The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

When life feels uncertain, it’s easy to wonder where God is. Waiting, unanswered prayers, difficult circumstances, and seasons of feeling forgotten can make us question whether God is still with us. David experienced those same struggles, yet his story reminds us that God’s presence and promises remain true even when we cannot see what He is doing.
Faith doesn’t mean ignoring our doubts or pretending difficult seasons don’t hurt. Like David in Psalm 22, we can bring our questions, fears, and frustrations honestly to God while choosing to remember who He is. Even in the valleys, God has not abandoned us. When we cling to His promises and trust His faithfulness, our prayers can move from anguish toward praise as we remember that God is with us on both the good days and the hard ones.
Highlights:
Why feeling forgotten by God doesn’t mean He has abandoned you
What David’s uncertain journey teaches us about waiting on God
How to bring doubts, questions, and frustrations honestly to the Lord
Why difficult circumstances can test our faith without disproving God’s faithfulness
How David moved from anguish and confusion toward praise in Psalm 22
Remembering that God is present in both the mountains and valleys of life
How Psalm 139 can reassure us of God’s constant presence
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Full Transcript Below:
Clinging to God When Life Feels Uncertain
By: Laura Bailey
Bible Reading:
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me,
so far from my cries of anguish? - Psalm 22:1 ( NIV)
“Mom, why did God abandon David when he needed him most?” my youngest daughter asked before bedtime. Earlier in the day, we’d gone to see a movie about David’s life. My girls were familiar with the general story of David as King, but the movie, which focused on David’s transition from shepherd to King of Israel, raised many questions.

I thought about my daughter’s question in more detail. Often, we think of (and teach our children) David as the slayer of Goliath, or as the mighty king. We linger on the fulfillment of God’s promises to David—protection, prosperity, and promotion to King. And while it is important to draw our children’s focus to God keeping His promise, we also need to share the hard parts of David’s journey, the testing of his faith, and God’s faithfulness. For starters, the prophet Samuel anointed David as the future king when he was just a teenager, yet David didn’t take the throne until he was almost 30! Historians estimate that David became king about 15-20 years after Samuel's pronouncement, when he eventually succeeded Saul.
David’s life involved a lot of uncertainty and waiting on God.
The scene that prompted my daughter’s question was inspired by Psalm 22. With words and phrases like “forsaken, cry out, far from saving, you do not answer,” it can be easy to think that God had indeed forgotten David, or at the very least wasn’t with him in the wilderness. I shared with my daughter that just because David was going through a hard time didn’t mean that God had neglected him. God promised to make David king, and He would [eventually] fulfill that promise.
“Let’s look at the closing verses of Psalm 22,” I said to my daughter, grabbing my Bible. Psalms 22:22-23 says, “I will declare your name to my people; in the assembly I will praise you.
You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!” We can openly bring our doubts, questions, concerns, and grievances to the Lord, yet we shouldn’t leave them there. Our petitions should ultimately lead us to praise, as we see in David’s prayer.
The first few verses of Psalm 22 are filled with angst, confusion, and general frustration over his current circumstances. But through his prayer, David turns his problems into praise. How can one give gratitude to God in the most dire of situations? Because he remembers who God is— most importantly, he rests confidently in the assurance that God will keep His promise to deliver David and ultimately His people.
While God had something good planned for David’s life, that didn’t mean his life would be easy or without hardship. The majority of the Psalms were written while David was fleeing from Saul, and a few when his own son was trying to kill him! While David felt like God had abandoned him, the truth was that God was always with him. “And God is always with you, too,” I shared with my little girl. “On the good days and the bad days, He is there.”
I easily forget that the God of the mountains is the God of the valley, and no matter my circumstances, He hears my cries. Just as with David, there will be times when I feel alone, but God never forsakes His children. He is always working for my good and His glory.

Intersecting Faith & Life:
If you currently feel forgotten by God, read Psalm 139:7-12 and write down what it says about God’s presence.
Further Reading:
1 Samuel 16
Psalm 22
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When a young adult walks away from faith, church, or the values they were raised with, the pain can be deep. Parents, pastors, mentors, and loved ones may wonder what went wrong and feel the urge to fix the situation. But when someone we love strays, Scripture reminds us that God is still at work, and our response can make a meaningful difference.
Loving a young adult who has stepped away from Christianity requires a balance of truth, grace, patience, and acceptance. Healthy Christian community can play an important role in helping people reconnect with their faith, but bringing someone back isn’t about forcing them to change. Instead, we can continue loving them, remain available, encourage healthy community, and extend the same grace God has shown us. Sometimes the most important question a young adult needs answered is simply, “Do you still love me?”
Highlights:
What to do when a young adult strays from faith or church
Why trying to “fix” a young adult can push them further away
How Christian community can help young adults reconnect with their faith
The difference between accepting someone and approving of their choices
Why love, grace, patience, and availability matter when someone is struggling spiritually
How to point young adults toward healthy communities of faith without forcing them
Remembering that God’s grace is available even when we make mistakes or stray
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Full Transcript Below:
When the Young Adult That You Love Strays
By: Maina Mwaura
Bible Reading:
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53:6As a former youth pastor, one of the things that I cherish the most is running into former students. So in one week, two students that I had the privilege of ministering to crossed my path at the same time, which was not unusual, being that I have lived in the same city on and off for over twenty-five years. What was unusual was the differing paths that both students have taken.
I can still remember when Thomas and Chris both made professions of faith at the same camp. It was a summer that I will never forget, as both boys, now young men, were also baptized the same day. As Thomas approached me in the middle of the grocery store, I still remembered his face. Just as I locked eyes with Thomas, his wife and kids came around the corner. All I could think of was WOW, time flies. Thomas and his wife both love the Lord, and Thomas is even involved in the same church that I was on staff at many years ago. I walked away from that encounter, thrilled that Thomas was still on track. Although there was a moment in his life when he strayed, he had found his way back.
That same week, while eating lunch in another part of town, I ran into Chris. Chris walked in dressed in a suit and tie. He also looked just like he did in his former years. During my time with Chris, he mentioned that he cherished the years we had together, but that he had stepped outside the faith and hadn’t been involved in a church for years.
As Chris walked away, I couldn’t help but reflect on what went wrong and right with both Chris and Thomas. Although that’s the human thing to do, author Jim Burns would say that’s the wrong place to start. Recently, I spent some time with Jim Burns, who has written on the topic of young adult issues and dynamics, and has a new book titled When Your Young Adult Child Strays. Jim is clear that when a young adult strays, putting on the martyr badge isn’t the step that we should be taking. During my time with Jim, he assured me that God is okay with mess-ups, and in fact, we have an entire Hall of Faith in Hebrews that confirms this.
One of the key characteristics that both men mentioned during our time together was community. Both men mentioned either how much they loved their community or, in Thomas’ case, how much they missed it. Burns's research shows that 65% of young adults who strayed returned to their faith communities. I’m not surprised by this at all. Thomas mentioned that after he had strayed away from the church, it was his community of friends and a former Sunday School teacher who reached out to him in his time of need. Community, mixed in with being available for young adults, is one of the keys that brings those back who stray.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Both men whom I had the privilege of ministering to were unique and different in their life choices. During my time with Chris, it was Jim Burns's words that I had to stay focused on most. Chris has made some life choices that clearly go against scripture, and although I wanted to add my thoughts and opinions, I had to remember the words of Jim: acceptance doesn’t mean approval. Often, when young adults stray, we love them either as their parents or, in my case, former students in my youth ministry, and we want to fix them. Jesus never tries to fix us; in fact, he does the opposite. Young adults don’t want to be fixed. In fact, I would go as far as to say that people in general don’t want to be fixed.
In bringing young adults back home into spiritually healthy communities, these three things will be of great help. Love them, try to point them into healthy communities of faith, and accept them for where they are in this stage of life. Another way is showing them the grace that you needed when you were their age. At the end of the day, according to Burns, young adults are simply asking, “Do you still love me”?
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What does your life reveal about what is really happening in your heart? Our words, attitudes, choices, and actions can reveal far more about our faith than what we say we believe. Proverbs 27:19 reminds us that “as water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart,” challenging us to take an honest look at whether our everyday lives actually reflect our relationship with God.
It’s easy to recognize pride, impatience, or poor judgment in others while overlooking those same attitudes in ourselves. But God calls us to examine our hearts and allow His Word to expose what needs to change. When we choose humility, wisdom, and obedience, our lives can become a genuine reflection of Christ—pointing the people around us toward Him rather than simply telling them what we believe.
Highlights:
Discover how your words and actions reveal the condition of your heart.
Learn why impatience and always wanting to share your opinion can be warning signs.
Consider how pride can quietly influence your relationships and decisions.
Explore what Proverbs teaches about wisdom, humility, and being willing to listen.
Understand why our outward behavior should align with what we profess to believe.
Ask God to examine your heart and help your life reflect His Word.
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Full Transcript Below:
What Is Your Life Reflecting about Your Heart?
By Lynette Kittle
Bible Reading:
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” - Proverbs 27:19
What are our lives reflecting to those around us? How are our words and actions revealing what is within our hearts and what we really believe?
Too many of us know, or have known, individuals who say they are Christians, yet their actions tell another story, one that doesn’t support what their words confess.
Proverbs points out that how we’re living is truly a reflection of our hearts, so if we’re saying one thing, but living in another way, the truth is in our reflection. If we think we’re hiding what’s in our hearts, we need to reconsider because we can’t really hide what’s going on inside of us.
If we say we love God, but then our words and actions don’t align with His words and commands, we may fool a few people, or even many… but we may be mostly fooling ourselves.
The following are alarming reflections: the things rooted in our hearts that we may be missing that are fooling us.
Are we impatient, not wanting to hear what others have to say or explain, wanting to express our own viewpoints?
If so, it’s wise for us to consider what Proverbs 18:2 describes: “Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.”
Do we really enjoy hearing all the wild and evil schemes others devise? Are shows and stories on true crimes more interesting to us than the Bible and godly programming?
If so, Proverbs 10:23 reveals that, “A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.”
When we’re faced with deciding between following God’s wisdom or choosing to follow the wisdom of men, what do we choose? Are we finding ourselves trusting more in what men and women tell us than in God?
John 2:23-24 tells us what Jesus would do: “Now while He was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs He was performing and believed in His name. But Jesus would not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all people.”
If we find ourselves thinking we’re too wise or important to listen to or consider others’ words spoken to us, we may want to consider what Proverbs 23:9 describes: “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.”
Do we see ourselves as smarter than everyone around us? If so, we may want to contemplate what Proverbs 26:5 describes: “Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.”
Maybe those around us are just not pointing out when we’re in error, letting us think we’re always right. If so, we’re in danger of being deceived and led into making foolish choices.
Do we see ourselves as better than others? If so, as Proverbs 16:18 warns, we may not know when we’re in pride and at risk of falling, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
It seems like pride may be kind of hidden for anyone who is prideful, and not an easy attitude for most to detect in ourselves. But, as Proverbs 11:2 warns, “When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.”
Taking Stock of What We’re Reflecting
It’s wise for us to take stock of ourselves now and then, just to double-check whether we’ve gotten off track in our lives or derailed a bit from where God is leading us.
We can also ask God to examine and expose our hearts so that we may recognize and address any wrong thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
Also, we can ask Him to strengthen us and help us reflect Him and His word in our lives.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
What is your life reflecting about your heart? If not liking what’s being reflected, ask God to help you to see clearly and to lead you with His word and godly principles, so that others are drawn to Him, through what they’re seeing in you.
Further Reading:
5 Ways Christians Can Reflect Christ Through Everyday Etiquette
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Learning doesn’t stop when school ends. Even after we finish our formal education, start careers, raise families, and settle into familiar routines, there is still so much to discover. God calls us to remain teachable, curious, and willing to grow, because wisdom isn’t about reaching a point where we know everything—it’s about recognizing how much we still have to learn. Proverbs 1:5 encourages the wise to keep adding to their learning and seeking guidance.
A busy life can make it easy to become comfortable with what we already know and stop challenging ourselves. But lifelong learning can strengthen both our minds and our faith, helping us see God’s creativity, wisdom, and character in new ways. Whether through Scripture, books, conversations, podcasts, new skills, prayer, or simply paying closer attention to the world around us, every day offers an opportunity to learn something new and grow closer to God.
Highlights
Why learning and personal growth shouldn’t end when formal education does
What Proverbs 1:5 teaches about remaining teachable and seeking guidance
How comfort and busy routines can keep us from continuing to grow
Why a stagnant mind can contribute to a stagnant faith
Simple ways to keep learning without going back to school
How curiosity and humility can help us recognize what God is teaching us
Why lifelong learning can deepen our sense of awe and appreciation for God’s wisdom
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Full Transcript Below:
Learn More Every Day
By: Whitney Hopler
Bible Reading:
“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance…” – Proverbs 1:5, NIV
Every time a new semester starts at George Mason University, where I work, I’m inspired by seeing students excited about learning. Watching them walk around campus and hearing them discuss new ideas reminds me that education is a powerful gift. It makes me grateful that even though I’m not the one taking university classes anymore, my own education never actually ends. God is always teaching me something new if I’m just willing to keep a clear mind and a teachable heart.
This back-to-school season reminds us that learning is a lifelong calling. In Proverbs 1:5, the Bible encourages the wise to add to their learning and the discerning to get guidance. Truly wise people never reach a point where they decide they finally know enough. People who have discernment know they always need God’s guidance.
No matter how old we are, how many degrees we hold, or how much career experience we’ve accumulated, God calls us to learn more every day.
Unfortunately, it’s easy for us to let our lives shrink down to the level of our to-do lists. Once we finish our formal education and settle into our careers and family routines, we can easily stop challenging ourselves. We may get comfortable living our lives the same way every day and close our minds to fresh perspectives. If we let ourselves become overwhelmed by our responsibilities, we can neglect to make time for learning and growth in our busy schedules. Then we won’t be able to learn what God is trying to teach us.
A stagnant mind leads to a stagnant faith. God is infinitely creative, so there’s always more of God’s character to discover and more of God’s world to understand. When we stop learning, we limit our capacity for God to use us in new and exciting ways.
So, it’s important to follow the advice in Proverbs 1:5 and add to our learning. Every day that God gives us to live is a valuable opportunity to learn more.
We don’t need to enroll in graduate school or read massive textbooks to add to our learning. We just need to have curious and humble attitudes as we go about our daily lives. We can learn something new by reading a book, listening to a podcast during our commutes to and from work, or learning a skill we want to develop – like cooking better meals – by asking someone we know to teach us. Spiritually, we can add to our learning by studying the Bible, taking a wonder walk in nature, or strengthening our prayer and meditation practices. Every piece of new inspiration God gives us can help us appreciate the wonderful world God has made.
Lifelong learning can lead us to feel awe, because it shows us that our human understanding is very small compared to God’s unlimited knowledge and wisdom. When we approach each day asking God to teach us something new that day, we can become quicker to listen, slower to judge, and much more adaptable to life’s changes than we would be otherwise. So, as the children and young adults in our communities head back to school, let’s join them in their commitment to learn more. Let’s never stop being students of God’s truth by adding to our learning each and every day!
Intersecting Faith & Life:
As you consider why lifelong learning is important, reflect on these questions:
What’s one specific topic that you’ve been wanting to learn more about lately?
In what areas of your daily routine have you become too comfortable, and how can you challenge yourself to grow there?
How can you create regular time in your busy schedule to acquire more knowledge and seek God’s guidance more?
Think of someone in your life who has a very teachable spirit. What qualities do you admire most about his or her attitude?
What’s one step you can take today to learn something new from a friend, family member, or coworker?
Further Reading:
Proverbs 9:9
Proverbs 18:15
Psalm 119:66
2 Peter 3:18
Philippians 1:9
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Loneliness can feel especially painful when you’re surrounded by people yet still feel like you have no one who truly understands or knows what you’re carrying. You may long for deeper friendships, meaningful community, or simply someone you can call when life gets difficult. But feeling lonely does not mean you are alone. Scripture reminds us that God is near to the lonely and afflicted, and Jesus promises to remain with His followers always.
God created us for relationship—with Him and with one another. While faith in Jesus doesn’t eliminate our need for human friendship and community, it gives us an unshakable foundation when relationships feel distant or absent. When loneliness weighs heavily, we can turn that pain into prayer, draw closer to God, and ask Him to bring trustworthy, Christ-centered people into our lives.
Highlights
What Scripture says about loneliness and God’s presence
Why feeling lonely doesn’t mean you are truly alone
How a relationship with Jesus can provide lasting hope and security
Why God created us for both relationship with Him and healthy community with others
How to turn feelings of loneliness into opportunities for prayer
Practical ways to seek meaningful friendships and Christ-centered community
Encouragement to trust God to bring the right people into your life
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Full Transcript Below:
Lonely But Not Alone
By Alexis A. Goring
Bible Reading:
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” - Psalm 25:16 NIV
Lately, God has helped me realize that when I feel lonely, I am never alone because He is always with me, as are His Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.God doesn’t want us to feel lonely. He built us for community and support—first with Him, then with others whom He created. English poet John Donne said, “No man is an island.” He may have spoken those words in the 17th century, but such wisdom is still true today for all of us.
According to an article published online in March 2026 for “WashU The Source” under the Newsroom section, Deb Parker wrote, “In 2023, the World Health Organization declared loneliness a global public health concern and launched a commission focused on strengthening social connections. That same year, the U.S. surgeon general warned that loneliness carries serious health risks, comparing its mortality impact to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Research increasingly links loneliness not only to mental health challenges but also to physical health risks, including heart disease, stroke, and early death.”
According to an article by Ann Friedman published online in May 2026 for Call Your Girlfriend, “Loneliness can affect anyone, but the sheer scale at which people are getting trapped by the modern malaise of loneliness is concerning. So much so that loneliness has become the defining health crisis of our times… According to the WHO's June 2025 report, loneliness is associated with around 100 deaths per hour globally. That's not all — stress-related absenteeism from work costs US employers an estimated $154 billion annually. These numbers point to a more grave situation than one can imagine. Each statistic reflects a lonely person eating their dinner alone, another who has millions of online connections but no one to call in a moment of crisis, yet another who weeps alone and has no shoulder to cry on. The ripple effects of loneliness extend far beyond mere sadness, as many chronic lifestyle diseases are added on due to the condition, such as coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes. That's not all — loneliness gives rise to cognitive decline and several mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, substance use disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder.”
How can we solve this dangerous problem? Friedman said, “Loneliness can be eased by a multi-pronged approach. Individuals can take personal steps by reaching out to friends and family, joining social clubs, or taking part in group activities that align with their interests. They can also participate in volunteer or community work, which can create meaning and a sense of belonging.”
I believe that the loneliness crisis can also be solved through a genuine relationship with our Savior (Jesus Christ). He died so that we may have life (John 3:16) and have it abundantly (John 10:10). While our mortal enemy (Satan/the devil) is trying to destroy us (making us feel alone and lonely is only one of his tactics), our Savior is constantly wooing us to Him. According to Romans 5:10, He is working hard to reconcile us with our Maker (God).
When we accept Jesus Christ into our hearts and decide to live for Him, it’s like we get a new wind, a new outlook, and purpose in life. We are finally secure in something (faith) and in someone (God) who is unshakable. God cannot die. He lives forever, and all His promises to us are true. One of His promises is to be with us to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means our relationship with Jesus Christ is one that will span the ages and last forever. He is our most Faithful Friend who will literally never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus is the only one who will never let you down and never abandon you (Deuteronomy 31:8).
This doesn’t mean that Jesus wants to be your only friend. As I said earlier, He created us for a healthy and safe community with each other. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to God and ask Him to send good friends into your life. Friends who genuinely love the Lord and who truly care about you. When I learned to do this, God began to bless me above and beyond with a wonderful community found through friendships with other Christians. It is a joy and honor to experience life with them. God can do the same for you if you let Him.
So, when you’re feeling alone, remember that you’re never alone because Jesus is always with you. Turn your pain into prayers and ask Him to help you be friends with Him first, and others, second. Ask God for the community you crave and trust Him to send the right people into your life.
In closing, I’d like for you to listen and reflect on these three songs (listed below).
Song of Reflection #1: “Jesus Loves Me” by Whitney Houston. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #2: “You’re Not Alone” by Meredith Andrews. Listen to it HERE.
Song of Reflection #3: “God Loves You” by Jaci Velasquez. Listen to it HERE.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
How does it feel to know that when you feel lonely, you are never alone because God is always with you?
Further Reading:
Isaiah 41:10
Hebrews 6:17-18
Deuteronomy 31:6
1 Timothy 6:16
Psalm 90:2
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