July 17th, 24: Discovering God's Love Through the Book of Isaiah and James

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today’s episode, host Hunter guides us through a thoughtful reading of Isaiah chapters 29 to 31 and James chapter 1. Together, we reflect on powerful themes of trust, humility, and transformation. Hunter invites us to consider what it means to truly accept the Word that God has planted in our hearts—a Word that points to Jesus Himself, the living Word with the power to save and transform lives. As we journey through these Scripture passages, we’re reminded of the importance of not just hearing God’s Word, but letting it shape our actions, attitudes, and relationships. Hunter wraps up with a time of heartfelt prayer, encouraging all of us to walk in God’s joy, strength, and love throughout the day ahead. So grab your Bible, settle in, and let’s discover together what God is saying to us today.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

What is the word that God has planted in your heart? That’s the important question James is asking, and one we must truly consider. The apostle James urges us to humbly accept the word that God has planted in our hearts because it has the power to save our souls. So, let’s be clear about what that word is. The word that saves and transforms is not our performance or even our own striving—it is the Living Word, our Lord Jesus. Jesus is the One with the power to save your soul, and – as Hunter so clearly reminds us – he’s already done it. That is the good news.

It’s not about what we do. It’s about Christ—his life, his saving power, his indwelling presence. This is the true Word with the power we need, both to save and to change us. James reminds us that humbly receiving this gift brings transformation, not only for eternity, but for the here and now. The gospel—the good news of Jesus—has that kind of power. We are invited to look deeply into the “perfect law that sets us free,” to gaze into that mirror and see the origin of our design, the very image of our Creator, and to recognize who we really are in Christ.

When we see ourselves through the gospel—when we remember who we are because of the One who lives in us—we find power to overcome, to live newly, to control our tongues as James instructs, and to love those in the world who are most vulnerable. What seemed impossible—self control, selflessness, deep compassion—is now possible, not because of our effort but because of Christ who lives in us and has made us new.

So what is the word God has planted in your heart? It is Jesus—and he makes all the difference. Let’s remember what we see when we look in that mirror: see him, see what he has done, and see what we have truly become. That’s the truth that empowers us to live out this day in his joy, in his power, and in his love.

That’s the prayer for my own soul. That’s the prayer I have for my family—my wife, my daughters, and my son. And that’s the prayer that I have for you. May it be so.