DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
AUGUST 9, 2026
READ: Psalm (Focus vs. 31:1-5 & 7-13)
MEMORY VERSE
“Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.” Psalm 31:2
BACKGROUND
The film A Hidden Life tells the true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jägerstätter during World War II. Sickened by Nazi atrocities and believing only Jesus is Lord, Franz refused to swear allegiance to Hitler and was arrested. The rest of the film shows the anguish this brave stand brought him.
Franz’s village treated him with contempt for opposing Hitler’s agenda.
Cellmates ridiculed his faith, and even some priests thought he was being foolish. “God doesn’t care what you say, only what’s in your heart,” one person says in the film, tempting Franz to “hail” Hitler without meaning it to save his life.
“My rock, my fortress,” Franz prays, feeling pressure to recant, “give me strength to follow You.”
Psalm 31 is the prayer of a person facing evil powers. “Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me” (v. 2), David pleads in the face of his own tyrants (vv. 4, 11).
His life in anguish and suffering the contempt of his neighbors, David longs to stay faithful under pressure (vv. 3, 10-13). “Into your hands I commit my spirit,” he prays (v. 5), words later echoed by Jesus on the cross (Luke 23:46).
Our God never leaves costly faithfulness unrewarded. Franz Jägerstätter stayed faithful to the end. Like Jesus, this faithfulness cost him his life. But just as Jesus was raised from the grave, so Franz will rise one day too.
Sheridan Voysey
INSIGHT
In his anguish, David turned to God, his “rock of refuge” (Psalm 31:2). God heard his “cry for mercy” (v. 22) and delivered him from his enemies (vv. 8, 15). He hears our cries too and offers us an eternal reward for our faithfulness and perseverance.
James 1:12 tells us, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Therefore, we’re encouraged to “stand firm . . . always [giving ourselves] fully to the work of the Lord,” because our “labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
What can you learn from history’s martyrs? What can you do today to stay faithful in a time of trial?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Our God never leaves costly faithfulness unrewarded.”
PR’s TAKE
Faithful till and unto death Pr -Adapted
“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”Revelation 2:10
PRAYER
“My Rock and Fortress, please give me strength to follow You, whatever opposition I face.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD”
A mighty fortress is our God,
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper he, amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Does seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing,
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His name,
From age to age the same;
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God has willed
His truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.
That Word above all earthly powers
No thanks to them abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
His kingdom is forever!
