Nov/Dec 2012

Great Joy
and Light

Also: Squinting
Friends:

I recall driving my car in a blizzard,

being unable to see. The blowing snow
in my headlights created a glaring
whiteout, while off to the sides was
only blackness. All the landmarks and
signposts had disappeared into the
snow. I was probably driving too fast,
especially because I couldn’t really see the
roadway—the road, shoulder, and ditch
were all just a blur of white. But I could see the taillights of the
car ahead of me. If I squinted, I could follow those lights at a safe
distance.

In November, we explore spiritual squinting. Sometimes it’s

hard to see God, or to know up from down. Sometimes we feel
dangerously lost. How can we find our way? Is squinting for God
a mistake? Or evidence that we’re not doing it right? We long for
God in the gloom, which is a good theme for beginning Advent.
Come, Lord Jesus!

In December, we celebrate glad tidings of great joy and light.

The coming of Christ is good news indeed, and it will not leave
us unchanged. How will these tidings change you once you
have seen light in the darkness?

May you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!

—Steven Koster
 Today
Nov/Dec 2012

refresh, refocus, renew

TODAY (USPS 185-140),

Volume 62, Number 6,
published bimonthly by
ReFrame Media, a division
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additional mailing offices.
“Squinting”
Postmaster: Send address
Ron Vanderwell changes to Today, 6555 W.
College Dr., Palos Heights, IL
60463.
Copyright © 2012, Back to
God Ministries International.
Printed in U.S.A.
Unless otherwise noted,
Scripture quotations in this
publication are from The
Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV®. Copyright
© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011
“Great Joy and Light”
by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by
Morris Greidanus permission. All rights reserved
worldwide
Cover photo by SuperStock.
Managing Editor: Eleanor Lamsma
Executive Editor: Steven Koster
this month
SQUINTING
Ron Vanderwell

Though we may not like to admit it, most Christians struggle with
faith. For example, what does it mean to have faith? How do we get,
or find, faith in God and in the Savior, Jesus Christ? How do we know
it’s real? How do we live by it? How do we share it?
In our devotions for November, Ron Vanderwell explores these ques-
tions and more, often with helpful illustrations and practical ideas on
trusting God and learning to follow his way in this world. Most of the
time our pathway in life can be uncertain, and it can be hard to see the
road ahead, as if we’re wandering in fog. But in faith, and with God’s
help, we can squint in the fog and see the Lord working, calling us and
guiding us to work with him on what he wants to do next.

Ron Vanderwell recently became the senior pastor of New Life Church
in New Lenox, Illinois. He has been a pastor for 22 years, serving as a
church planter for the previous 12 years at The Gathering in Sacramento,
California, and before that as a pastor in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Ron and his
wife, Deb, have three sons: John, Adam, and Jake. Ron shares more of his
reflections on “squinting” for God in his blog at www.squintforgod.com.
Romans 1:16-23 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1

THOUGHTS ABOUT FAITH

As it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
 —Romans 1:17

How do you feel about faith? descendants and ultimately in

Jesus, who became the Savior
Many people think faith may
from sin. But many people
be a helpful protection in case
turned away from God and put
they need it—like a spare tire
their faith only in things they
for their car. Many turn to faith
could see, like the moon and
when facing struggles, but then
stars, or idols that they made.
turn back to something more
“reliable” when a crisis passes. For thousands of years faith
was common in human his-
In the beginning it may have
tory, until the Age of Reason
been easier to have faith in
(Enlightenment) swept through
God. Adam and Eve spent time
Europe in the 18th century.
in person with God, and they
Then many people figured they
could ask him anything. But
could be faithless. In the name
when they disobeyed God and
of science and logic, modern
fell into sin, everything changed.
thinkers stopped believing in
(See Genesis 2-3.) They lost
anything they could not see. So
their full relationship with God
having faith became harder.
and became stuck in their own
sin. Then they could only catch Do you have faith? Would you
glimpses of God’s presence and like to learn more about what
his work in this world as if by faith really is?
squinting with blurred vision or
in cloudy darkness. They need- Lord, please help us to
ed God to reveal himself—and under­
stand faith and to
he often did that in the follow- know you. Amen.
ing ages—to Abraham and his
Mark 9:14-29 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2

IS FAITH A VERB?
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me
overcome my unbelief!” —Mark 9:24

We can easily misunderstand That kind of faith can be a lot

faith. Sometimes we make it of work. Just talk to the woman
all about us, as if it were some- who has learned to lower her
thing that we have to do. hopes for God’s blessings be-
cause she knows she doesn’t
Imagine if you had an exercise
real­ly deserve his care. Or talk
bike hooked up to a generator
to the man who has come to
to keep the lights on in your
see himself as a second-class
home. The system would work
be­liever because of some mis-
fine as long as you continued to
takes he’s made over the years.
pedal. But as you got tired, the
Both of these people mistaken-
lights would gradually dim and
ly ­assume that if they don’t ex-
then shut off, leaving you stuck
ercise their faith hard enough,
in the dark.
God will not keep on blessing
Many people look at faith in them. And they grow afraid,
much the same way. Some­ knowing they can’t.
where they got the idea that our
Fortunately, that’s not how the
faith is like an exercise we have
Bible presents faith.
to keep up in order to get the
lights of heaven to shine on us.
They worry that if we were to
grow tired and slow down, the Lord God, I can so easily
lights of heaven would begin to make my faith all about
dim on us. However, if we can me. Please turn my strug-
somehow keep “faith-ing” hard gling eyes toward you. In
enough, God will still provide
your name, Amen.
what we need from him.
Hebrews 11:1-3 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3

SEEING WHAT WAS THERE ALL ALONG

Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what
we do not see. —Hebrews 11:1

Faith is not something we have it changes our visibility of those

to do to cause God to bless us. landmarks.
In Hebrews 11 we find a dif-
With faith, the situation is simi-
ferent perspective. Faith is pre-
lar: we have assurance of God’s
sented not as an effort but as
trustworthiness that was there
an “assurance about what we
all along.
do not see.” Through “eyes of
faith” we can see something There are days when God’s
that was already there, whether work can be clearly seen in our
we’d noticed it or not. lives. But other days may not be
like that at all. A fog of doubt or
I used to live near the coast
a haze of shame may creep in,
of northern California, where
and suddenly all the clear spiri-
there is a lot of fog. When that
tual realities we have enjoyed
happens, things seem to change
can seem to vanish.
quickly. San Francisco can sud-
denly vanish: drivers crossing Having faith is often like squint-
the Golden Gate Bridge may ing into fog. But that doesn’t
start off with no visible proof mean the realities and trustwor-
that the other half of the bridge thiness of God are not there.
even exists. But people who
live in this area have learned What can you see?
not to panic simply because
they cannot see the whole God, we often can’t see
bridge. People know the bridge you at work. Please help
is still there; it’s just hidden. Fog us see by faith what is not
doesn’t change our landmarks; visible to us. Amen.
Romans 1:8-17 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4

THE IMPORTANCE OF SQUINTING

In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteous-
ness that is by faith from first to last. . . . —Romans 1:17

I sometimes wish that God It takes a special kind of courage

would be more obvious in my to drive across a bridge when
life. I get tired of squinting for you can’t see the other side. It
him: frankly, I’d much rather takes a similar kind of courage
notice him than have to squint to continue loving a difficult
and stretch to try to find him in spouse or child, or to continue
the haze of life. resisting chronic temptation
on those days when the effort
That’s why most of us would
might not seem worthwhile.
really prefer to avoid faith if
we could. But in Romans the Let’s face it: there are days
apostle Paul reminds us that when it can be hard to see why
our gospel (good news) is based things like that are so important.
on faith “from first to last.” That
That’s when it’s time to squint.
can sound a bit unsettling for
anyone who might hope there’s
a way around having to rely on
faith.
Lord, sometimes we wish
The more I explore the life of you would be more obvi-
faith, the more I discover that ous. That would save us
squinting plays a central role in from having to look so
it. Squinting requires a choice hard to find you. Please
on my part, instead of waiting draw us closer to you,
until I notice God. Squinting re- even when we can’t see
quires focusing my eyes in order where you are leading us.
to penetrate the impenetrable.
Amen.
Matthew 11:1-6 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5

WHY GOD LIKES FAITH

John . . . sent his disciples to ask [Jesus], “Are you the one
who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
 —Matthew 11:2-3

God seems to enjoy playing troubling results—look what

hard-to-get. Instead of mak- happened to Adam and Eve!
ing his presence obvious to his But you can’t have a relation-
people, God seems to prefer ship without some freedom
working behind the scenes in of will. If I forced someone
ordinary events, yielding only into my car, I wouldn’t have
occasional hints of his glory. a companion—I’d have a hos-
tage. And as much as God ab-
Over the centuries God’s hide-
hors the disastrous choices his
and-seek game has made for
people have made, his deepest
some challenges for people
desire is to call us friends (see
who believed in him. Think of
John 15:15).
the Israelites’ difficulty in fol-
lowing their invisible God. Or This is why it takes some squint-
think of the New Testament ing to find God. While he some-
heroes of faith. In today’s verses times miraculously calms our
John the Baptist asks his follow- storms, he more often hints his
ers to check with Jesus: Is he presence to us—just enough to
­really the one God promised to make us squint and see that he’s
send? Sometimes I think that if really there. If we seek, we’re
God were a lot more obvious, told, we will find. Have you
he could expect us to be a lot seen him lately?
more “faith-full.”
Lord, help us to seek you,
And yet—is that true? One of for we know we will find
God’s biggest decisions was to you and you will calm our
allow us to make our own de-
anxious spirits. Amen.
cisions. Granted, this can have
Hebrews 11:1-6 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

LEARNING TO SQUINT
Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who
comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards
those who earnestly seek him. —Hebrews 11:6

Following God often means I’d like God to be just co-depen-

squinting to find him. But learn- dent enough to save me from
ing to squint involves being will- having to squint for him. After
ing to squint, and sometimes all, it’s hard to see my way in
that can be the hardest part. the fog. It would be nice just to
After all, if God didn’t play so be able to throw up my hands
hard-to-get, he wouldn’t seem, when the doubts or frustrations
well, so hard-to-get! start to build.
What we want is a co-depen- In freeway fog, drivers who quit
dent God. The term co-depen- squinting will inevitably crash.
dent is used to describe some- The same is true of our search
one who takes responsibility for God. Hebrews 11 reminds
for things that someone else us that God “rewards those
should really do on their own. who earnestly seek him.” If I
Sometimes people instinctively am to grow in my experience
seek out others who are willing of God, I need to be willing to
to help them hide their dys- keep squinting and straining to
functions: to cover their drink- look ahead.
ing or pay their credit card bills
or soothe the hurt feelings in
the wake of their temper tan-
trums. At one level, it makes Lord, forgive us when we
sense: who needs to grow up want to follow you on our
when friends will cover your own terms. Help us to
immaturity? look to you to lead and
guide us. Amen.
2 Corinthians 5:6-10 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

WANTING TO SQUINT
We live by faith, not by sight.
 —2 Corinthians 5:7

If faith requires squinting for f­amiliar words of Psalm 23

God into the fog of life, how were set against the backdrop
exactly does God lead some- of ene­mies and “the valley of
one to squint? the shadow of death.”
The answer is simple: God Are you willing to let God help
makes us need to squint. you learn to squint?
More precisely, God sometimes Before answering that question,
leads us into situations in which make sure you realize what you
our need for faith can become are committing to.
very obvious.
We generally don’t squint for
God lays out a carefully de- God until we need to. (See
signed plan intended to help us Jere­miah 29:13; Matthew 7:7;
sharpen our ability to spot his 1 John 5:14.)
presence in the dense fog that
can come up in life.
Most of the time, these expe-
riences seem like problems.
Whether we like it or not, the Lord, we’re discovering
comfortable, relaxed times in that we need to find you
our lives don’t usually change even more than we need
us on a very deep level. to avoid suffering or other
Most of the psalms, for instance, difficulties. Please draw us
were not written in a setting to you. We pray in your
of comfort and ease. Even the name. Amen.
Psalm 62 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8

CRISIS FAITH
Surely they intend to topple me. . . . Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him. —Psalm 62:4-5

Faith can seem vague and theo- reason for confidence. At least
retical—until a crisis hits. that’s how it can seem.
Then, like the spare tire in your No one likes crises, but it’s not
trunk when you have a flat, hard to see how God can use
your faith suddenly becomes our crises to reach us in ways
very important. In fact, it may that he might not reach us
be the only way out of the mess other­wise. Most of us pray dif-
you’re in. ferently—more earnestly—in
times of crisis. Our fear can
In the middle of a crisis, all we
prod us to squint for God
usually hope for is some way to
through the fog of our uncer-
get the situation straightened
tainty. And the more we squint,
out so that we can move on.
the more we begin to see God.
No one likes to need faith.
How has God used crises in
As with the little spare tire that
your life to deepen your aware-
comes with most cars today
ness of his presence?
(you know, the little “donut”
spare that’s designed to go just
a few miles), most of us are
willing to rely on our faith for
a little while, only as long as we
Lord God, when crises hit,
need it. But just as you’ll want
help us to turn to you. But
to get a real tire back on your
also help us turn to you
car as soon as you can, so also
most of us want to move past every day of our lives. In
our faith reliance and find a real your name, Amen.
John 15:1-8 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9

CONNECTING IN A CRISIS
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I
in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do noth-
ing.  —John 15:5

Crises can be tough. In the Is that really so bad? Obviously,

fog of a crisis it can be hard to suffering is painful. But Jesus’
see anything good that God point in John 15 is that the
might be doing. Whether your only way we can thrive in life
finances are at risk through a is by being naturally connected
job loss, or you have a relation- to him, like branches to a vine.
ship that’s threatening to im- That means our lives will be far
plode, or you’re experiencing richer connected to him in a cri-
some other devastating event, sis than if we are drifting off on
it’s heart-breaking to see your our own.
world turned upside down.
The point is not that crises aren’t
Eventually you wonder wheth-
bad; it’s that being connected to
er God might be punishing you
Jesus Christ is good. Sometimes
for something.
God uses the blinding fog of a
But the fact is, we often seek crisis to help us find him.
to connect with God in our
Has he ever done that with
crises in ways that we wouldn’t
you?
ordinarily consider. One rumor
of lay-offs or one unexplained
result on a medical test can
change everything. Suddenly Lord, you know what we
life isn’t about you anymore, it’s really need in order to
about God. A major crisis can thrive. Please connect us
persuade us to negotiate any- deeply to you, no mat-
thing with God. ter what that may take. In
your name, Amen.
1 Peter 1:3-9 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10

GOOD THINGS DURING BAD TIMES

All kinds of trials . . . have come so that the proven genuineness
of your faith . . . may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus
Christ is revealed. —1 Peter 1:6-7

Why might God want to use us discover a kind of peace that

a crisis in our lives? We natu- can be richer than we would
rally consider crises to be bad, ever have imagined our happi-
but God often does some very ness could be.
good things through these bad
And through it all we get some
experiences. There are things
good practice at sniffing out
that God teach in a crisis that
God’s presence in the middle of
are much harder for us to learn
a situation that often just stinks.
at other times.
When we resist this kind of
For instance, in a crisis we be- faith, we miss the point entirely.
gin to discover just how little When we cooperate with God,
control we really have over our we can begin to discover a rich-
lives. Humbled, we being to ness that lasts long after the cri-
pray more sincerely and wor- sis has passed.
ship more deeply.
What kinds of blessings has
We may also begin to realize God brought to you during a
what really matters most to us. crisis in your life?
Our crisis experiences usually
leave us more appreciative of
people and less obsessed with
possessions.
Crises have a way of making us
very unhappy—which isn’t all Lord, please use our suf-
bad, either. As our happiness ferings to lead us closer to
is stripped away, God can help you. Amen.
James 1:2-5 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11

DIRECTIONAL FAITH
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
­generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
 —James 1:5

God has a way of changing us Why is it so difficult to deter-

deeply through various crisis mine God’s direction for our
points in our lives. lives? Sometimes it’s simply be-
cause we forget to ask. It’s sur-
But what happens when God
prisingly easy to charge into the
strings together a long series of
events of a day without bother-
crisis points? Eventually the trail
ing to ask God what he wants
of change-points will lead some-
from us that day. Sometimes
where, like stepping-stones
that can prompt God to allow
crossing a river. As we realize
a minor crisis to pop up as a
this, our collection of snapshot
wake-up call to pull our atten-
crises starts to become a movie
tion back to him.
with a story line.
When was the last time you
But how does one tell where
asked God to show you his
the story is supposed to be go-
plans for your day?
ing? That’s not easy. God as-
sures us that he has plans for How about asking him right
our lives, but it can be hard to now?
tell where those plans might
lead. Sometimes it would be God, you have promised
nice to have a burning-bush that your plan for our lives
episode like Moses had—some- is good, but sometimes
thing concrete you could see that’s hard to believe. Help
through the fog of life’s busy- us surrender our plans
ness (see Exodus 3). for your review. In Jesus’
name, Amen.
James 4:1-3 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12

ASKING FOR GUIDANCE

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong
motives. . . .” —James 4:3

It shouldn’t be difficult to ask Speaking personally, I know

for God’s guidance, should it? that some of my requests come
The Bible tells us we simply from a desire to see God’s work
have to ask. And yet it’s amaz- grow in my life. But often I
ing how often we end up feel- may ask for those same things
ing lost in the fog as we search because I want to look good
for God’s direction. or I want to avoid some of the
challenging faith-building expe-
James explains that not every
riences he can put before me.
prayer gets the same response
from God. Sometimes we might All too often our requests are
ask and not receive because we motivated by things like pride
ask with wrong motives. After or revenge. For example, may-
all, how can we expect God to be you want your sister to see
grant our requests if our mo- that you can be successful, or
tives are sinful? maybe you want to show your
ex-spouse that you can still
For example, it would be fool-
have a life.
ish to ask for God’s help in rob-
bing a bank. But if our motives Why are you asking what you
are wrong, they’re usually a lot are asking of God?
more subtle than that.
James’s warning about asking
“with wrong motives” raises an Lord, help us to ask for the
important question. When we things you long to give to
pray, we need to ask, “Just why us. We pray this in your
am I making these requests?” name. Amen.
James 1:5-8 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

FINDING GOD’S DIRECTION

When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one
who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the
wind. —James 1:6

As a child I often played a game just plain backwards. We’re not

with friends in which one player really asking God to guide us;
would be trying to find some- we’re asking God to let us guide
one or something. The rest of us him. Instead of looking to serve
would try to guide the “seeker” God, we’re really trying to get
by saying how “warm” or “cold” him to serve us.
they were getting. The closer
James warns against this role re-
they got to the target, the “warm-
versal. When we ask for God’s
er” they would be; but when
guidance, we must have his
they started to stray in the wrong
goals in mind, not ours. And
direction, we’d warn them that
we must ask and believe that
they were getting “colder.”
God will answer. We must steer
Sometimes we try to play that straight to avoid being tossed
game with God. We pray for about by the wind.
guidance, but what we really
When you ask God to guide
want is God’s support for some-
you, are you looking in his
thing we already have in mind.
­direction?
When it seems God is helping
us toward our desired outcome,
we cheer him on: “Warmer . . .
warmer!” But when it seems he
is veering away from the goal
we want, we warn, “Colder . . . God, what we need is for
COLDER!” you to lead us. Please help
us to get that straight. We
When it comes to praying for pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
guidance, prayers like that are
Romans 8:26-30 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14

ASKING BETTER
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who
love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 
 —Romans 8:28

God says the motives behind have a lot of trouble even men-
our prayers are important. So, tioning the other options to
what does it take to ask with God. I’d rather make one sim-
better motives? ple demand: God, I need this!
Traditionally, many Christians In situations like that, I’m prob-
have found that a good “motive ably showing that I need help
check” is to see if we can pray with my heart even more than
openly in any of the possible with my circumstances.
directions in which God might
Generally what I need is for
lead.
God to reassure me of his good-
For example, if you are a stu- ness, reminding me that he will
dent, you might pray that God give me what I would ask for if
will help you get a good grade I knew what he knew.
on a project, but you might pray
I can’t ask for more than that,
also that he helps you grow as a
right?
student if your score is low.
Or, if you are married and your
relationship is not going well,
you might pray that your mar-
riage will revive, but you might Lord, it’s a lot easier to ask
also ask for the grace to be for your help than to ask
Christlike to your spouse if the for your will. Please open
struggles continue. my mind to pray for your
best plans for me. In your
I’ve generally found that when name, Amen.
my motives are selfish, I often
Psalm 1 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15

SUSTAINING FAITH
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water. . . .
 —Psalm 1:3

God often grows our faith amid Yet there were many places in
crises. Through the crises of life the community that were vi-
he can help us see his direction brant and green, with tall shade
through the fog. As we grow in trees and lush lawns. The se-
directional faith, we begin to cret: those places had an un-
discover how abundantly God derground water supply. Many
wants to bless us. Eventually we trees, for example, grew natu-
begin to suspect that we often rally along rivers where they
ask not too much of God, but could siphon water directly
too little. from a stream. And in more re-
cent years, underground sprin-
Psalm 1 demonstrates this idea
kling systems made landscaping
using the image of a tree flour-
possible. (It’s the only way I had
ishing by streams of water.
a green yard.)
Where I grew up, rain was a
Psalm 1 assures us God wants
common occurrence. While
to sustain us in a way like that,
it wouldn’t rain every day, we
if we will only let him. We can
generally had enough water
call this sustaining faith, and it’s
around to keep things green.
here that we really begin to see
When I moved to northern
God’s hand in our lives.
California, I learned there was
usually no rain for about nine God, guide us to the nour-
months of the year. Once the ishment we need from
winter rains stopped, any va- you. Satisfy us with what
cant lots quickly turned brown
you know we need. In
and stayed that way for months.
Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 1 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 16

IN SEARCH OF COMFORT
Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of
­mockers. —Psalm 1:1

According to the Bible, God drought. You’ll still find yourself

wants to keep us richly sus- parched.
tained even in the harshest
Try this test: think back to a re-
conditions, like trees planted by
cent hard day in your life and
streams of water.
how you responded to the
So what does it take to be sus- stress. Could an atheist have
tained by God like those trees? used the same coping strate-
To begin with, Psalm 1 explains gies as you did? If so, it prob-
that there are plenty of things ably wasn’t your faith connec-
that won’t sustain us. The psalm- tion with God that sustained
ist refers to these as the ways of you through that day. On the
the wicked, the sinners, and the other hand, if the comforts you
mockers. turned to all eventually traced
back to the God whom you
Sometimes we are tempted to
knew had given them to you,
turn to sinful alternatives to sus-
then your faith relationship
tain us. Giving in to our closet
with God was probably a big
temptations or addictions is ob-
part of how you dealt with that
viously wrong. But other times
difficult day.
our alternative sources aren’t
necessarily wrong, they’re just
insufficient. It may be good to Heavenly Father, during
pour yourself into your career times of hardship, sustain
or your education or even the us with your living waters.
health of your family, but none Help us to trust fully in
of those things are sufficient you. Amen.
to sustain you during times of
Psalm 1 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 17

WHAT DOES SUSTAIN US

Blessed is the one . . . whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and
who meditates on his law day and night. —Psalm 1:1-2

Psalm 1 doesn’t simply warn us In John 4 Jesus surprised a

of the things that will leave us woman by offering her a per-
dry; it points us toward the hid- manent supply of living water.
den waters for which we thirst. You and I need that water just
It points toward finding our de- as badly as she did. Psalm 1
light “in the law of the Lord.” challenges me to be clear on
just where I’m looking to pro-
As a child, I always found
vide what I’ll need.
this verse puzzling. From my
Christian training I knew of the When the drought of a reces-
many strange law requirements sion threatens to dry up my
found in the Old Testament world, or when the drain of
books like Leviticus. I couldn’t serving others begins to wither
imagine anything more frustrat- me—where will I turn?
ing than trying to meditate on
There’s only one good way to
all those regulations, much less
answer that question, and it’s
finding any decent source of life
God.
from them.
What I missed was this: in the
Bible, living by “the law of
the Lord” means living God’s
way, or in line with God’s will. Lord, we know where
Delighting in God’s law means we should turn when we
embracing God’s way as good, face droughts in our lives.
and drawing from it everything Give us a desire for you. In
we need in order to thrive. Jesus’ name, Amen.
Psalm 1 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18

THE NEED FOR FOG

That person is like a tree . . . whose leaf does not wither. . . .
 —Psalm 1:3

In theory, Psalm 1 shouldn’t vive. The coastal redwoods in

have to be in the Bible. The un- California thrive in environ-
satisfying things it warns against ments with very little rain but
are all so . . . unsatisfying! Who regular times of dense fog.
would want to rely on some- When fog hits, water drips off
thing unreliable? And God’s the tree needles, which point
promises are so rich and deep down to the ground. If the fog
and lasting, like underground stopped coming, those majestic
rivers. Choosing to rely on God trees would have a hard time.
should be a no-brainer for peo- The cold mist of the coastal fog
ple like us—right? is necessary for them to thrive.
And yet it’s not. Psalm 1 is bad- In our lives, we need to stay
ly needed. I know that when constantly connected to God
the fog of busyness or stress in order to thrive. Rooted
creeps in, I can suddenly find in the Lord, we will flourish.
myself surprised and confused Challenges and confusion may
about where I need to turn to come, and we need to stay in
get what I need. That leaves me touch with God, but we can
open to distractions and temp- trust that he will continue to
tations. provide for and guide us also.
But why the fog? If life weren’t Lord, you know what kind
so foggy, God wouldn’t be so of weather we need to
hard to find, right? thrive. Schedule the fore-
Interestingly, there are trees cast we need. We pray this
that require fog in order to sur- in your name. Amen.
John 3:1-8 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 19

SAVING FAITH
A Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus . . . came to Jesus at
night. . . .  —John 3:1-2

God has a way of using the fog- One night a Pharisee came to
giness of daily life to lead us to see Jesus. Though he may not
surrender more fully to him. He have realized it at the time, he
often connects with us through was being drawn toward his
our need for faith when a crisis tipping point. Nicodemus met
hits, and he leads us through our with Jesus secretly because he
need for direction. Along the was uneasy about connect-
way we simply need to be sus- ing with Jesus in a more pub-
tained, which requires yet anoth- lic way. But Jesus still listened
er step of faith toward him. Each and reached out to him, saying
step of faith involves a kind of he needed to be saved—to be
mini-surrender, leading us closer born again.
to the God we can sometimes
Nicodemus squinted at Jesus
barely see through our fog.
through the shadows of that
At some point along this path of nighttime encounter. He just
surrender our mini-surrenders couldn’t see the truth at that
add up to one big mega-surren- time. But eventually he would.
der. We reach a tipping point (See John 7:50-51; 19:38-39.)
where we not only surrender
part of our life; we totally surren-
der our life to God’s direction. Lord, sometimes we are
blind to your will in our
We realize that, fog or not, there lives. Open our eyes to
are things in life that we just what we might other-
can’t fix or control. wise never choose to see.
We realize we need to be saved. Amen.
Acts 16:16-34 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 20

“I’M GOOD!”
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
 —Acts 16:30

“I’m good.” We use this expres- the Lord Jesus—and he be-

sion a lot these days. lieved.
I trip over a curb. Someone asks Something happens when you
if I need help. “No, thanks,” I discover that you can’t make
reply, limping away; “I’m good.” your life “good.” Whether in a
I may be a little bruised, but I’m jailer’s crisis or in slow motion
OK enough to walk and keep over time, it eventually brings a
going. total surrender to the One who
really can make things good.
The jailer in today’s story was in
a real dilemma. An earthquake There will come a day when
had set his prisoners free, and he every stumble I’ve ever made
knew that it would be his life or will be available for public dis-
theirs. (In those days, jailers were play. I wonder how long that list
usually killed if their prisoners will be. But just when everyone
escaped.) This was certainly looks, Someone else will hold
not an “I’m good” moment. So up nail-scarred hands on my
he asked Paul and Silas, “What behalf—and he’ll say, “It’s OK;
must I do to be saved?” he’s good.”
Was this a theology question—
now? In this crisis, was the jailer
Lord, we’re not good. But
calling a “time-out” to talk about you are. Your nail-scarred
faith? Though he was probably hands and death on the
more concerned about avoid- cross finished the work
ing a death sentence, the jailer needed for our salvation.
heard from Paul and Silas about Thank you! Amen.
Acts 16:29-34 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21

NOT QUITE SAVED?

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved. . . .”
 —Acts 16:31

The fact that you’re reading If you let God lead you along
these devotions suggests that a series of surrenders, you’re
you probably have some idea eventually going reach a “tip-
of what it means to be saved. ping point” where something
inside you realizes that you
Saved is a familiar word, and yet
simply need to hand everything
it can mean different things to
over to the God who’s been
people in different places along
guiding you through the fog.
the journey of faith.
You can tell this has happened
For some, it can mean going
when you start worrying less
back to church.
about getting God’s help for
For others, it may mean what you want and instead start
agree­
ing with certain ideas in to wonder what he really wants
Christianity. for you. Instead of wanting God
to find your way, you’re seeking
For yet others, being saved may his way.
mean being willing to feel guilty
over sins they used to take Have you been saved like that?
pride in.
As God leads us, each faith-
growing experience inevitably Lord, it’s easy for us to fol-
involves some kind of minor low you without surren-
surrender—as when you face a
dering to you. Please claim
crisis and seek direction, look-
us for yourself. We ask this
ing to God to sustain you along
the way.
in your name. Amen.
Ephesians 2:1-10 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 22

FORMS OF SURRENDER
Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it
is by grace you have been saved. —Ephesians 2:4-5

A person’s surrender into saving us. He would save people and

faith may happen in a number then grow them and then even-
of ways. tually start to use them.
For some, it can hit like a tsuna- I can now see that it’s not always
mi as they hear an altar call and that simple. I know people who
are swept down the aisle into a have believed in God for years,
whole new life. Resistance sud- serving him faithfully while still
denly cracks, or a thick layer of refusing to pray the sinner’s
numbness begins to part, and prayer until a much later point
for the first time they can see in their story.
far enough into the fog to dis-
Where in your story did (or
cover what they really need.
will) this happen to you?
For others, the sense of surren-
der may seep in slowly through
the fabric of a lifetime of
churchgoing until the stuff that’s
collected deep inside begins to
spill all over the stuff worn on
the outside. After years of doing
the right things, a person is sud- Lord, thank you for draw-
denly surprised to find that go- ing us to the death that
ing through the motions has led brings us life. Bring us to
to a sudden rush of emotions. the point of total surren-
I used to think God was pretty der to you. In Jesus’ name,
orderly in his way of growing Amen.
Hebrews 10:19-25 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23

FINDING THE FAMILIAR IN THE FOG

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and
good deeds, not giving up meeting together . . . but encouraging
one another. . . . —Hebrews 10:24-25

Fog can make it hard to identify That’s why spiritual disciplines

the landmarks around us. But can be so important for our
there is something that can real­ faith. Habits such as prayer,
ly help: familiarity. Bible reading, serving, meet-
ing together for worship, and
When I lived in Sacramento and
more can help us become fa-
encountered fog on the free-
miliar with the spiritual territory
way near my house, I rarely had
through which we’ll someday
trouble finding the exit where I
need to travel in the fog.
got off to go home. That’s be-
cause the area was familiar to Struggling for God through the
me. But if I were to find myself fog of life can seem like a lot of
shrouded in the same kind of work. But then—so does feeling
fog in another town, I might lost.
have had a lot of trouble getting
God is out there in your fog.
where I needed to go.
Keep squinting.
Something similar happens in
the spiritual fog that can sur-
round our lives. When clouds
of doubt or shame or weariness
threaten to blind us to God’s love
for us, it can be easier to find our Lord, help us as we seek
way back to God’s peace and you. May we develop
guidance if it’s not the first time healthy spiritual habits so
we’ve tried to find him. that we become familiar
with you. Amen.
Daniel 6:6-16 SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 24

HABITS OF FAITH
When Daniel learned that the decree had been published . . . he
got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just
as he had done before. —Daniel 6:10

Spiritual disciplines can be an oped a daily pattern of center-

important part of our finding ing ourselves in him. It’s easier
God through the fog of our to release our worries to God
lives. That’s what helped sustain at the end of a tough day if
Daniel in his faith. we’ve learned to release every
other day to him in an evening
A spiritual discipline is a habit
prayer. And it’s a lot less difficult
that people develop to deepen
to remain steadfast to God’s call
their relationship with God.
when you’ve been serving him
Personal devotions may com-
in a deliberate way for months
bine one or more disciplines
or years.
into a daily routine: prayer,
Bible reading, and perhaps When you encounter a sudden
meditation or journaling. Other fog bank in life, it can be almost
spiritual disciplines may include impossible to figure out how to
joining together for worship or find God in the midst of it all.
studying the Bible in a small Spiritual disciplines help to re-
group. Fasting can help us redis- orient us so we can find God’s
cover what really feeds us, and strength and peace, even in the
tithing can help us recall who thickest fog.
really pays our bills.
Spiritual disciplines help us to
practice finding God during God, help us to practice
times when the fog has cleared. finding you. May our day
It’s hard to find God in a mo- begin and end with you.
ment of panic, but it’s much Amen.
easier if we’ve already devel-
Matthew 5:1-10 SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25

LIVING LARGE
He began to teach them. . . . “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for
theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew 5:2-3

Sometimes we “squint” without Ecclesiastes helps me notice

even knowing it. Often, in fact. the false comforts I might be
fooled into trusting—money,
Probably even daily, we find
success, sensual pleasures. The
ourselves looking for ways to
Sermon on the Mount helps
deal with the frustrations of life.
me find what really satisfies.
We rummage around, mentally
Together they lead me away
looking for something to help
from my illusions into realities
a hard day feel better. Many of
I can trust. Pruned by the chal-
our most common temptations
lenge of Ecclesiastes, I can more
creep in at such times. Whether
easily let go of the worries, lusts,
we realize it or not, we’re shop-
and grudges that can seem so
ping for comforts.
urgent. And I can cling to the
If you want an interesting spiri- forgiveness and healing through
tual exercise, read the book of which God wants to make me
Ecclesiastes and the Sermon on whole.
the Mount (Matthew 5-7) to-
If it wasn’t for Ecclesiastes, we
gether. They fit like a matched
might settle for so little. If it
set. While Ecclesiastes walks
wasn’t for the Sermon on the
us through the false comforts
Mount, we might miss so much.
we might naturally turn to, the
Sermon on the Mount points
us toward the sources through Lord, we could settle for
which God intends to nourish so little. Teach us to want
us into real life. what only you can pro-
vide. Amen.
Psalm 145 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26

SHARING OUR FAITH

One generation commends your works to another. . . . They tell of
the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great
deeds. —Psalm 145:4-6

As we grow in faith, it’s only skeptical about having faith in

natural to want to share it with anything.
others. Most of us have at least
Ultimately we can’t force
several people in our lives with
someone to listen to our faith
whom we would love to share
stories. When people listen, it’s
God’s grace.
because God has been at work
That’s a normal response when in their hearts, moving them to
we experience something that a place in their life where they
makes our lives better. Think of are ready to start doing some
the last time you discovered a squinting of their own.
delightful new restaurant or a
That’s why it’s so important to
new TV show or an Internet
be praying about people with
video that made you laugh. It’s
whom we’d like to share our
a joy to share those discoveries
faith. In prayer, we can ask God
with others.
to work in people’s lives and to
Unfortunately, sharing the good help us be open to his prompt-
news of Jesus may not be so ing as to when and how to
easy. Even though it’s good share the good news that brings
news about being saved from new life.
sin and death, people resist the
idea that they need a Savior, Lord, as you lead us, draw
and some find it offensive to us into the saving work
be invited to talk about faith. you are doing in the lives
And with so many religions in of people all around us. In
the world, many people are your name, Amen.
1 Peter 3:13-18 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27

TWO WAYS TO SHARE OUR FAITH

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. —1 Peter 3:15

It’s normal for most Christians do,” you’re simply saying,

to want to share their faith. And “Here’s what helped me.”
I’ve learned that there are two
Most people find it less threat-
ways to do that: prescriptively
ening to hear you describe your
and descriptively.
own faith experience. Instead
Prescriptive sharing of faith in- of sounding like a salesperson,
volves offering advice about you’re more like a friend with
what people should do to deal a story. No one can argue with
with difficulties they may be your experience about how
having. This is similar to what a God is working in your life.
doctor does when writing a pre-
Do you know anyone who
scription for medication to help
might want to hear about how
with a problem. Prescriptive
God has worked in your life?
sharing usually sounds some-
Ask God to help you sense an
thing like “Here’s what you
opportunity to do so. Can you
should do about your situa-
share your story? Ask God to
tion.” It often results in a lot of
help you say the right words at
defensiveness because, frankly,
the right time.
most people don’t want to be
told what to do.
Lord, show us people who
Descriptive sharing of faith can need to hear what you are
often be more helpful. It in- doing in our lives, and help
volves telling someone what us to share honestly and
worked for you. Instead of say- with your love. We ask this
ing, “Here’s what you should
for your sake. Amen.
Lamentations 3:22-24 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28

SECOND-HAND FAITH
[God’s mercies] are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
 —Lamentations 3:23

Many people who are not yet like me to pray for you?” Most
Christians may have a hard time people are fairly open to being
imagining themselves accepting prayed for by someone else,
Christ. even if they haven’t prayed
much or aren’t sure what they
Maybe they have had some
believe about God or prayer.
bad experiences with Christians
in the past and can’t imagine Each situation of prayer and
themselves being one of “them.” conversation about God regis-
ters in a person’s mind as a little
Perhaps they carry hurts or
faith experience. Every time
shame and they can’t imagine
someone hears a good rumor
letting go of what happened a
of things God has done, or ev-
long time ago.
ery time God’s Word influences
In situations like that, it can be their own life story, they begin
helpful to provide someone to imagine what God might do
with chances to “borrow” your in their life. And that’s a step in
faith for a while to try it on. the right direction.
For instance, offering to pray for
someone can be a great way to
let people embrace your faith
without strings attached.
Lord, make our faith con-
You could say something like, tagious. And use us where
“When I’m feeling stressed, I you will to bring faith
find that prayer (just talking to to others, for your sake.
God) really helps. Would you Amen.
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29

WATCHING FAITH GROW

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it
grow. —1 Corinthians 3:6

If you’ve ever walked with found it helpful to listen for the

someone on their journey to “clicks.”
faith, you know how long it can I hear a “click” when someone
take. While some people have makes a comment about their
dramatic conversions as sudden spiritual experience or allows
as turning on a light bulb, most me to pray for them. I hear
do not. For most people it is a another when someone tells
gradual process. me they’ll come to worship on
Coming to faith often involves Sunday, even if it turns out that
progress toward a tipping point, they “couldn’t make it.” Each of
like on a seesaw. Have you ever these minor breakthroughs rep-
walked up on a seesaw? Picture resents another “click.”
one end of the seesaw repre- Most “clicks” are not dramatic,
senting a position apart from but as they happen, the person
Christ, and the other end rep- approaches a point where their
resenting firm belief in Christ. seesaw begins to tip the other
As you walk up from the end way. Then a quietly advancing
apart from Christ, you gradually process brings them from unbe-
reach a tipping point where you lief to faith. Whose next “click”
are leaning toward firm belief. are you praying for?
In this scenario, I imagine a spir- Lord, help us notice the
itually interested person need- ways you are working in
ing, say, ten ratcheting “clicks” the people around us. And
to get from the one position to
use us to help bring others
the other. Instead of pressuring
to faith. Amen.
someone to accept Christ, I’ve
Mark 4:35-41 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30

SQUINTING INTO THE STORM

“Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
 —Mark 4:40

Imagine Jesus’ disciples on the their families again. Little did

open water, rowing feverishly they know . . . .
to keep their boat afloat—no
Jesus’ followers had a lot to
small task when everything is
learn: the kinds of things they
pitching like a rodeo bull. Quite
could discover only in storms.
a night!
It’s one thing to tell a group of
Mark indicates that this trip fishermen about Christ’s ­power;
was Jesus’ idea in the first place. it’s another to show them. What
He’d suggested it; then he had seemed at first to be just a
curled up and gone to sleep. real­ly bad night was actually
Why would Jesus lead his dis- an opportunity to experience
ciples into a crisis like that? something about Christ that no
one could have explained with
This was no accident. While the
mere words.
disciples were following Jesus in
his teaching ministry, Jesus was Jesus led them into a storm so
a step ahead, preparing them that they could squint and see
for continuing his work later. him like never before.
They could not have imagined
What has the Lord shown you
Jesus’ death and resurrection
about himself in stormy times?
and ascension (Mark 15-16;
Acts 1), or the coming of his Lord, show us what you
Holy Spirit, who would lead want us to see, even if
them to bring the gospel across we too have to go into a
the Roman Empire (Acts 2-28). storm. Draw us closer to
No, at this point they just want-
you today. Amen.
ed to survive the storm and see
this month
Great Joy and Light
Morris Greidanus

As we enter the season of Advent and Christmas this year, let’s ponder
the joy and light we receive in Christ.
When we’re filled with joy, it’s virtually impossible not to share it with
others. We overflow with smiles and happiness and laughter, prompt-
ing us to celebrate and to bless others so that they may share our joy
and spread its infectious delight to even more people.
When we have a light that cannot be put out, it gives us confidence
and strength to penetrate blinding darkness, see the way we are going,
bring comfort and hope to others, and invite them to come along.
God’s gift of Jesus, the one and only Savior, fills us with great joy and
light as we aim to celebrate his coming, look ahead to his coming
again, and live by the law of love each day in this world that he came
to save. May God be praised in all we say and do, for Jesus’ sake!

Since 1964, Morris Greidanus has served churches in Alberta, Ontario,

and Michigan. He was campus pastor at the University of Toronto from
1968 to 1974. After retiring in 2002, he served on various interim tasks
in churches and educational institutions. Morris and his wife, Alice, enjoy
their bi-national family of three children and five grandchildren.
Luke 1:39-45 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 1

THE BABY LEAPED FOR JOY

“As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby
in my womb leaped for joy.”  —Luke 1:44

In our Western culture it seems being fulfilled after many cen-

that pregnancies are celebrated turies. The impact of this new
publicly and proudly. Young life brought great joy to many—
fathers-to-be declare, “We and we share that joy still today.
are pregnant!” Mothers-to- It offers new life and hope to
be proudly show their “baby a world of oppression, depres-
bump”—not just to family and sion, and recession.
friends, but even at work and to
A carol that we may sing this
strangers on the elevator.
season speaks of “tidings of
And everyone seems excited. comfort and joy.” Baby John
Why? Because a new life has was way ahead of us; he
begun; a baby is on the way! jumped for joy even before be-
ing born, for the Savior’s birth is
Tomorrow we begin the season
a word of joy and comfort for
of Advent, getting ready to cel-
people everywhere.
ebrate the birth of Jesus. This is
such a momentous event that, Let’s explore that joy together
as Luke tells us, the baby in this month!
Elizabeth’s womb jumped for
joy. That baby was John, who lat- Father in heaven, thank
er became John the Baptist and you for keeping your
prepared the way for Jesus’ min- promises and bringing the
istry when they became adults. joy of new life in Christ.
Even as their mothers were Wake us up, wherever we
pregnant with Jesus and John, need it, so that we may
the promise of new life was believe and rejoice. Amen.
2 Peter 3:1-10 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2

GOD’S PATIENCE
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise. . . . He is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish. . . . —2 Peter 3:9

The season of Advent begins to- Which would you rather have:
day. This is more than a time to a God that you and I can fig-
turn on Christmas lights, check ure out and who is in a hurry to
our gift list twice, and remem- punish? Or a God beyond our
ber the birth of Jesus. In this sea- understanding, but patient—­
son the church has traditionally patient enough to wait for me,
looked beyond the first coming and you, and for that person
of Jesus to his second coming you pray for each day, to repent
as well. The Bible offers many and receive his salvation?
sobering reminders of a coming
I like the way Peter describes
judgment on sin and injustice.
God. He says that time is dif-
When is Christ going to re- ferent for God, indicating that
turn? There have been many the Lord has all kinds of time
Christmases since the birth of to make sure no one misses
Jesus. And there have been their time to turn around and
many Advent seasons that be saved.
speak of his return. But why
doesn’t Christ return now?
“Show me your ways,
Does God not see the mess the
world is in? Why does he not
Lord, teach me your
end it all and make a new start paths. Guide me in your
with people who listen to him? truth and teach me, for
you are my God and
Peter has two answers. First, Savior, and my hope is in
God’s timing is beyond us. And, you all day long” (Psalm
second, God is patient. 25:4-5). Amen.
1Thessalonians 1 MONDAY, DECEMBER 3

WAITING FOR HIS SON

Wait for his Son from heaven . . . Jesus, who rescues us from the
coming wrath. —1 Thessalonians 1:10

The Greek believers who first Christmas!”—whatever we may

read this letter may have been mean by that. He comes to set
more eager for God’s judgment wrong things right, to comfort
than many of us are. They lived those who mourn, and to give
under severe persecution and hope to the weak who are
wanted God to come to deal trampled by the strong.
with it. His “coming wrath” was
How do you picture the “wrath”
good news for them, as it still
from which Jesus rescues us?
is for persecuted believers in
For starters, I think Jesus res-
many parts of this world.
cues us from the notion that
Recently we saw Greek citizens God is constantly angry with
riot because they resisted mea- us. We can live with the joy of
sures to restore their economy knowing that God, like any lov-
to health. In ancient Greece, ing parent, has good plans for
unsafe conditions and persecu- us—even though we may not
tion were facts of daily life for see those good plans each day
the believers in Thessalonica. or right away.
However, they lived “in the
midst of severe suffering with
the joy given by the Holy Holy Spirit, let me be
Spirit.” They were able to look known by work produced
ahead in hope and to move for- by faith, by labor prompt-
ward because they trusted Jesus ed by love, and by endur-
to rescue them. ance inspired by hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ.
God’s Son is coming to give Amen.
us much more than a “Merry
1 Thessalonians 2:9-12 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4

CALLED IN
Live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and
glory. —1 Thessalonians 2:12

When I was a child, I spent a Paul worked “night and day” to

summer vacation at my un- urge believers to live a life fit for
cle’s farm near a lake in the the King. And here he invites
Netherlands. Sailboats cruis- believers to consider who is
ing the lakes and canals would calling them, and to what they
tie up near the sheep pen. are being called.
Campers often slept in the
Today, the church still urges us
barn. There was so much go-
to be ready for what is coming
ing on that I missed the call to
and to prepare for where we
supper one day. When I came
are going. In the Christmas sea-
in late, my uncle grumbled that
son we make all kinds of prepa-
“if a calf missed the feed pail,
rations, but preparing for Jesus’
it went hungry.” But my aunt
second coming involves much
fed me anyway, and my cous-
more than house cleaning and
ins made sure I did not miss the
festive decorating.
call to supper again.
What shape does a life “worthy
Did you notice that the apostle
of God” take for you and me?
Paul sees his job as making sure
that we do not miss God’s call?
God calls us “into his kingdom Lord, help us listen to your
and glory.” That means full, new Word. You promise peace
life in God’s presence forever: a to all your people, your
new earth and heaven to enjoy faithful servants. May we
with all of God’s people! not turn away but listen to
your call. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-20 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5

OUR GLORY AND JOY

Indeed, you are our glory and joy.
 —1 Thessalonians 2:20

Brutus, our son’s aging dog, was Some people do not like Paul;
lost in the inner-city neighbor- they find him too theological
hood where our son’s fam- and blame him for some biblical
ily lives. We searched in the teachings they do not care for.
dark—but it’s hard to try to find But they overlook Paul’s tender
a black dog at night. At morn- concern for the eternal well-be-
ing light, we scoured the nearby ing of people who have a hard
yards again. Then we drove to- time finding Jesus. Paul sounds
ward the animal shelter to see just like the good shepherd here.
if Brutus had been found. Five And he acts like the angels who
blocks from home John saw rejoice when a sinner comes to
Brutus in a vacant lot, wearily repentance. (See Luke 15.)
resting in a muddy puddle. He
We rejoiced that we found
picked Brutus up to put him
Brutus. Paul joins with heaven
in the car. “Watch out for the
in rejoicing over lost sinners
seats with that mud,” I said.
who are found—and that gives
“Who cares about mud on the
me an encouraging image of
seats?!” John said as he happily
the Lord’s return.
gathered his dog in. Who cares,
indeed! We were too happy to Lord Jesus, I marvel at
have found him. your concern for each of
Paul expects to be happy when us. Thank you for mission-
the Lord returns, because the aries and neighbors who
people he has worked with and work and pray so that no
has prayed for will be there: one may miss the joy of
they are his glory and joy. salvation. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:6-13 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6

STRONG HEARTS
May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and
holy . . . when our Lord Jesus comes. —1 Thessalonians 3:13

What does it mean when you Bible, learn what God expects,
hear that someone’s “heart is and look for his Spirit to guide
in the right place”? Usually it us. A person praying for us, as
means you can count on that Paul did, can also help. A caring
person to do what’s right, in line visit by someone like Timothy—
with living God’s way. to remind us of grace and for-
giveness—would be encourag-
When Paul writes about our
ing also.
hearts, he’s talking about the
core of our being, our real char- I find it most encouraging that
acter, our true self. And he longs we can ask God each day to
for believers to have a heart that “strengthen [our] hearts.” God is
is “blameless and holy” before not a cruel teacher who throws
God. That is a tall order! a mysterious final exam at us.
He is our Father, who loves us
How do we get a heart like that?
and wants us to have full life,
Not with delicate surgery in now and forever.
a hospital. We need hearts
changed by the Spirit of God.
“Create in me a pure heart,
We need moral, ethical change.
O God, and renew a stead-
We need thoughts that think
fast spirit within me. . . .
about God first, and others sec-
ond. We need help to do what Restore to me the joy of
we should do, but instead we your salvation and grant
often skip over and forget. me a willing spirit, to sus-
tain me” (Psalm 51:10-12).
Paul’s letter offers a way to Amen.
get that help. We can read the
1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7

GOD-TAUGHT
You yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.
 —1 Thessalonians 4:9

How do you go on living when e­veryone will honor God’s

you think the end of the world teaching to love one another.
is near? Though only God
Further, Paul is reminding be-
knows the day and the hour
lievers they are all God-taught.
(Mark 13:32), many false teach-
God writes the basic stuff of liv-
ers have claimed to know too.
ing on our hearts (see Romans
They lead some people to go 2:14-15). This means that in
into a panic-mode, sell all their many cases we know very well
goods, and gather to await “the what we should do and not do.
final day.” Others go into a sur- Should we goof off and lip off,
vival mode, stocking food and or work lovingly and quietly?
building shelters, hoping to out-
It is a delicate balancing act to
last a disaster.
live in community. If we were
Paul advises that we live as not God-taught, we could ­never
normally as possible while wait- manage it.
ing for Jesus to return. He says,
“Mind your own business. Work
with your hands. Live quietly.
Be independent.” Lord Jesus, you saw how
Paul is telling Christians to keep your own disciples strug-
busy at being a loving commu- gled to get along at times.
nity that works. No one should But they learned from
get too nosy. No one should you. Please forgive us, and
take advantage of the gener- teach us too, through your
osity of others. In these ways Spirit. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8

HOPEFUL GRIEVING
Do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.
 —1 Thessalonians 4:13

Can you identify with the sor- age one another with these
row outlined in this verse? words.”
The believers in Thessalonica There is hope in every grief.
were eager for the return of the There is hope for the suffering
Lord, and Paul wanted them to church in Thessalonica, and
understand that if any fellow there is hope for us in our dif-
believers had already died, that ferent sorrows.
didn’t mean they would miss
Jesus came to earth to show
out on the blessing of eternal
us that God is with us and will
life with Christ.
always be with us. Death can-
Paul wrote this to assure believ- not wiggle in between Jesus
ers that they did not have to and us; death can never sepa-
grieve without hope, as other rate us from God! (See Romans
people do. 8:31-39; 1 Corinthians 15.)
All who believe in Christ can
trust that others who have
“fallen asleep in him” are now Father God, thank you for
with Christ and that God will
the comfort of Romans 8,
bring them with Christ when
that “neither death nor life
he comes again.
. . . nor anything else in all
After describing amazing things creation, will be able to
that will happen as Jesus comes separate us from the love
back to earth, Paul concludes, of God that is in Christ
“And so we will be with the Jesus our Lord.” Amen.
Lord forever. Therefore encour-
2 Peter 3:11-18 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9

WHERE RIGHTEOUSNESS DWELLS

In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new
heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
 —2 Peter 3:13

If you read the obituaries in car that will not start on a cold
your local news, you will notice morning, and especially by sin,
that they often contain down- pain, illness, and wrong, think
to-earth notions of the future. of Peter’s words. There is a
Many mention singing and re- place in our future with God, “a
unions in heaven, others men- new heaven and a new earth,
tion fishing or hunting, and one where righteousness dwells.”
that I read recently imagined a
Peter sums up rich, comforting
departed golfer reserving a tee-
promises that stretch from the
time for his friends. But have
words of Genesis to Revelation.
you ever seen an obituary that
Sorrow and suffering will end,
rejoices in finally being in a
tears will be wiped away, peo-
place where everything lines up
ple and their situations will be
with God’s righteousness, the
aligned with true righteousness
mysterious way things are really
and justice forever.
supposed to be?
That day, when things will in-
It seems we imagine future
deed be all right, is a day to
blessing as only an extension of
long for eagerly.
what we enjoy best now. Why
not think of the future as an
end to all that is wrong in the Father in heaven, you are a
world around us, and beyond just and loving God. Thank
our imagining? you that we can trust you
to deal with the unfair
Next time you are frustrated
stuff, and that one day all
by unfairness, by a co-worker
will be right. Amen.
who pushes you around, by a
1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 MONDAY, DECEMBER 10

CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not
belong to the night or to the darkness.  —1 Thessalonians 5:5

Once the busyness of Christmas Our toolkit for living as children

is over, many people take time of the light is faith, love, and
to reflect on the old year and hope. With those tools we take
look ahead to forecasts about on what each year brings, and
the new year. The time is ripe we figure out what can stand
for someone to predict the end the light of God’s day and what
and to warn us sternly. Who belongs to the darkness.
will it be this year?
And, please, let us not get
Not Paul! He restates what anxious. Read today’s verses
­
Jesus told his disciples. No one again, and take heart.
knows the day or the hour of
What do you hear? Does this
the Lord’s return (Mark 13:32).
make you anxious, or do you
Paul joyfully assumes that those feel some joy?
who read this letter are “chil-
dren of the light.” We are going
to walk in the light; we are not
going to walk in the dark deeds
of evil.
Lord Jesus, I thank you
Who would be foolish enough that I do not have to fear
to drive a car at night without
your return, and that I
turning on the lights?
may already walk in your
Who would stumble around in light. Even hard days are
a dark basement if they could ­brighter with you. I praise
use a flashlight to see by? your name. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11

REJOICE ALWAYS
Rejoice always . . . for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
 —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“What does God want from me, that “rejoice” and “give thanks”
and what does he want for me?” are related in the Greek lan-
These two big questions nag us guage in which Paul was writ-
throughout life. We try to de- ing. Both words have grace as
cide on a career, a school, a their root.
partner—or even smaller things,
I wonder if it helps to ponder
like what book to read, film to
the last words of verse 18: “in
see, or game to play. And we
Christ Jesus.”
may wonder, “What does God
want?” I may have lost my job or
wrecked my car, but God wills
Well, one thing is clear: he
me to rejoice anyway “in Christ
wants us to rejoice—always!
Jesus.” This will take some pon-
The adverb “always” trips us up. dering, but there is a way to joy
How is it possible to rejoice al- there. (Hint: Giving thanks in all
ways? How can we give thanks circumstances is not the same
when we are sick or in a reces- as giving thanks for all circum-
sion, or when we get a poor stances.)
grade or lose a friend?
It must be possible, or God Lord, help us to see the
would not “will” it for us. possibility of joy “always”
in connection with hav-
Moreover, Paul makes it plain ing peace in Christ, for we
enough, even adding that we know you are always with
are to “give thanks in all circum- us and our souls are secure
stances.” A preacher may point in your hand. Amen.
out to us in a sermon sometime
Isaiah 6:8-13 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

BLOCKED HEALING
“Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”
 —Isaiah 6:10

In the Old Testament we see because they see, and your ears
that the prophet Isaiah speaks because they hear” (13:16).
of God’s coming judgment.
Paul also refers to Isaiah’s words
God tires of his people’s disobe-
when he meets resistance from
dience and sends Isaiah with
Jewish leaders in Rome and
the harsh message: “You have
they reject the good news of
a choice: Go on not seeing
salvation through Jesus (Acts
and hearing, or turn from your
28:23-27). Paul then concludes,
wicked ways and be healed.”
“God’s salvation has been sent
Israel’s blindness blocked their to the Gentiles, and they will
healing and led to their exile to listen!” (Acts 28:28).
a distant land. However, there
It may seem, at first, that God
was a glimmer of hope: “the
blocks the healing. But as we
holy seed will be the stump in
follow these words through
the land.” If you cut down a
Scripture, we see that God
tree and leave the stump, new
longs for his people to “turn
growth can sprout from it. God
and be healed.”
does not give up on his people.
Jesus quotes Isaiah’s mysterious
words as he explains why he Open our eyes and ears,
teaches in parables (Matthew Lord, that we may see and
13:15). But such disappointing hear. Give us understand-
words are not the end of God’s ing of your good news,
mercy. Jesus sees new growth and guide us to prepare
on the stump and says to his for your coming. Amen.
disciples, “Blessed are your eyes
Isaiah 7:1-9 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13

AN ENCOURAGING WORD
“Yet this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘It will not take place, it
will not happen. . . .” —Isaiah 7:7

In the Old Testament, prophets “If you do not stand firm in

often gave discouraging mes- your faith, you will not stand
sages, because the people had at all.”
rebelled against God for a long
This is an encouraging word
time and were ripe for punish-
that takes courage to follow—
ment.
courage to stick to the right
But today’s verses show that path. That is hard for a king, a
Isaiah had an encouraging word president, and for any believer.
here. There were political trou-
When you read accounts of the
bles in the land, and military
persecuted church today, or of
threats from the outside were
a whistleblower in a large firm
increasing. King Ahaz and his
who cannot be part of its deceit
people were shaking with fear.
any longer, don’t you admire
God sends Isaiah and his son to their courage?
speak to these anxious people.
We all need courage between
Isaiah’s son, with a name that
the first coming and the second
means “a remnant will return,”
coming of Jesus. Isaiah assures
is a walking message that God
us that courage is available from
will not abandon his people.
the Lord.
Further, Isaiah encourages
the king by telling him from Thank you, Lord, for your
the Lord that the forces allied promise to stick with us.
against him will not succeed. Holy Spirit, help us to
But the king must trust in the stand firm in our faith in
Lord, not in his political deals. you. In Jesus, Amen.
Isaiah 7:10-17 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14

A MYSTERIOUS SIGN
“The Lord . . . will give you a sign: The virgin will con-
ceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
 —Isaiah 7:14

We often hear this passage Many years later, when Jesus, the
about a virgin in readings and Son of God, came to live among
songs at Christmastime. It had us, Matthew explained, “All this
meaning for Isaiah’s audience took place to fulfill” the words
many years before the first of Isaiah (Matthew 1:22; see
Christmas. And its ultimate ful- also John 1:9-14). “Immanuel” is
fillment came when Jesus was a cry of faith come true. God is
born (see Matthew 1:22-23). bodily with us in Jesus.
But what did it mean in the This presence changes but never
days of wheeling, dealing King stops, for when Jesus leaves the
Ahaz? earth, he assures us, “I am with
you always, to the very end of
The king had made power deals
the age” (Matthew 28.20; see
with other nations and had
Acts 1-2). “Immanuel” (“God
worn out God’s patience with
with us”) becomes a promise
his false piety. But still some of
and a reality in hard times, at
God’s people remained faith-
Christmas, and every other day
ful. Isaiah said there would
as well.
be a young woman who
would bravely name her son
Immanuel (“God with us”). The Lord, give me faith, that I
sign in Isaiah’s day was not a vir- may trust in your presence
gin birth but a young mother’s even in hard times. Holy
faith in the midst of war and Spirit, help me to rejoice
rumors of war. Her faith would that Immanuel has come.
shame the king. He trusted in Amen.
deals, but she trusted in God.
Isaiah 8:11-18 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

WAITING WHILE GOD HIDES

I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face. . . . I will put my
trust in him. —Isaiah 8:17

Having to wait is frustrating. We pecially in Advent: God comes

dislike waiting in the doctor’s as a baby!
office, in traffic, or in school.
What could it mean that the
Many of us have also learned
Son of God would do this (see
that waiting for God can be dif-
Philippians 2:5-8) and then live
ficult, especially after praying
in obscurity for about 30 years
for help or healing.
before launching his ministry as
Isaiah speaks to our impatience. the Savior? (See Luke 2; 3:23.)
He knows that for various rea-
Do we also take offense at the
sons God may “hide his face,”
God who hides? When facing
or withhold some of his favor,
a disaster or disappointment,
usually because his people have
have you ever wondered,
been rebellious. Isaiah also tes-
“Where is God? Why doesn’t
tifies that we can put our trust
he do something?”
in God. Any of the people who
thought Isaiah’s warnings were What are our options here? Isaiah
treasonous or who thought recommends, “I will put my trust
the Lord should meet all their in him.” Is that what you do?
demands would soon see that
Isaiah was right. Lord, it is often difficult to
wait while we cannot see
People in every generation will what you are doing. How
come up with complaints about could we ever guess your
the God who hides. Stumbling amazing plans? Please for-
over God’s hidden ways is a re-
give us, and accept our
curring problem that faces us in
praise. Amen.
every season—and perhaps es-
John 3:22-30 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

JOHN’S JOY
“The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him,
and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is
mine, and it is now complete.” —John 3:29

What is your idea of John the John, who jumped for joy in his
Baptist? Do you see a fun-lov- mother’s womb when Elizabeth
ing, entertaining speaker? Or met Mary, pregnant with Jesus
does he seem more like a fierce, (Luke 1:44), sensed joy again as
gloomy prophet? Jesus’ ministry began to grow.
It was never about John, but
We might expect John to be
about the one who came after
gloomy because his career was
him. So John said, with amaz-
going down the river. His cous-
ing humility, “He must become
in Jesus was taking over. Jesus
greater; I must become less.”
had begun teaching and baptiz-
ing, and his disciples reported John wanted the ministry of
in alarm, “Everyone is going to Jesus to advance. That was his
him.” purpose and his complete joy.
But John was “full of joy.” Why? Can you and I find such joy if
Because he knew his place in we remember who and what is
God’s coming salvation. He central?
saw himself as a “best man” at
a wedding. His job was to fo-
cus on the “bridegroom,” not Lord Jesus, this Advent
on himself. The “friend who at- season should be about
tends the bridegroom” was de- you. There are so many
lighted if things went well and distractions this month
the bridal couple were enjoying and year-round. Help us to
their special day.
keep you front and center.
Amen.
Isaiah 8:16-9:2 MONDAY, DECEMBER 17

GOOD THINGS FROM GALILEE

There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. . . . In
the future he will honor Galilee of the nations. —Isaiah 9:1

Every country seems to have a “dawning”—just beginning.

state, province, or town that has Anyone living there could have
a reputation for being less than missed the light if they were
upscale. Galilee, in the northern expecting something flashier or
part of Palestine, was a place from a more prominent place,
like that. When Jesus began his like Jerusalem.
ministry, people said things like
When Christmas comes next
“Nazareth! Can anything good
week, we could also stumble at
come from there?” (John 1:46).
the sputtering of a light in a sta-
It is good that God does not ble, expecting something more
follow some magazine’s list flashy or sophisticated. Jesus’
of “10 Best Places to Live.” very humanness remains part
Through Isaiah, God promises of his humility and hiddenness.
that light will come from the Surprisingly, Galilee, where dif-
“backwoods” region of Galilee. ferent nations meet, is part of
About 700 years later that light his glory.
did come when Jesus lived in
Galilee and began his ministry
near Capernaum. As Matthew Thank you, Holy Spirit, for
4:12-17 describes the start of showing me that it takes
Jesus’ ministry, it also quotes time to keep a promise,
Isaiah, saying, “On those living and time to know it was
in the land of the shadow of kept. Help me to celebrate
death a light has dawned.” the dawning of the light in
faith and hope, in Jesus’
That was a long time to wait, name. Amen.
and even then the light was
John 3:16-21 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18

“IT ONLY TAKES ONE CHRISTMAS!”

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
 —John 3:16

Many people readily complain This year, let’s have the kind of
that department stores and Christmas that tells the whole
radio stations play Christmas story. How? That’s a good ques-
music far ahead of the season: tion to ponder.
“The ‘world’ has kidnapped
A friend told his family one
Christmas!” But since it is the
year that they would be getting
feast of God’s love for the
smaller presents, because he
world, shouldn’t the whole
was handing out cash to home-
world celebrate?
less people. Some families skip
We might wonder if the message their big dinner on Christmas
of Christ, broadcast through so to serve a meal at a shelter.
much Christmas music, makes a Another person may finally
difference to anyone who is not smile at that lonely classmate or
a believer. But it can. The Spirit neighbor and break the ice to
of God works in many different begin a friendship.
ways to bring people to faith in
There must be a world of ways
Jesus. And for some people, as
to show God’s cosmic love.
a friend of mine once said, “It
only takes one Christmas!”
Does our Christmas celebration
tell the whole good-news story?
John 3:16 certainly touches all Father, forgive us for hold-
the main points: God’s love, for ing back; help us share
the world, shown in the gift of your love as you lead us.
the Son, so that whoever be- In Jesus, Amen.
lieves has eternal life.
John 5:30-40 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

WHO IS JESUS?
“John . . . testified to the truth. . . . I mention it that you may be
saved.” —John 5:33-34

A stranger to our Christmas (John 1:34). That testimony was

culture could well wonder, John’s “light,” and it pointed to
“Who is this Jesus who causes Jesus, whose testimony was even
so much celebration?” “weightier than that of John.” The
religious leaders to whom Jesus
People already wondered
was speaking, however, refused
about this Bethlehem baby at
“to come to [him] to have life.”
his birth. Then they questioned
even more when he began to Jesus clearly fulfills God’s great
preach, and feed, and heal. promise of help and hope. He is
Who was Jesus, that he could the one sent by God to save his
do and say these things? people, to “bring justice to the
nations” (Isaiah 42:1).
When Jesus received hostile
questions, he took the time We also have heard the testimo-
to answer. He even produced ny about Jesus. Are we choos-
five witnesses: himself, John, ing to enjoy him? Are we com-
his works, the Father, and the mitting to him for life?
Scriptures.
Perhaps John’s clearest testi- Holy Spirit, help me to
mony came when he and Jesus see and believe who Jesus
met as adults. John said, “Look, really is—the Son of God
the Lamb of God, who takes who brings salvation. In
away the sin of the world!” your mercy, remove any-
(John 1:29). Soon afterward he thing that would lead me
added, “I have seen and I testify to refuse to come to you.
that this is God’s Chosen One” Amen.
Luke 3:1-18 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

GETTING READY
“He will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah . . .
to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” —Luke 1:17

Is it time to panic? Gifts to buy, neighbor” in practical ways

meals to prepare, concerts to that are open to everyone.
hear, cards to send—can it all “And with many other words
be wrapped up in the remain- John exhorted the people and
ing days before Christmas? proclaimed the good news to
them.”
John the Baptist can help. His
message of repentance and John went ahead of Jesus to say
seeking to live as God calls us that there is forgiveness for all
to is as vital for us today as for who earnestly seek to live God’s
his listeners two thousand years way. Jesus opens a gift of grace
ago. John speaks out plainly and love that is big enough for
and with urgency to get people a world full of sinners. Even
ready for Jesus’ coming. if you have nothing baked or
bought for Christmas, that gift
When I listen to John speak,
is wrapped and ready for you!
I see a man with practical an-
swers for everyone: tax accoun-
tants, law enforcement officers, “O Lord, how shall I meet
people who buy and sell in the you, how welcome you
marketplace, people who have aright? Your people long
more than they need. John tells to greet you, my hope, my
them to do right: give away that heart’s delight! Oh, kindle,
extra food; be honest; don’t Lord most holy, your lamp
take advantage of the weak or within my breast, to do in
the poor; don’t accuse people spirit lowly, all that may
falsely; be content. John applies please you best.” Amen.
the command to “love your
Luke 1:26-38 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

“HOW WILL THIS BE?”

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
 —Luke 1:34

As we get nearer to the celebra- John the Baptist (Luke 1:5-18)—

tion we’ve been waiting for, all born in situations that biology
Mary’s question becomes more and common sense considered
urgent. Is the story of Christmas impossible. Except that the
just a story to make us feel Creator decided it was good
good? Or did these things really and necessary.
happen? As Mary herself asked,
Mary’s question is one we need
how would God become hu-
to ponder as we get closer to
man and be born of a virgin?
Christmas.
Luke, the writer of this account,
And we need to rejoice that the
was a doctor. He knew about
impossible did happen—that
babies. Perhaps that is why he
Jesus was born into our sinful
gave the most details on the
world, and that he brings life to
birth of Jesus. He wanted his
all who believe in him.
readers to understand that this
birth was extraordinary, su-
pernatural. Something like this
simply did not happen—it was
Father God, we are so
impossible.
grateful that with you all
But wait! Impossible things are things are possible, and
possible with God! that Jesus did come to
A long string of near-impossible
earth. May we truly cele­
birth stories foreshadowed this brate your glory and maj-
birth: Isaac (Genesis 18:10-14; esty this week. We pray in
21:1-7), Samuel (1 Samuel 1), Jesus’ name. Amen.
Luke 1:46-55 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22

MARY SINGS!
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my
Savior, for he has been mindful. . . .” —Luke 1:46-48

Why does Mary sing? prayer and the Psalms. This

makes Mary a clever arranger.
She rejoices for good reason,
Or, better, it shows that Mary’s
as did Hannah, the mother of
song echoes the timeless voice of
Samuel, when she received a
believers everywhere who hang
child (1 Samuel 2). Both w
­ omen
on to God, believing in his great
sing of God’s mercy for the
­power to save and to rule in righ-
humble. They rejoice that God
teousness and mercy. They may
is not impressed by pride, riches,
not be on Time magazine’s list of
or power. They shout with joy
100 influential people, and the
that God keeps his promises; he
world may not notice their need
makes mercy the currency of his
or poverty, but God pays atten-
kingdom—always.
tion. And God acts!
Luke includes songs to sum up
We remember at Christmas
the events in which people take
that God’s mercy is at work
part in the story of Christ’s birth.
in our world, and that it may
He includes songs by elderly
be hidden—like the baby in
men like Zechariah (1:67-79)
Bethlehem.
and Simeon (2:29-32). There’s
also a song-summary of the an-
gels’ message at Christ’s birth Father in heaven, may we
(2:14). echo Mary’s words. May
we glorify and rejoice
If your Bible has cross-references, in you, because you are
you will notice that Mary’s words mindful of our situation
in her song are adapted from and have chosen us. In
other songs, mostly Hannah’s Jesus’ name, Amen.
Luke 1:57-66 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23

SHARED JOY
Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her
great mercy, and they shared her joy.  —Luke 1:58

There was no Internet service fill the neighbors with anticipa-

in the hill country of Judea in tion. They understand that God
those days, but news certainly is at work doing great things.
got around. Neighbors and rela-
We know about anticipation in
tives shared in Elizabeth’s joy
this season. Christmas comes in
when her child was born. And
a few days. What are you ex-
when Zechariah wrote, “His
pecting?
name is John,” everyone mar-
veled that he could speak again. Are family and friends coming
over to celebrate with you? Will
With the first words he spoke
you share presents? Will you
as a new father, Zechariah
worship together? Will there be
praised God. Soon everyone
peace on earth?
was talking about the “great
mercy” shown in the surprise We may “have it all,” or we
birth of this baby, the naming may only get to rejoice as these
of this child, and the return of neighbors did because of God’s
Zechariah’s speech. “What then great mercy. But even that will
is this child going to be?” they be more than enough, right?
wondered.
Luke cites a reason for this won- “Come, thou long-expected
dering joy: “For the Lord’s hand Jesus, born to set thy peo-
was with [the child].” God was ple free; from our fears
with John as he grew up before and sins release us, let
their eyes. We know little about us find our rest in thee.”
John’s early years, but we sense Amen.
here that John’s birth and youth
Luke 1:67-80 MONDAY, DECEMBER 24

THE RISING SUN

“Because of the tender mercy of our God . . . the rising sun will
come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and
in the shadow of death. . . .”  —Luke1:78-79

Today’s Scripture recites the our Christmas carols and lights

Spirit-led song of Zechariah. As remind us, Jesus is the “light of
he reflects on the role that his the world”(John 8:12; 9:5).
son, John, will have in preparing
This image of “the rising sun”
the way for our promised salva-
is especially hopeful because
tion, Zechariah includes images
it indicates that God’s new day
and phrases from the Psalms
is just beginning. Many people
and Prophets.
feel that things wind down after
Our verse contains the hopeful Christmas. But isn’t the oppo-
phrase found also in Isaiah 9:2 site true? After Christmas, we
about light shining on people can begin to use and enjoy our
lost in the dark. gifts.
Darkness itself is hard enough Let’s remember that on Christ­
to take. That is why we have mas Day. This is just the begin-
nightlights and flashlights. But ning—Jesus is “the rising sun”!
darkness is a metaphor for all
that troubles us: despair, loneli-
ness, sin, worry, depression.
Zechariah sings that John will go
before Jesus to get people ready Spirit of Jesus, guide us
for his coming, announcing that to walk in the light, to
help is on the way. The day is breathe in hope-filled air,
dawning. God will rescue his to steer toward ways of
people and help them to live as
peace. Thank you! Amen.
they were meant to live. Just as
Luke 2:1-20 TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25

A DAY FOR SINGING

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.” —Luke 2:14

I grew up in a sober, psalm- come to us from God. The

singing church that allowed a angels’ song nicely unwraps
­
few hymns if their words were God’s Christmas present.
straight from the Bible. This an-
Though the words make a per-
gels’ song was the trickiest, fan-
fect summary of the Christmas
ciest, and most moving hymn
story, it’s odd that we do not
we had. We sang its phrases in
sing them more often.
parts, softly, then loudly—and
when we reached the end, we The shepherds caught on, how-
did them over again, closing ever. They ran to the stable, saw
with a series of amens. Even the Christ child, and went back
though we now have hundreds to work, “glorifying and praising
of hymns available in books or God for all the things they had
on projection screens, I still can- heard and seen.” I imagine they
not sing the words of that song may have sung a few bars of the
without choking up a little. angels’ chorus along the way.
And why not?
As the angels make the heavens
ring with their song, they say it Father in heaven, we join
all, don’t they? This is, indeed, the angels and shepherds
“good news that will cause in praising you today for
great joy for all the people.” the gift of your Son. We
The angels bring glory to God bring glory to you, “in the
in heaven for his mercy and highest heaven and on
love. They also assure us here earth.” In Jesus, Amen.
on earth that peace and favor
Matthew 1:18-25 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26

JESUS
And he gave him the name Jesus.
 —Matthew 1:25

Here another piece is added to We hear that our troubles are

the Christmas story. The angel greater than the darkness and
tells Joseph that the child should problems that come to us from
be called Jesus. Matthew sees the outside. We have added to
that this birth is a fulfillment of the mess we are in by our own
the Isaiah 7:14 prophecy: “‘The sins and failures, and we need
virgin will conceive and give to be saved from our sins.
birth to a son, and they will call Is it not true that the warm and
him Immanuel’ (which means giving spirit of Christmas wears
‘God with us’).” down quickly as it meets the re-
But Matthew does not mention alities of living in a harsh world?
Isaiah. The angel had already Our children have likely already
covered that when he told fought over new toys. And
Joseph, “Do not be afraid to take what about you—have you al-
Mary home as your wife, be- ready had an argument, or said
cause what is conceived in her is a harsh word?
from the Holy Spirit.” Obedient The angel has good news for
to this word from the Lord, us: God is with us in Jesus, who
Joseph takes Mary as his wife, the came to save us from our sins.
baby arrives, and Joseph names
the child “Jesus, because he will Lord Jesus, thank you for
save his people from their sins.” loving me despite my sins,
and for renewing love and
What are we hearing from life for me and for your
Matthew that we did not hear
world. Glory to God in the
from Luke?
highest! Amen.
1 John 4:19-5:5 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27

A SEASON FOR CHRISTMAS?

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving
God and carrying out his commands.  —1 John 5:2

The rustic town of Frankenmuth, “loving God and carrying out

Michigan, is known for savory his commands.”
German cooking and Bronner’s
And these “commands” are not
Christmas Wonderland.
complicated. The central com-
Bronner’s is always decorated
mand is to love God and neigh-
for Christmas and sells orna-
bor. For example, says John,
ments, bows, and trees year-
“Whoever claims to love God
round. Since Michigan usually
yet hates a brother or sister is
has snow at Christmastime, it
a liar.”
is jarring to see the store on a
hot July afternoon, but it fits the So, as we take down the
alpine look of the town. Christmas tree and store the
lights and decorations, we
In a way like Bronner’s, we do
should keep celebrating the
not need seasonal snow and ici-
birth of Jesus by loving others as
cles to celebrate Christmas. The
he loves us. “Peace and good-
birth of Jesus is a life- and world-
will to all” must be a year-round
changing event, so it should be
labor of love.
possible to celebrate it anytime
and anyplace. It should be pos-
sible to stretch the generosity Spirit of God, help me
and goodwill of the season into to carry the warmth of
spring, summer, and fall. Christmas into the next
weeks and months. Thank
John’s letter gives us clues on you for the love I receive
how to stretch the season. We in Jesus’ birth; help me to
celebrate Christmas all year pass it on. Amen.
when we stick to the basics of
Matthew 18:1-5, 10-14 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28

LITTLE ONES
“In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of
these little ones should perish.” —Matthew 18:14

A good place to start our labor of Our idea of loving our neigh-
loving our neighbor is with our lit- bors expands when we remem-
tle neighbors: children— abused, ber that “these little ones” are all
bullied, orphaned, trampled- who humbly follow Jesus like a
in-war-zones, failing-in-school child. Jesus explains the reverse
children. There are many places math of his kingdom with his
where we can help—schools, li- story of the lost sheep. We could
braries, hospitals, social agencies, rationalize that one percent loss
churches, and more. We can also on a hundred sheep is not bad,
help as we do our daily work. but the Good Shepherd risks
all to go after one lonely, lost
One day I saw a family anx-
sheep. That logic could get us
iously gathered at the library
into some hard, hopeless situa-
counter as the librarian told
tions, but today’s verse provides
them their outstanding fine
hope, for our “Father in heaven
was past the limit where they
is not willing that any of these
could take out more books.
little ones should perish.”
The father did not have enough
money; the children looked dis-
appointed that they could not
take out books. Then the librar-
ian found a solution: “Pay what Father in heaven, please
you can now to get below the help us to be humble
fine limit, and you may borrow and to see the needs of
the books.” Joy returned and little ones and others over-
learning continued because of a looked by our world. In
loving use of the rules. Jesus’ name, Amen.
John 7:37-42 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29

THIRSTY FOR THE SPIRIT

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever be-
lieves in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow
from within them.”  —John 7:37-38

The end of the year nears. Soon (Isaiah 58:11). John explains
Christmas will be only a mem- that the living water Jesus spoke
ory. Who knows what we will of is “the Spirit, whom those
face in the new year? Do we who believed in him were later
have enough trust in God’s care to receive.”
to face the uncertainties of the
Things of the Spirit are difficult
coming year?
to understand. Does the image
We thirst for assurance. That of living water help? For the
is the reason newspapers and woman at the well (John 4),
broadcasts feature forecasts and it meant new life beyond the
predictions. Economists, politi- shame of broken relationships.
cians, and health care experts To Isaiah it meant God’s pres-
tell us what to expect and what ence and daily blessing.
to prevent.
For us, soon after Christmas
Jesus invites us to believe in and before another year, it
him. He tells us that when we can mean that God, Jesus,
believe, we will be equipped Immanuel, stays with us and in
for the future. Jesus uses the im- us—by his Holy Spirit!
age of “living water” that he had
used earlier when he spoke to
a woman at a well (John 4:10). Lord, guide us always,
The prophet Isaiah used water satisfy our needs in a sun-
as a picture of joyful, renewed scorched land, and make
living, guided and satisfied by us “a well-watered garden”
“the Lord . . . always,” “like a for your sake. Amen.
spring whose waters never fail”
John 7:53-8:11 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30

HE GIVES US SPACE
“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and
leave your life of sin.” —John 8:11

Newer translations of the Bible her before him to test his abil-
include a footnote with this ity to judge, not realizing that
story, saying that it is not found he would one day be the Judge
in the earliest manuscripts. I over all. But Jesus does not rush
hope this “messiness” of the to judge this woman. He does
Bible does not trouble you. It not condone her actions, but he
shouldn’t. Rather, we can rec- gives her space to change: “Go
ognize that the perfect Word now and leave your life of sin.”
of God entered a messy world
Jesus gives us space to real-
and picked up some scars, but
ize that sin does not have us
still tells us plainly that while
trapped. We can, by his grace
no one is perfect, Jesus gives us
and Spirit, leave our sinning be-
space.
hind—big and small.
Jesus gave space for this crowd
There is some space before the
to go home shame-faced. They
new year begins. Is this not a
expected to jeer and throw
great idea for 2013: “Leave
stones at a “fallen woman.” He
your life of sin”?
challenged them to look into
their own hearts to see if they
were sinless before throwing Father in heaven, as I re-
the first stone. Then he drew in flect on the past year and
the sand while they all slinked move to the new year,
away, now seeing their own help me leave my old sins
faults a little more clearly. behind—and the guilt that
Jesus gave space to the woman goes with them. In your
too. The officials had dragged mercy, Lord. Amen.
John 8:12-18 MONDAY, DECEMBER 31

THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of
the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but
will have the light of life.” —John 8:12

We decorate our house mod- the words of eternal life” (John

estly for Christmas: white elec- 6:68).
tric candles in most windows, a
What does it mean to follow
net of white lights on the cor-
Jesus today?
ner shrubs, and two small spiral
trees near the front door. We The place to start is to listen,
keep them up through January watch, and learn what Jesus
for the Epiphany season to cel- says, does, and finds important.
ebrate that Jesus is “the light of Jesus reached out to the hun-
the world.” gry, the poor, the blind, and the
unfairly treated. He also obeyed
On cold, snowy nights the lights
the deep truth of the law. And
are a happy reminder of the
he told his disciples—and us—
comfort and joy of Christmas.
“You are the light of the world.
The light keeps shining in the
. . . Let your light shine before
gloomy (and sometimes de-
others, that they may see your
pressing) months of the year.
good deeds and glorify your
Jesus promises that we will not Father in heaven” (Matthew
be in the dark when we follow 5:14-16).
him. Believing that promise can
be challenging at times. Perhaps
it helps to recall then that even Lord Jesus Christ, help
the first disciples did not find me to shine your light in
faith easy. On one occasion, a all that I say and do, that
number of followers gave up our Father may be praised.
on him, but Peter said, “Lord, Amen.
to whom shall we go? You have
 1946358

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