It took God's Spirit to soften your heart and open your eyes. This should birth compassion, not condemnation. Keep praying, keep loving, keep sharing. The same Spirit who opened your eyes can open theirs. Don't grow weary. Many will believe—but only after persistent, patient witness.

Day 5: The Mission Continues

Reading: John 10:40-42; Matthew 28:16-20
Devotional: John's Gospel ends this section with hope: "And many believed in him there." Despite hostility, rejection, and attempts to stone Jesus, many still believed. This is our calling—to labor tirelessly in a hostile world, knowing that some will respond. The vast majority may reject Jesus, but we press on for the "many" who will believe. Your invitation matters. Your testimony counts. That coworker who's said "no" ten times may say "yes" the eleventh. The gospel is God's power unto salvation—not your eloquence, not your arguments, but the simple message: Jesus died, was buried, and rose again. Don't be discouraged by rejection. Keep inviting. Keep caring. Keep sharing. Many are waiting to hear.