READ: PSALM 119:130; PROVERBS 2:1-5

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a deep sea diver? If you’ve been to the ocean, you know how beautiful it is to see waves crashing on the shore. And yet, when we begin to explore what’s beneath the surface, we see things that are even more beautiful. Deep sea divers find an amazing variety of marine life, from stunning sea creatures to colorful coral.

It’s the same way with the Bible. If you grew up in church, you’ve probably heard lots of Bible stories and learned many biblical principles. These are good and important—and beautiful. And yet, when we dive beneath the surface and explore deeper into the Bible, we keep discovering more and more wonderful truths about who God is.

It can be easy to think that reading the Bible isn’t very important, especially if we learn about what it says in church or at home. But learning about Jesus through His Word is a lifelong process. There’s always more He wants us to know, and He will continue to reveal treasures of knowledge, insight, and wisdom as we dive deeper into the Bible. He will help us grow in our faith, coming to grips with the power of God Himself, understanding His ways, and enjoying fellowship with His Spirit.

It’s so refreshing to be in God’s Word. No matter how long we’ve been a Christian, as we spend time reading and studying the Bible, He will keep teaching us new things. He’ll help us understand more about Himself and what He did to save us, and He’ll show us His promises and how He calls us to live life with Him. As we dive deep into His Word, we will see wonderful things. • A. W. Smith

• What parts of the Bible are you curious about? Consider spending some time reading them today, asking God to help you see what He wants to show you.

• When you have questions about the Bible, who are trusted Christians in your life who can help you find scholarly resources like study Bibles, commentaries, articles, or videos?

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18 (NIV)

READ: NUMBERS 23:19; PSALMS 100:5; 102:25-27; MALACHI 3:6

If you had asked me three years ago if I could ever see my life being what it is today, I would have given a definite “no.” At the time, my family—and world— were in a completely different place. The changes that I’ve gone through were unexpected and unrequested.

As you go through life, there are periods when big changes take place. Sometimes you’re expecting the changes, like when you start at a new school or when you graduate and it’s time to begin your adult life. And other times, changes seem to come out of nowhere. You might feel like your life is up in the air and you have no control over any of it.

As we face all kinds of changes, it’s important to remember that God doesn’t change. The One who made us and loves us—the One who wants so much for us to be with Him that He sent Jesus to die for us and rise from the dead—He remains the same through all the ups and downs. He has saved His people from sin and death, and He promises to return one day to make all things new and dwell with us forever. In the meantime, if we’ve put our trust in Jesus, we can know that He has given us His Holy Spirit to live in us, providing strength, comfort, and God’s own presence.

Through all of the changes in my life, I have been left a little more in awe of God than I was before. One, because He brings me through the changes and helps me as I adjust. And two, because I see how He is right there, the same as He has always been, being that constant in my life that keeps me steady. • Emily Acker

• Are you ever overwhelmed by the changes happening in your life? God sees you. He loves you, and He is carrying you through these changes. He will never abandon you. There is nothing in the world, or beyond, that can shake His everlasting love for you (Romans 8:35-39). Because Jesus went to the cross for us, we can always rest in His care for us and in His sure forgiveness. How could it be comforting and steadying to remember God’s faithfulness in chaotic times? Can you think of any ways you’ve experienced His faithfulness? What was that like?

• When life feels chaotic and unpredictable, God invites us to bring these feelings to Him and ask Him to help us remember His steadying presence. He delights in answering these prayers. In addition to talking to God, who are trusted Christians you can talk to when you’re struggling to keep up with life’s changes—such as friends, parents, pastors, youth leaders, or counselors?

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

READ: GENESIS 3:1-9; PSALMS 89:9; 107:29; EPHESIANS 2:4-10

Nyoka twisted her scaly blue body around and laughed as she watched the other merpeople, who swam behind her. The chilly ocean water and vibrant coral made it a perfect day for a game of capture the flag. As she continued to maneuver her way through the seaweed, looking for the red flag, a flash of a dark fin caught her eye. Nyoka had never seen a creature like that before, so she ducked behind some particularly large stalks of kelp and then tore off after it.

Within minutes, she found that the gray figure was swimming farther and farther down into the depths of the ocean. Her Father’s voice of warning tugged at the back of her mind, but Nyoka continued her pursuit. She watched the creature abruptly change its course and dive down into a narrow, rocky hole. She knew the passage well, for it was the one place her Father forbade her to go. The mermaid waited only a moment before following.

Darkness engulfed her. As her eyes started to adjust, Nyoka shook her head. That was when she heard a cackle from behind her. Through the haze, she felt she could almost make out the creature’s form, its tail swaying back and forth. “Finally, you are mine!”

Her heart skipped a beat. “Wh-who are you?” She managed to stutter. But the creature only laughed again and then appeared in front of her face. “I am Death.” The faint light from above started to dim, and the water churned darker. Nyoka felt herself starting to fade, her scales beginning to lose their color. Her eyes closed, and she managed to cry out softly, “Father, save me.”

At the whisper of those words, the ocean came alive. The salt water went from midnight black to clear blue as light flooded the space around her. A thunderous voice echoed into the deep, and the dark form fled in terror. Nyoka opened her eyes and saw her Father swimming toward her. “I’m sorry, “she sobbed. “I’m so, so sorry.” He only pulled her closer and softly spoke into her ear, “Even here, I am with you.” • Molly McTernan

• Has there ever been a time when you felt like you were too deep for God to save you? We’ve all sinned, choosing to go our own way instead of listening to God. The result of sin is death, and none of us can save ourselves. Yet God, in His great mercy, is so eager to save us. Jesus was willing to die for us, and then rise again, so we could be forgiven and saved from sin and death. (For more about this good news, see our "Know Jesus" page.) Even as Christians, we sometimes think we’re too far gone, and we need to be reminded again that Jesus saved us and is still saving us and will save us in the end. What He started—that is, salvation—He will complete (Philippians 1:6).

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. Ephesians 2:4-5 (NIV)