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Quieting Your Heart – Week 4

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SEEKING PEACE IN THE QUIET OF HERETH

As we walk through this season of advent, the contrasts in our lives become all the more apparent—joy meets sorrow, gatherings underscore loneliness, and the pressure of holiday expectations often amplifies our personal trials. It’s in the midst of these contrasts that we find the enduring words of Scripture, providing not only a reflection of our human experience but also the unchanging comfort of God’s presence.

My heart and prayers are with each of you who are struggling to find peace this Christmas. The heartbreaking sorrow of loss, the struggle with illness, the tension in relationships, and the weight of financial worries are real and heavy burdens. Going through this study together won’t make these struggles disappear, but within the honest cries of people like David, we find a shared experience that connects us across the ages, offering solidarity in our suffering and companionship in our trials. 

On Day 23 this week, we talk about “The Forest of Hereth,” mentioned in 1 Samuel 22:5, a place of refuge for David and a setting of solitude where he poured out his fears, his hopes, and his trust in God. The Hebrew word ‘Hereth’ suggests being cut off, mirroring David’s experience of isolation. Yet, it is here that David finds strength and solace in God’s presence, as he expresses in Psalm 31, his unwavering trust in God as his refuge and fortress.

We, too, may find ourselves in our own Forest of Hereth moments, feeling cut off from the world, overwhelmed, or chased down by life’s challenges. These times, while difficult, are opportunities for growth and for deepening our trust in God. They prompt us to leave behind the strongholds that the enemy has built around us—the habits, fears, or anything else that holds us back—as we step into a space where faith and dependence on God are paramount.

Psalm 31 can provide us with language for our pain and a reminder that we’re not alone. It’s in turning to God, in laying our burdens before Him, that we find the peace that transcends understanding. This doesn’t erase our pain, but it offers us comfort and a steadfast hope that anchors the soul.

This journey is more than simply reading a chapter each day; it’s a transformative process that invites us into a deeper walk with God. For it’s in His unending presence, His wise guidance, and His steadfast love that we find strength that transforms us, courage that moves us, and peace that sustains us.

This Week’s Challenge

Take a moment each day to step into your own ‘Forest of Hereth.’ Find a quiet space to lay down your burdens and to listen for God’s whispers of comfort. Whether it’s through a prayer, meditation, or simply sitting in silence, allow yourself to be present with God.

This Week’s Bible Verse

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Week at a Glance

Note: Each day includes a short Bible reading assignment and brief chapter for reflection. If you would like to study any of the chapters deeper, take a look at the study sheet I have created for you. Feel free to answer any or all of the questions. Click here to view and print it.

TUESDAY – DAY 22:

• Light a candle today, and if you have a purple one—even better. The lighting of an Advent candle serves as a visual reminder of the light of Christ that we anticipate and celebrate during this season. (Find out more about the candles here).
• Watch this week’s video. Click here to go to Youtube or watch it at Time-Warp Wife.
• Visit Time-Warp Wife for this week’s opening thoughts on hope.
• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 22 in your study guide (Luke 2:8-20). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

WEDNESDAY – DAY 23:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 23 in your study guide (Psalm 31 & 63). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

THURSDAY – DAY 24:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 24 in your study guide (Mark 4:35-41). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

FRIDAY – DAY 25:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 25 in your study guide (Philippians 4). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Visit Time-Warp Wife to read Darlene’s thoughts for the week.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

SATURDAY – DAY 26:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 26 in your study guide (1 Kings 19:1-13). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

SUNDAY – DAY 27:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 27 in your study guide (2 Kings 4:8-37). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

MONDAY – DAY 28:

• Find today’s Bible reading assignment under day 28 in your study guide (Matthew 1:18-25 & Daniel 3). Read that portion of the Bible before reading the chapter in the guide.
• Check in on the community at: facebook.com/groups/biblestudies. Share your thoughts on today’s chapter.

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