In the heart of Jerusalem, King David, now at peace from his adversaries, contemplated the contrast between his grand palace and the modest tent sheltering the Ark of God. Confiding in Nathan the prophet, David expressed his desire to build a temple for the Lord. That night, however, the Lord spoke to Nathan, delivering a message for David. Instead of granting David’s wish, the Lord reminded him of his humble beginnings as a shepherd and recounted His constant presence and support in David’s rise to power.

In the ancient kingdom of Judah, under a sky vast and endless, the LORD spoke to King Ahaz through the prophet Isaiah. The LORD, in His boundless mercy, offered Ahaz a sign—something profound and miraculous, as deep as the nether world or as high as the heavens. Yet Ahaz, cloaked in a false piety, refused, claiming he would not test the LORD. Isaiah, weary and exasperated, confronted Ahaz’s lack of faith.

In a time where voices echoed with ancient wisdom and hearts yearned for truth, a message of salvation resounded through the land. It spoke of a simple truth, that confessing with one’s mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in the heart that God raised Him from the dead brings salvation. This message, devoid of discrimination between Jew and Greek, richly blessed all who called upon the name of the Lord.

In the times of old, Abraham, the forefather of many nations, stood as a beacon of unwavering faith. Unlike many who would question the promises made by the Divine, Abraham’s heart was filled with complete trust. He believed, without a shadow of doubt, in the assurances given by God, and this profound faith was recognized as righteousness. But this recognition wasn’t just for Abraham. It was a timeless message for all, highlighting the virtue of believing in God’s plans, especially the resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of mankind.