Day 26

Exodus 1–2 | Mark 11:26–12:12

“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” (Mark 12:10)

The story of Moses’s birth in Exodus 2 is one of hope born out of desperation. His mother, faced with the unthinkable, entrusts her son to God’s care by placing him in a basket in the Nile. It must have felt like surrendering him to an uncertain fate—but God was at work, orchestrating a plan of redemption not just for Moses, but for an entire nation.

Mark 12 reminds us that Jesus is our ultimate cornerstone—the One who brings hope and redemption in the midst of brokenness. He is the foundation of every good thing, even when the path forward feels unclear or impossible.

In 2011, my wife and I found ourselves in a season of uncertainty. We were pregnant with Sophia, living beyond our means in Sacramento, and we knew God was calling us to move back to Fresno. But it didn’t make sense on paper. The job I was offered came with an $11,000 pay cut. We couldn’t make ends meet and had to move in with my in-laws. We had debt. We were expecting a daughter but didn’t even have health insurance.

It felt like we were stepping out into the unknown, much like Moses’s mother when she released that basket into the river. But God provided. He gave us a home in Fresno—small and humble, in a rough neighborhood—but it was exactly what we needed. It came at the lowest point of the housing market, and we were able to buy it at a price we could afford. What felt like a leap of faith turned into a story of God’s faithfulness. Looking back, I can see how God’s timing and provision were perfect, even though it didn’t feel that way at the time.

God’s plans often unfold in ways we don’t expect. His provision doesn’t always align with our timeline or preferences, but it is always good. Like the Israelites in Exodus, He sees us in our need. Like the tenants in Mark 12, He invites us to build our lives on the cornerstone of Christ, trusting that He will sustain us through every trial.

Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness and provision in every season. Help me to trust Your timing and to surrender my fears to You, knowing that You are always working for my good and Your glory. Amen.