Today’s Reading: Luke 2:8-20, Psalm 34

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” – Luke 2:13-15

Peace on earth — This is a wish or a phrase we hear a lot around Christmas. There is a natural desire in this world for peace, yet so many people are looking for peace in all the wrong places. How can we experience this peace declared by the angels; how can we walk this path of peace mentioned in Luke 1? If peace on earth is for those with whom God is pleased, how can I become the object of God’s pleasure?

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. – Romans 8:5-6

WE EXPERIENCE PEACE WHEN WE SURRENDER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It is at the moment of surrender that I experience this peace I am searching for. It is when I stop trying to control my circumstances or manipulate my outcomes that I go from struggling to surrendering. When I reach exhaustion from seeking peace in all the wrong places, I turn and find that God’s offer is still available. Life and peace can be woven through my story if only I can overcome my stubbornness and fully surrender my life to Jesus Christ.

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil — for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good — for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. – Romans 2:5-11

WE EXPERIENCE PEACE WHEN WE CHOOSE TO DO THE GOOD FOR WHICH GOD CREATED US.

I cannot live for my own happiness and find peace; I cannot reject the truth found in scripture and experience the peace of God. This promise of peace is for those who turn from their sin, who are daily seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. Those who reject the gift of God’s righteousness are void of the perfect peace available to those who enter into a covenant relationship with God.

“They don’t know where to find peace.”
“They have no fear of God at all.” – Romans 3:17-18

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. – Romans 5:1-2

WE EXPERIENCE PEACE WHEN WE CHOOSE TO PLACE OUR TRUST IN GOD.

As we surround ourselves in the celebration of Christmas, may this be the year of total surrender. What are you holding onto that you need to release to God? What do you need to bring to the manger in order to experience the gift of peace available to you? What confession needs to be made, what relationship needs restored, what habit needs to be broken in order for you to experience all that God has for you? I would love to encourage you to fully surrender your life to Jesus and find the peace you have been seeking.

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

Lord, I surrender my life to you. I am done resisting and rebelling against your plan for my life. Please take this mess I have made and create in me a clean heart. Give me a faith that daily strengthens me, helping me to trust you every day. I choose to let go of everything and rest in your capable hands. Lord, empty me of everything that is self-seeking and fill me with your Holy Spirit so that I can overflow with confident hope and be filled with the joy and peace that come from you. Amen.

Today’s Reading: Luke 1

“Because of God’s tender mercy,
The morning light from heaven is about to break upon us,
To give light to those who sit in darkness
And in the shadow of death,
And to guide us to the path of peace.” – Luke 1:76-79

Can you feel the anticipation? Like the moment right before the sun peaks up over the horizon, there is an expectation of what is to come. The Light of the World is coming. Those sitting in the darkness will be led out of the shadow of death as the Light guides them to the path of peace.

These are the words of Zechariah following the birth of his son, John. After waiting for years to be a father, Zechariah is holding his newborn son. Prayers answered; expectations met. In this very special moment, Zechariah spoke a blessing over his precious baby boy while also prophesying the coming of the Messiah.

“Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
because he has visited and redeemed his people.
He has sent us a mighty Savior
from the royal line of his servant David,
just as he promised
through his holy prophets long ago.
Now we will be saved from our enemies
and from all who hate us.
He has been merciful to our ancestors
by remembering his sacred covenant—
the covenant he swore with an oath
to our ancestor Abraham.
We have been rescued from our enemies
so we can serve God without fear,
in holiness and righteousness
for as long as we live.” – Luke 1:68-75

He guides us down the path of peace, away from the darkness, out from under the shadow of death. Our mighty Savior rescues us from our enemies so that we can serve Him without fear. He provides for our salvation in order that we can experience His perfect peace, filled with His holiness and righteousness forever. When anxiety presses in, we can ask Him for peace; when we are overwhelmed with the circumstances of life, we can rest in the certainty of His faithfulness.

Lord, thank you for your mercy displayed through the birth of your Son. Thank you for rescuing us from the bondage of our sin and the strongholds of our past in order that we might experience peace. Fill our hearts with expectation of what is ahead as you guide us on the path of peace. Amen.

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe. – Psalm 4:8

The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace. – Psalm 29:10-11

Today’s Reading: Psalm 25 & 26

O Lord, I give my life to you.
I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you. – Psalm 25:1-5

I am so thankful this morning that I serve a God who sets a path before me, even when I am not sure where the road will take me. When we put our trust in the One who created us, allowing Him to use us for the purpose for which He created us, we can know that He will be with us every step of the way. And when we stray from the path He has planned for us, He is there to guide us back. He does not leave the journey unfinished and He does not leave us where He found us. If we will humble ourselves before the Lord in repentance, He will lead us back into a right relationship with Him. He will bring us back to a place of sweet peace and assurance as we surrender our lives to Him.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.
The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins. – Psalm 25:6-11

This Psalm, written by King David, shows the repentant heart of a man who had strayed far from the path God had laid out before him. He had seen the generous provisions of God, yet reached beyond what was His to take what was someone else’s. This reaching caused him to get completely off balance with God and he quickly lost his way. One sin covered up another sin, which covered up another sin, until the multitude of bad decisions overwhelmed him. He found himself off course and cried out for God to rescue him from the mess he had made. “Lord, I give my life to you…point out the road for me to follow…forgive my many, many sins.”

The same grace displayed towards David is available for us today. Have you gotten off course? Have you lost your peace? Perhaps today is the day to pray Psalm 25 and allow your Creator to get you back where you need to be — back on the path He planned for you long ago. God is ready to give you a fresh start so that you can live the life He created you for, standing on the solid ground of a right relationship with the Lord. And if those around you try to point out the sins of your past, your God will declare you innocent. Put your trust in the Lord and do not waver from the path He has set out for you. Allow Him to restore your peace this Christmas as you fully surrender yourself to Jesus Christ.

Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.
O God, ransom Israel from all its troubles. – Psalm 25:12-22

Today’s Reading: Psalm 138 & 139

I give you thanks, O Lord, with all my heart;
I will sing your praises before the gods.
I bow before your holy Temple as I worship.
I praise your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness;
For your promises are backed by all the honor of your name. – Psalm 138:1-2

GOD’S PROMISES ARE BACKED BY ALL THE HONOR OF HIS NAME.

Can we just sit in that truth for a moment? God is faithful and true, and He always keeps His promises. What He says, He will do. And we can have confidence in this truth because the Lord’s promises are backed by the honor of His holy name. Stop. Listen. All that God has promised you is backed by the honor of His perfect and holy name.

Father God, may the truth found in your Word wash over us in fresh and new ways this morning. Give us peace knowing that you are faithful to keep your promises. May our experience of your unfailing love give us the confidence to believe through both the good times and the difficult seasons.

As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength. – Psalm 138:3

GOD RESPONDS TO YOUR PRAYERS IMMEDIATELY.

When I pray, God listens and He responds to the cries of my heart. I may not hear an audible answer, and I may not immediately get what I am asking for, but I can have confidence that God is responding. Perhaps His response is to strengthen us, as it was with King David, or perhaps it is to comfort us. Let’s wait patiently on the Lord, knowing that His response is immediate even if we have to wait for the answer we are hoping for. When I stand confident in the knowledge that God is listening and responding as I pray, I can rest in the truth that He cares.

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.
Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies.
You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me. – Psalm 138:6-7

GOD SAVES YOU WITH HIS RIGHT HAND, SHOWING BOTH HIS STRENGTH AND HIS ABILITY.

God is bigger than our earthly troubles. He is stronger than the forces of evil, wiser than our worst enemies, and faithful to provide for us even in the hardest seasons of our lives. This world we live in is a mess and we are going to feel the pain of living in a sinful society, but God is not complacent. He is actively working in our lives.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life — for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever.
Don’t abandon me, for you made me. – Psalm 138:8

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
You see me when I travel and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! – Psalm 139:1-6

GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU AND IS WORKING OUT HIS PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE.

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up, you are still with me! – Psalm 139:16-18

May this be your prayer today as you trust in the God whose promises are backed by the honor of His name, who responds to your prayers as soon as you pray, and who is strong enough and capable enough to save you by His right hand. You are known by God, and He is actively working out His plans for your life. So open your heart to the One who formed you in your mother’s womb and knows every anxious thought that is distracting you from the message He wants you to hear today. Allow the Prince of Peace to reveal Himself to you as He leads you down the path He has prepared for you.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. – Psalm 139:23-24

Today’s Reading: Matthew 18:21-35; Psalm 103

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. – Romans 12:7-8

There are times in our lives when it is easy to forgive someone who has wronged us, and then there are times when it is the hardest thing we have ever had to do. But scriptures make it clear that we are to live at peace with everyone. What do we do with that?

The world defines forgiveness more from an inward perspective, telling me I should let go of resentment for the sake of my own peace of mind. After all, if I make a conscious decision to let go of my need for vengeance or my desire to carry a grudge, it frees me from the anger that can build up inside of me and rob me of joy. I choose to forgive for my own sake, not necessarily for the sake of the one who has hurt me. I do it for me, not for them.

But Biblical forgiveness starts with my need to ask God to forgive me of my sin. I recognize that I have gone against His will or disobeyed Him, so the need to be reconciled with my Creator causes me to ask for forgiveness. This is not about merely going through the motions of saying, “I have sinned, please forgive me.” It needs to come from a heart that is sincerely repentant. There is an element of regret or remorse that brings me to a place of apology.

IF I MUST SHOW REGRET TO RECEIVE FORGIVENESS, SHOULDN’T THE PERSON WHO HAS WRONGED ME NEED TO SHOW REGRET BEFORE I FORGIVE THEM?

I think we often take this definition of forgiveness into our relationships with others. We think there is no need to forgive someone who has sinned against us unless they sincerely apologize, showing some kind of regret or disappointment in themselves. We wait for this recognition of wrong and hold onto our hard feelings until we see it. But let’s see how Jesus defined our need to forgive others.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” – Mark 11:25

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”
“No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!” – Matthew 18:21-22

GOD CALLS US TO DISPLAY MERCY AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO HAVE SINNED AGAINST US.

Then Jesus shared a story about a servant who owed the king a lot of money but was unable to pay. The king forgave him his debt, but then he turned around and demanded the money another servant owed him. When the man could not pay, he had him arrested and thrown into prison. When the king heard that he did not extend the same mercy to someone else that he had been extended, he called the servant in and had him thrown into prison.

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” – Matthew 18:35

God calls us to be merciful to one another. He knows that we need to forgive other people just as much as they need to be forgiven. He does not tell us to demand an apology from someone else, nor does he say to wait until they make amends. He tells us to forgive just as He forgave us. And He knows that forgiving others is what will help us move forward. Forgiveness has a way of acknowledging my pain while refusing to let it define my future.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. — Colossians 3:12-14

It is not easy to forgive someone who has hurt us or sinned against us, but we serve a God who does not ask us to do hard things on our own. He steps in and gives us the strength to do what He is asking us to do. And then He fills the space that has been filled with bitterness with a peace that helps us move forward in freedom. Thank you, God, for your amazing provision! Help us to let go and forgive others, just as you have forgiven us.

MAY THOSE OF US WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED FORGIVENESS BE WILLING TO EXTEND FORGIVENESS TO OTHERS.

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. – Psalm 103:1-4

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever.
He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. – Psalm 103:8-12

Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.
When people’s lives please the Lord,
even their enemies are at peace with them. – Proverbs 16:6-7

Today’s Reading: Psalm 56

Have you ever felt alone? Have loneliness and fear ever pressed in, trying to convince you that you are all by yourself — that nobody is paying attention to you because nobody cares? My friend, that is exactly what the father of lies wants you to believe. If he can get you to believe that you are alone, that you have been abandoned by God, he can steal your peace.

He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. – John 8:44b

But Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). As he was ascending into heaven, Jesus said, “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). He also told his disciples that the Father was sending another Advocate to them, one that would never leave them. “He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth” (John 14:16-17).

So take time this morning to allow the Holy Spirit to remind you that God is with you, that God is for you, and that God will never leave you. No matter what is ahead, God loves you enough to stay with you. Let that knowledge wash over you and fill your heart with peace today.

YOU ARE WITH ME

In time of famine, when everything he built kept getting taken away from him, God told Isaac, “I am the God of your father, Abraham,” he said. “Do not be afraid, for I am with you and will bless you” (Genesis 26:24).

When life as he knew it was changing, and Jacob was on the run from the decisions he had made, God spoke up: “What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).

When Moses was overwhelmed with what God was asking him to do, he heard God say, “I will be with you. And this is your sign that I am the one who has sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God at this very mountain.” (Exodus 3:12)

YOU ARE FOR ME

Even in his grief, David knew that God was for him:
You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.
My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
This I know: God is on my side! – Psalm 56:8-9

In misery, Micah cried out, “As for me, I look to the Lord for help.
I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.
Do not gloat over me, my enemies! For though I fall, I will rise again.
Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.
I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, for I have sinned against him.
But after that, he will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.
The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see his righteousness.
Then my enemies will see that the Lord is on my side” (Micah 7:7-10a).

YOU’LL NEVER LEAVE ME

No matter what you are facing, know that God is with you, that God is for you, and that God will never leave you alone. No matter what is ahead, know that God loves you enough to stay.

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” – Hebrews 13:5b-6a

“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” – John 14:15-17

Let’s make Psalm 56 our prayer this morning, trusting that God is faithful and that He is present. God is aware of what we are going through and He loves us enough to stay by our side.

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 56:3-4

Today’s Reading: Psalm 37

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act. — Psalm 37:7a

This morning I am overwhelmingly grateful for a God whose presence is available for us to experience every day. On the good days, He is present; on the hard days, He is faithful. What has God done for you this week? In what ways has God provided for you over this last year? With intentionality, let’s consider what the Lord has brought us through and give Him the glory. Perhaps it was comfort that you received from God, or perhaps PEACE when it did not make sense to be calm. If God has answered your prayers, take a moment to thank Him again and give Him glory by sharing your story of God’s faithfulness with someone today.

Now, from a place of recognition that God has been faithful in your past, let your requests be known to the Lord. What do you need Him to do today? Take all that is heavy on your heart and place it in the hands of the Father who loves to give good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). When sorrow is pressing in, find your way back to gratitude and then be still in His presence, waiting patiently for the Lord to act.

Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. – Psalm 37:3-4

Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. – Psalm 37:5-6

At times, we are faced with situations that cause us to question God’s presence. Perhaps you are even now praying for healing for yourself or a loved one, or perhaps you are suffering an injustice or your motives have been misunderstood. Let’s sit in a place of trust this morning, knowing that God is in control and He is aware of all the details of our lives. He will never leave us; never will He forsake us. He will never fail us or abandon us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

The Lord directs the steps of the godly.
He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall,
for the Lord holds them by the hand.
Once I was young, and now I am old.
Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned
or their children begging for bread. — Psalm 37:23-25

This morning let’s soak in these promises found in scripture and know that God is present in our lives — during the good and the bad times. Know that God will never abandon us. We can trust the Lord, we should trust the Lord, and we must trust the Lord. Walking in faith requires it, even when it is easier said than done.

Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent,
and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever.
They will not be disgraced in hard times;
even in famine they will have more than enough. – Psalm 37:18-19

Put your hope in the Lord.
Travel steadily along his path.
He will honor you by giving you the land.
You will see the wicked destroyed. – Psalm 37:34

The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble.
The Lord helps them. Reducing them from the wicked.
He saves them, and they find shelter in him. – Psalm 37:39-40

I pray the Lord encourages you today. I pray you are able to trust Him with everything going on in your life and with your loved ones for whom your heart is heavy. May you be reminded this morning of His faithfulness as you wait patiently for the Lord to move on your behalf. Rest in the truth that God has not abandoned you and He never will, and may the Lord give you peace.

Be still in the presence of the Lord,
and wait patiently for him to act. — Psalm 37:7a

Today’s Reading: Matthew 12:9-21; Romans 8 & 12

One day, Jesus saw a man with a deformed hand. Because it was the Sabbath and they were in the synagogue, the religious leaders asked him if the law permitted him to heal the man. Jesus boldly reminded the leaders that it is permissible to do good on the Sabbath. Jesus turned to the man and told him to hold out his hand. The man displayed hope by holding out his hand, which was immediately healed. Instead of rejoicing in the man’s physical healing, the religious leaders began to plot how they might kill Jesus (Matthew 12:9-14).

Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. He warned them not to tell others about him. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
In his name the nations will put their hope.” – Matthew 12:15-21

The Old Testament prophecies were written to teach us. They give us confidence in who Jesus was while on earth, and they give us hope for what is to come. When we see evidence that God’s promises have been fulfilled through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, it encourages us to wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled (Romans 15:4). So when we go through difficult seasons, when we experience the suffering that so often comes with this life, we can place our hope in the glorious freedom we will experience one day.

WE ARE GIVEN A NEW HOPE WHEN WE ACCEPT JESUS AS OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) – Romans 8:19-25

WE WAIT WITH EAGER HOPE FOR THE DAY WHEN OUR ADOPTION WILL BE COMPLETE.

What a day that will be! But God is not calling us to sit passively by and wait in expectation. No, Jesus gave us a great commission (Matthew 28:18-20), as well as many other instructions of how we are to live our lives each day. This eager hope placed within us should inspire us to make a difference in the world around us, so that others might experience this same confident hope.

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. – Romans 12:9-18

Lord, we are grateful for the gift of your hope that creates within us an eagerness and confidence. May the presence of your Spirit living within us be evidenced by the way we live our lives, and may others find their way to you through both our words and our actions. Give us the courage to hold out our hand for all that you desire to do in our lives, and the endurance to withstand the hard seasons that come. May our struggles bring us to our knees, submitting to what you want to teach us and allowing you to heal the broken pieces for your glory. Amen.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

Today’s Reading: Matthew 1:1-7, Isaiah 11 & 16

Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. – Isaiah 11:1

In that day the heir to David’s throne will be a banner of salvation to all the world. The nations will rally to him, and the land where he lives will be a glorious place. – Isaiah 11:10

Then God will establish one of David’s descendants as king. He will rule with mercy and truth. He will always do what is just and be eager to do what is right. – Isaiah 16:5

I will give him the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them. – Isaiah 22:22

The prophecies of Isaiah gave the people of Israel hope; it gave them an expectation of what was to come. No matter what was happening in the present, they could look with eagerness towards the coming of the Messiah — the One who would bring salvation, rule with mercy and truth, and reign with justice and righteousness.

ISAIAH PROPHESIED THAT THE MESSIAH WOULD COME FROM DAVID’S FAMILY.

David was the first king of Israel and it was his son, Solomon, who built the Temple in Jerusalem, which became known as the City of David. Most of the songs or psalms in the Bible were written by David, words we continue to use today to sing praises to our God. As the people waited in eager expectation of the coming Messiah, this “clue” from Isaiah was the one that kept them focused on the lineage of the shepherd boy turned king.

There was a reason why Matthew started his gospel with the paternal genealogy of Jesus, and Luke included the maternal genealogy. The prophet Isaiah had prophesied that the Messiah would come from David’s family, so it was of great significance that Jesus was born into the lineage of David — both on his mother’s side and on his father’s.

JESUS WAS RECOGNIZED OFTEN AS THE SON OF DAVID.

The angel referred to Joseph as the son of David when he told him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:20). Two blind men followed after Jesus shouting “Son of David, have mercy on us!” (Matthew 9:27). A crowd was amazed when Jesus healed a demon-possessed man who had been blind and couldn’t speak. They asked, “Could it be that Jesus is the Son of David, the Messiah?” (Matthew 12:23).

A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.” – Matthew 15:20

Two blind men were sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was coming that way, they began shouting, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” “Be quiet!” the crowd yelled at them. But they only shouted louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” – Matthew 20:30-31

Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise God in highest heaven!” – Matthew 21:9

The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.” But the leaders were indignant. – Matthew 21:15

“What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They replied, “He is the son of David.” – Matthew 22:42

DO I TRULY RECOGNIZE WHO JESUS IS IN MY LIFE?

So many people recognized who Jesus was — that he was the one they had been waiting for, the one who would bring salvation. The question for us is whether or not we truly recognize who Jesus is. We are surrounded by those who deny His supremacy. We are bombarded with arguments that he was just a good man. Many see the bible as simply a history book with no authority for how we live our lives today. But who do you believe him to be? Are you allowing this Son of David to be the Lord of your life?

Lord Jesus, as we focus on the story of your birth, we want to start by acknowledging where you came from and the reason you came. Help us to recognize you as clearly as the blind man did; may we acknowledge your power like the demon-possessed man did. Give us eyes to see you at work in our lives today and ignite the hope within us as we eagerly await your return. Amen.

And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:12-13

Today’s Reading: Jeremiah 29; Lamentations 3; Psalm 130

This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” – Jeremiah 29:10-14

While God’s people were in exile, God sent these words of promise through the prophet Jeremiah, words that remain popular among Christians today. They serve as a reminder that God is planning for our future. Our current season may be difficult, but call on God through the hard times. Come and pray to Him, and He will listen to you; seek Him with all your heart, and you will find Him.

But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me. – Micah 7:7

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.
Israel, put your hope in the Lord,
for with the Lord is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption. – Psalm 130:5-7

WAIT FOR THE LORD.

To hope is to believe in a possibility. It includes an expectation that a desired outcome will become a reality some day. There is an element of confidence that something can be achieved — faith that God will do what He said He would do. Hope dares to believe that nothing is impossible for God; therefore, all of His promises will come true. So in the meantime, we wait. We posture ourselves in patience, although eager for what is ahead. We allow the hard times to teach us; we allow the struggles to strengthen our faith.

I remember my affliction and my wandering,
the bitterness and the gall.
I well remember them,
and my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord. – Lamentations 3:19-26

I WILL PATIENTLY WAIT FOR HIM.

We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:22-25

Lord, in you we place our hope; in you we place our trust. We eagerly await all that you have for us, while patiently waiting for your perfect timing. As we wait, we ask for hope to grow in our hearts and for faith to strengthen our resolve. As we seek you, may we find you; as we cry out to you, we wait for you to answer our prayers. We believe that nothing is impossible for you because you are able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Replace our sorrow with joy, our anxiety with peace, and our bitterness with love as we wait patiently on you. Amen.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. – Romans 12:12