While GenAI can give a good devotion, the really good devotion still comes from the expert. Today I will take Oswald Chambers' devotion on John 6:32a as an example. Chambers titles it as Spiritual Grit. Click on the link to read the devotion.
Now you can compare it against the GenAIs:
DeepSeek.R1
Title: "Alone, Yet Not Alone: Trusting God's Faithfulness in Times of Scattering"
Scripture Reading:
John 16:32 (NIV)
“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”Reflection:
In the quiet hours before His crucifixion, Jesus prepared His disciples for the storm ahead. He knew their hearts—their courage would falter, their loyalty would waver, and they would scatter in fear. Yet, even as He foretold their abandonment, Jesus revealed a profound truth: though human relationships may fail, God’s presence remains unshaken. The disciples’ scattering was not the end of their story. After the resurrection, Jesus restored them, showing that His grace transcends our weaknesses. In His moment of deepest isolation, Jesus clung to the Father’s faithfulness, modeling for us how to endure seasons of loneliness or betrayal.Application:
- Acknowledge Human Frailty: Like the disciples, we may flee trials or deny our faith under pressure. Instead of condemning ourselves, we can humbly bring our failures to God, trusting His mercy (1 John 1:9).
- Lean on Divine Faithfulness: When others disappoint us, or when we feel alone, remember Jesus’ words: “The Father is with me.” His promise in Hebrews 13:5 echoes, “Never will I leave you.”
- Restore and Be Restored: After scattering, the disciples reunited and grew stronger. Seek community, offer forgiveness, and let God’s grace turn brokenness into redemption.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, in moments when fear scatters my heart or others leave me feeling alone, remind me that You are near. Forgive me when I rely on my own strength instead of Yours. Teach me to trust Your presence, even in the dark. May I find courage in knowing that You never abandon me, and use my struggles to draw others into Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.Closing Thought:
Scattering is not the end. Just as seeds scattered grow into harvest, our seasons of trial can deepen our roots in God’s faithfulness. You are never truly alone—the Father walks with you.
ChatGPT:
Devotion on John 16:32a
"A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered," (John 16:32a, NIV)
Reflection
Jesus spoke these words to His disciples just before His arrest. He knew that in a short time, fear and uncertainty would cause them to scatter, leaving Him alone. Yet, He did not say this to condemn them but to prepare them.
In life, we all experience moments of scattering—times when trials, hardships, or fear disrupt our stability. It may be a crisis of faith, unexpected loss, or overwhelming pressure that makes us feel distant from God and others. Jesus’ words remind us that such moments are not a surprise to Him. He foresaw the disciples’ weakness and still loved them. He foresaw our struggles and still chose to redeem us.
Application
- Expect Trials, but Trust in Christ – Jesus warned His disciples in advance, not to discourage them but to strengthen them. Likewise, when we face difficulties, we should remember that Jesus has already prepared us to endure.
- God’s Love Remains Even in Our Weakness – The disciples fled in fear, yet Jesus later restored them. When we stumble or feel distant from God, His love and grace remain. He calls us back, just as He did with them.
- Stay Rooted in Faith – Though trials may scatter us, they don’t have to define us. If we hold onto Jesus, He will gather us back, restoring our faith and purpose.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for knowing my weaknesses and loving me still. When I face trials that shake my faith or leave me feeling scattered, remind me that You are still in control. Draw me back to You and help me trust that no matter how far I may feel, Your love and grace are never out of reach. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Which Devotion do you prefer?
I think Chamber's is better. It is more positive than just enduring trails. It is "Are we prepared to let God separate us emotionally from his blessings, to scatter us into darkness and desolation? If we let him, spiritual grit will be our reward." i.e. Trails make us Stonger Spiritually.
Better Still --- Get AI to Integrate Them:
Here is one done by DeepSeek.
Title: "Alone, Yet Not Alone: Cultivating Spiritual Grit in the Scattering"
Scripture Reading:
John 16:32-33 (NIV)
“A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. […] In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. ”
Reflection:
On the brink of His crucifixion, Jesus spoke not to condemn His disciples but to prepare them. He knew their faith was genuine yet unsettled—distracted by self-interest and unprepared for the trial ahead. Their scattering was not merely a failure of courage but a divine opportunity. God allowed their fragmentation to forge spiritual grit: the kind of faith that thrives not in comfort but in surrender. Jesus, abandoned yet never alone, modeled reliance on the Father’s presence even in desolation.The disciples’ scattering was not punishment but a sacred discipline. It stripped them of relying on blessings, feelings, or proximity to Jesus, teaching them to trust God in the dark. Similarly, God may scatter us emotionally—separating us from the comforts we idolize—to reveal whether we seek Him or merely His gifts. Darkness, under His sovereign hand, becomes a classroom where we learn to say, “All is well,” even when nothing feels well.
Application:
- Embrace Divine Discipline: When trials scatter you, ask, What is God refining in me? Trust that His purpose is not to harm but to fortify your faith (Hebrews 12:11).
- Seek God, Not Just Blessings: In darkness, resist demanding answers. Instead, seek His face. As Job declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15).
- Cultivate Grit Through Waiting: Spiritual grit grows in seasons where God seems silent. Wait. His timing is perfect, and His presence is enough (Psalm 27:14).
Prayer:
Father, when my faith feels scattered and my heart clings to blessings more than You, draw me back. Forgive me for seeking Your hand over Your heart. Teach me to trust You in the dark, to praise You when blessings fade, and to find my anchor in Your unchanging character. Let my trials produce grit, not bitterness, until I echo Christ’s victory: “Take heart—He has overcome.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Thought:
Scattering is not the end—it’s the seedbed of resilience. Just as the disciples’ fear gave way to fiery faith after the resurrection, your season of desolation can birth unshakable trust. Remember: The same God who walked with Jesus in loneliness walks with you. And because He has overcome, so will you. “Take heart!” (John 16:33).Key Verse to Carry:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” —John 16:33 (NIV)
