He has sent me to . . . provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1,3

Complete Transformation

Daily Devotion – December 21, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1,3

See series: Devotions

Everyone loves a before and after picture. To appreciate the restoration, you need to see the pictures of the old, dilapidated structure now turned into a stunning new home. To marvel at a life-changing transformation in someone’s life, you need to see where they’ve been. Imagine someone in dire straits enslaved in addiction and homeless, but now free from that slavery, off the streets, and living in luxury. A complete turnaround gives complete joy.

Look at the incredible transformation Jesus brings about in the lives he touches. In the prophet Isaiah’s time, ashes were used to outwardly display inward sorrow over one’s sin. Jesus wipes the ashes away because he has removed every sin. In place of the ashes, he gives a crown of victory, a mark of royalty. He puts an end to mourning and instead pours out the oil of joy. In ancient times, oil was used as an ointment to heal and soothe. Jesus brings healing to wounded hearts, he even transforms from death to life. He bestows a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. The transformation isn’t just on the surface. He transforms the heart. He takes a soul in despair and gives it every reason to rejoice.

It is a complete transformation. No wonder we have such complete joy!

Prayer:
Come, King Jesus, and bestow gifts that only you can give! Amen.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me . . . He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.
Isaiah 61:1

Complete Joy

Daily Devotion – December 19, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 61:1

See series: Devotions

There is great joy when what is broken can be mended and made new. The glass Christmas ornament, which was handed down over generations, falls from the tree and shatters. But it’s not just swept up and thrown in the trash. Someone takes the time to piece it back together, something that seemed impossible, and now it’s better.

Jesus, your Savior-King, is also the miraculous mender. His expertise is mending broken hearts and souls shattered by sin and its devastating impact on our lives. Even when no one else knows your brokenness and pain, your Savior knows. Even when it seems impossible to pick up the pieces, Jesus doesn’t consider you too broken to fix. He binds up your broken heart with his love. His forgiveness mends the once-shattered relationship with God. That is why he came.

The Lord sent, literally deployed, his Son on an intense, feet-on-the-ground mission. The Savior-King comes, not riding high up in a chariot. His feet are on the ground, and he’s getting right down to where the brokenhearted are stooped over. He goes all the way to where people are cowering in dark dungeons. He comes and opens the prison doors and sets them free. Jesus met people in the streets, under the darkness of night, in their homes, wherever they were. He spoke words that powerfully healed broken hearts. He proclaimed forgiveness and set free consciences that were held captive by guilt. He declared peace and pardon to those still trapped in the darkness of their past.

Jesus meets you in a real and powerful way through his Word. His words recorded in the Bible have as much power as when they were spoken face-to-face. His words of healing, forgiveness, and assuring love still hold the power to bind your broken heart. His proclamation of forgiveness still sets your conscience free from guilt. His declaration of peace and pardon scatter the darkness of the past. He still comes through his Word to mend, to set free, and to bring complete joy!

Prayer:
Come, King Jesus, to bind my broken heart and fill it with joy. Amen.

Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King.
Psalm 98:1-6

Joy

Daily Devotion – December 17, 2023

Devotion based on Psalm 98:1-6

See series: Devotions

Why is the third candle pink? That is probably the most asked question about the tradition of the Advent wreath. The story is a bit complicated, so we will focus only on the basics of these devotionally symbolic colors.

In recent decades, blue, a symbol of hope, has become a more common color for Advent. Purple previously was, and in many churches still is, Advent’s predominant color. Repentance, traditionally symbolized by purple, is one of Advent’s several themes. Think of John the Baptist’s repentance message heard in worship on the second Sunday of the season: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2).

On the Third Sunday in Advent, several of the Bible readings and commonly sung hymns exude a joyful tone. Repentance-purple doesn’t seem like the right color. The color pink, a symbol of joy, captures the joyful expectation or anticipation proclaimed on the third Sunday of this season.

Sometimes anticipation makes us impatient. Sometimes it makes us anxious. But anticipation also can bring us joy. That’s not hard to imagine when Christmas is just a handful of days away. Think of a child’s excitement as Mom and Dad help their son or daughter count down the days until Christmas on their family wall calendar. Think of the joy children have decorating the tree with family, trying to guess what’s in the presents that begin to appear under it, wondering if their most hoped-for gift will be inside one of those colorfully wrapped boxes.

How much greater joy is there in the hearts of believers who know, with childlike faith, that the greatest Christmas gift they could ever receive will be unwrapped in a matter of days! What joy to know that our sins will soon be taken up by the holy and innocent Christ Child! What joy to know that our rescue from guilt and the grave is coming not in a beautifully wrapped box but in a miraculously sent child named Jesus! What joy to know that our greatest need will be satisfied by the greatest gift God could give to humankind: his own dear Son from eternity, who became one of us and one with us in time.

The anticipation of these days before Christmas brings joy to children of God of all ages! Rejoice that a Savior came for you once and will come for you again!

Prayer:
Gracious God, in this world of sin and sorrow, you give us joy in Jesus and his coming into our world. Amid the anxieties of this busy time, lead us to rejoice continually that your Son became one of us to redeem us and bring us everlasting joy. Amen.

This Advent devotion is brought to you by Forward in Christ magazine. For an enhanced version of this devotion including a flipbook and video or to read other devotions in this series, visit forwardinchrist.net/advent-2023.

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.
Isaiah 40:11

Your Shepherd

Daily Devotion – December 15, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:11

See series: Devotions

In a little over a week, we will gather in churches or around the tree and peer into a feeding trough to see a King. But he won’t look much like a king. He will look like a baby, an ordinary baby.

The one described in our Bible verse today doesn’t look much like a king either. He’s described as a shepherd. But not a shepherd heroically fighting off wild animals. A shepherd cradling lambs in his arms. A shepherd gently leading ewes and lambs to food, water, and shelter.

It might seem strange to us, but it wasn’t uncommon in many cultures in the Ancient Near East for a king to be compared to a shepherd. No one fits that description better than the one whom the Bible calls the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the one whom the Bible also calls the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep.

We rejoice that Jesus came as our mighty King to do battle for us. We rejoice that he rules over all things for the good of his people. But, as we prepare to meet him when he returns, we also rejoice that he is the gentle Shepherd we need.

Jesus cares for us completely. He sees our needs and meets every one of them. He came not only to conquer our enemies but to lead and love us and feed and guide us. When we stray, he reaches out to rescue us. When our souls are hungry for peace and hope, he fills us with his promises.

And when Jesus comes again, he will carry us in his arms to our eternal home. He will “lead us to springs of living water.” He will “wipe away every tear from our eyes.” He will bless us with everything we need for eternity. Let’s prepare to meet him!

Prayer: (Christian Worship: Hymnal – 804)
Who so happy as I am, even now the Shepherd’s lamb? And when my short life is ended, by his angel host attended, he shall fold me to his breast, there within his arms to rest. Amen.

“All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8

Prepare to Meet Him

Daily Devotion – December 13, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:6-8

See series: Devotions

How’s your lawn right now? For some of you, your grass has grown dormant and won’t be green again for several months. For others, the heat of summer has cooled to allow grass to grow again, but when the hot desert sun returns, that grass will wither and die again.

Much of the world can picture what the prophet describes in these verses. The grass withers, and the flowers fall. Year after year, we see it happen. It marks the passing of time and reminds us that nothing lasts forever.

But that’s not entirely true. The things of this world—the grass, the flowers, even the people—wither and die. But the word of our God endures forever. Of course, that can’t be said of any human being. Our promises are broken. The things we say are forgotten. But not God’s.

When God speaks, he never changes his mind. He never takes it back. The things he says are always true, always relevant, always reliable.

That means when he makes a demand in his law, it stands. But it also means that when he makes a promise, it stands. He promised to send his Son to defeat sin and death; he kept that promise when Jesus came as our Savior. When he promises to separate our sins from us as far as the east is from the west, he keeps that promise. When he promises to hear those who call on him in Jesus’ name, he keeps that promise. When he promises never to leave us or forsake us, he keeps that promise. And when he promises that one day, Jesus will come again to take us to heaven, he will keep that promise, too.

And so, with trusting hearts, we treasure his unfailing word. And with joyful hearts, we prepare to meet Jesus when he comes again.

Prayer:
King Jesus, I rejoice that your Word never fails. Trusting in your Word, help me prepare to meet you when you come. Amen.

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:1,2

The King Comes to Comfort His People

Daily Devotion – December 11, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 40:1,2

See series: Devotions

George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has been thrilling audiences for 281 years. For some, attending a performance of Messiah is as much a part of Christmas as putting up lights, decorating a tree, or exchanging gifts. The music of Messiah stirs our emotions like few other pieces of music can.

And yet, the true greatness of Messiah is in its message drawn directly from the Bible, such as this passage from Isaiah 40, which touches our hearts and strengthens our spirits.

“Comfort, comfort my people,” God says. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” Comfort is what we need when we are grieving, broken, or in despair. Comfort in knowing that we are loved. Comfort in knowing that someone understands what we are going through and knowing there is a way out of our grief, brokenness, and despair.

The original audience for this message was people who had turned away from God to rebellion, disobedience, and sin. Now, they were paying the price. God let them be attacked and defeated by an enemy nation.

Far away from home, they were left with nothing but guilt. But into this emptiness, God spoke comfort and hope. Your sin has been paid for. You are right with God.

How? We want to know because we, too, are guilty of turning away from God. We deserve his punishment. But God promised that a King was coming to pay the price for our sins and guilt. That King, Jesus, proved his love by coming to be one of us. He knows what we are going through. What comfort! And because of him, there’s a way out. He speaks tenderly to us in his Word and says, “I love you. I forgive you. You are mine.” What comfort!

At this point in Handel’s Messiah, the slow, somber music moves higher, breaking through the gloom of despair and striking a note of hope. So, too, our hearts sing because of the comfort our King comes to bring.

Prayer:
King Jesus, come to me and comfort me with your promise of forgiveness and the assurance of your love. Amen.

Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you! As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemies and cause the nations to quake before you!
Isaiah 64:1,2

God Does Awesome Things

Daily Devotion – December 9, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 64:1,2

See series: Devotions

Why is it that people flock to the circus? Why do magicians attract a crowd? It’s because people are fascinated by amazing things. While traveling this fall with my family, one of the gate attendants pulled a scarf out of his sleeve and when he stuffed it into his fist it “disappeared.” My ten and eight-year-old boys were amazed and started telling everyone around them.

There are certainly times when people wish that God would display some of his awesome power. “Please God, stop the wars in the world. God, why did you allow that horrible accident to happen? Couldn’t you have stopped that from taking place?” People plead with God, hoping that if they pull the right prayer strings, they can control God and prompt a few miracles to suit their own needs.

But what really are our needs? Do we need that raise? Do we need more clothing and the latest phone with all the apps? The Bible makes it abundantly clear that God will meet our physical needs (not necessarily our wants), but more so, we learn that our greatest need is for a Savior from our sins.

Some 2,000 years ago, God did something amazing. He did rend the heavens open and sent his one and only Son down and gave him the name Jesus. As if that wasn’t enough, Jesus suffered and died on the cross in our place for all our sins. And, because God’s wrath over all sin was satisfied, Jesus rose from the dead. Calling all this “amazing” is an understatement. Indeed, God does awesome things!

Each day, you and I can live knowing full well that our amazing God has forgiven our sins, loves us, and cares for us. When someone does something this amazing for us, it makes us want to tell everyone around us!

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for your amazing grace to me and all people. Help me appreciate your grace and share the story of your amazing grace and love through Jesus Christ the Savior of all. Amen.

When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Mark 11:7-9

In the Name of the Lord

Daily Devotion – December 7, 2023

Devotion based on Mark 11:7-9

See series: Devotions

Let’s be honest. You can visit me whenever or wherever you want, but if you come in the name of someone important, I am going to pay more attention to you.

Jesus had entered Jerusalem before. But when he entered on Palm Sunday on a colt, the foal of a donkey, people recognized that he was doing something special. He was coming in the name of the only true God, fulfilling an ancient prophecy, and they shouted a Psalm verse that showed they were paying attention.

When Jesus enters your heart in the name of the only true God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—you pay attention to his promises. Every time you hear those words in baptism, you recognize that something special is going on. Every time you hear those words at the beginning of a church service, you remember that the only true God has promised to be there in a special way.

Remember that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. When someone comes in that name, it has to do with your salvation. You do well to pay attention to that arrival. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!

Prayer: (Psalm 8:9)
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Amen.

For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you. Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.
Isaiah 64:3,4

Worth the Wait

Daily Devotion – December 5, 2023

Devotion based on Isaiah 64:3,4

See series: Devotions

When our children were little, they had some difficulty understanding the passage of time. Everything in the past happened “yesterday,” and everything in the future was “tomorrow.” When they were anticipating something exciting like another visit from their cousins, they would ask, “Is it tomorrow yet?” On the day their cousins were to arrive, they would often check the front door and gaze out the front window until the moment finally arrived. It was agonizing—but it was worth the wait!

We may wish we were old enough to understand God’s timetable when it comes to the end of the earth and the return of Jesus in glory. He said he was coming soon, and it doesn’t seem soon according to the way we think of time. But as God’s children, we realize that he has a long view of time. It is agonizing—but it is worth the wait!

To remind ourselves that the wait is worth it, we think of awesome things that God has done. He sent his Son to be our Savior. Through that Savior, he forgave our sins and assures us that our sins are forgiven, even when we don’t expect it.

There is nothing like a visit from the only true God. We have seen what it was like when Jesus lived, died, and rose again, and we look forward to seeing what God will continue to do on behalf of those who wait for him.

Prayer: (Psalm 40:17)
As for me, I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay. Amen.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11-14

Hope

Daily Devotion – December 3, 2023

Devotion based on Titus 2:11-14

See series: Devotions

We went shopping at a local mall on a Saturday afternoon in September. As we rode the escalator to the second floor, my wife looked beyond me and said, “Don’t turn around!” I knew what she meant: “Turn around, but you won’t like what you see!” What terrible sight was about to greet us on the second floor? A fully decorated Christmas tree with lights, garland, and ornaments! Did I mention that it was September?

Our US culture observes its secular version of Christmas long before Christmas Day. The day after Thanksgiving used to be the start of the secular Christmas season. Now the starting date seems to be the day after Halloween—or even earlier! Impatient Americans don’t wait to celebrate the holidays. We exhaust them long before they arrive on the calendar!

How very different is the Christian’s Christmas celebration! Christmas Eve and Day don’t end the celebration but begin it. We spend the weeks leading up to Christmas not in celebration but in hopeful anticipation. We light the first candle of the Advent wreath as we take our place in the sandals of Old Testament believers who looked up to the heavens, waiting and watching and hoping for the Lord to keep his promise to send the Messiah.

God promised to send his Son to undo the damage of sin caused by Adam and Eve and each one of their descendants. That includes you. Jesus would have had every right to come into this world with his wrath and anger aimed squarely at us. He would have had every right to fill us with fear instead of hope. Instead, God’s promised Messiah came with grace and humility aimed solely at saving us. His mission from cradle to cross would remove the guilt of sin and restore the relationship between God and humankind.

Old Testament believers waited and hoped for God to send the Messiah as he promised. New Testament believers now wait and hope for Christ to return in glory and bring us to the glories that he won for us. Despite many attempts to predict that day, we cannot know when it will be. And so we patiently wait and hope. We hope in Christ, knowing that he who kept his promise by his first advent will come again in his good time for his final advent. With hopeful anticipation we cry, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, fill our hearts with patient hope as we wait for your triumphant return. Keep us faithful to you and fix our eyes on the promises of your Word so that when you return in glory, we may joyfully receive the salvation that you won for us at your first advent. Amen.

This Advent devotion is brought to you by Forward in Christ magazine. For an enhanced version of this devotion including a flipbook and video or to read other devotions in this series, visit forwardinchrist.net/advent-2023.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven . . . we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

A Never Ending Joy

Daily Devotion – December 1, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

See series: Devotions

Trumpets. Angels. Flying. Reunion with loved ones. You’ve contemplated some or all of those things. God willing, you have been encouraged by all of them. And yet, they fail in comparison to the encouragement of the words before us today. We won’t just meet our loved ones in the air, “we’ll meet the Lord in the air. We will be with the Lord forever.”

When we’re with the Lord, nothing else matters. Think of some of the commercials you see this time of year. Some of the tear-jerking commercials are military members coming home for the holidays and being reunited with their loved ones. When a daughter runs into her G.I. dad’s arms at the airport, you don’t hear her complain, “Daddy, it’s really warm in this airport.” Her joy of being with her once-deployed dad supersedes any discomfort. Likewise, when a deployed daughter surprises her mom with coffee in the kitchen on Christmas morning, you don’t hear the mom complain, “Folgers? Why not Starbucks?” She’s just glad to be with her daughter.

On the day Jesus returns, so many exciting things will happen. But nothing will compare with our supreme joy of being with the Lord—a joy that will never end. Therefore, be encouraged with these words and that your King is coming to be with you.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I can’t wait to be with you. Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly! Amen.

God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. . . The Lord himself will come . . . and the dead in Christ will rise first . . . Therefore, encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:14,16,18

The Coming King

Daily Devotion – November 29, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:14,16,18

See series: Devotions

“They’re going to miss it.” That’s maybe what you thought as you sat by the grave of a loved one. “They’re going to miss their daughter’s wedding. They’re going to miss their first grandchild. They’re going to miss traveling in retirement.” They’re going to miss ‘it,’ whatever ‘it’ is.

And there’s a sadness that comes with this, at least for the survivor. Many of you know what it’s like to experience a wedding, a birth, or some other occasion without sharing the joy of that event with certain loved ones. But there is one event our loved ones who have died in the Lord will not miss. Not only will they not miss Jesus’ return, “the dead in Christ will rise first.” There’s a certain amount of joy that comes with this, isn’t there? As a spectator, I love watching my child get a blue ribbon at the track meet or the spelling bee. I rejoice in seeing my spouse receive an award at her place of employment. We love seeing our favorite players win a championship or our preferred candidates win an election. We find joy when our loved ones win.

While you may miss your loved ones at an upcoming wedding, be assured, they’ll be the first ones to the wedding banquet of heaven. You may miss a Christian friend at an upcoming reunion but be assured they’ll be the first ones in the air, waiting to be reunited with you. Be encouraged by these words. Be encouraged that your King is coming, and he’s bringing those who have fallen asleep with him.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, may the joy of my loved one’s victory overshadow the sadness of me missing them here. Amen.

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven . . . Therefore, encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:16,18

Know Where Your Path Leads

Daily Devotion – November 27, 2023

Devotion based on 1 Thessalonians 4:16,18

See series: Devotions

Not too long ago, my wife and I went on a long walk. It was a beautiful day, so we decided to walk beyond our planned path. As we meandered through a subdivision on this unmarked path, we weren’t quite sure where it would lead. Nor did we have our phones on us to provide a map.

When we came across two women sitting on the park bench, we didn’t simply ask, “Do you know where this path leads?” Rather, my wife started by asking, “Do you live around here?” When the women said, “Yes,” our confidence level went up. We were encouraged. They would know where the path led because they were from here.

As we go through life, we don’t always know where our paths lead. But considering that our goal is heaven, how encouraging it is to know that’s where our Lord lives. And the reason he’s there is because he finished his work here. Jesus lived a perfect life for you and died to take away your sins. He rose again, sealing his victory over death so he could open heaven to us. Today, in heaven, he is sitting at the right hand of God, ruling over all things for your benefit. Don’t miss the significance of those two little words, “The Lord himself will come down from heaven.” Be encouraged by these words and know that your King is coming from heaven.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, as I go through life, I often get discouraged by the difficulties of life. Today, encourage me with the assurance that you are already in heaven and you are coming back so that I can be with you there. Amen.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

Peace

Daily Devotion – November 25, 2023

Devotion based on Philippians 4:7

See series: Devotions

Our minds and hearts strain for peace by trying to remove the things that cause stress and hurt. If we get sick, our distress is removed when we are well again. If we find ourselves in serious financial trouble, the stress weighs heavy on our minds, and we are not relieved until the red ink turns black. We tend to equate peace in our lives with an absence of adversity.

How different is the peace of God that we have in Christ! God’s peace far surpasses our understanding of peace. The peace that God gives exists in the midst of difficulties. It settles and flourishes in the minds and hearts of believers. Though we experience all kinds of troubles and struggle to overcome many challenges, we have peace in the midst of everything. The peace of God is founded on what he has already accomplished through Jesus. He charged his Son with the guilt of our sin and inflicted Jesus with the suffering and death we deserved.

True, lasting peace is knowing with our minds and believing with our hearts that our sins have been forgiven by our heavenly Father and that we will spend eternity surrounded by his glory and filled with his blessings. Instead of condemning us to hell, God has promised us heaven. Instead of separation from God, he promises to hold us near and dear to him. God has made us his own through Jesus and will not forsake us. He guards us by his power so nothing can separate us from his love for us in Christ. As God’s own people, we can confidently face every situation—no matter what it is. We have the peace of God through Jesus.

Prayer:
Fill me, O God, with the peace of knowing that in Jesus you love me and are guiding me on the course that keeps me close to you. Amen.

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” . . . “How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.”
2 Samuel 7:18,22

More Than Thanksgiving

Daily Devotion – November 23, 2023

Devotion based on 2 Samuel 7:18,22

See series: Devotions

Happy Thanksgiving! That phrase will be said millions of times today in America. But stop and think: if you say, “Happy Thanksgiving!’ today, what are you actually saying?

“Have a good time giving thanks today!” That’s perhaps the most literal meaning.
Or perhaps you mean, “Have a happy day of being off work, a happy holiday!”
Or, “Enjoy all the food today—and don’t let that turkey put you right to sleep!”
Or perhaps, “Have a great time with your loved ones today!”

What’s the common denominator there? The person’s action: enjoy, have a good time, a great day.

And let’s be clear: there’s nothing wrong with that. But there’s an even better part of Thanksgiving for the Christian. It’s more than ThanksGIVING—it’s about the giver himself. And I don’t merely mean, “If you’re a Christian, you get to direct your thanks to someone.”

No—Christians get to sit in the love and blessing of the Sovereign (in control of all things) Lord. They get to say like David, “Wow, Lord—who am I, that you’ve blessed me so much?” (By the way, David was the king—he was definitely someone).

The Christian gets to say, “There is no God like you, no God but you—the God who’s taken me, a nobody, and made me a somebody you’ve adopted me into your royal family.”

What a great day this is—maybe you’ll enjoy food, maybe friends and family, maybe a day off of work. But there’s no maybe about this: God has brought you this far and promises to bring you all the way to eternal life.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, Thank you for being one-of-a-kind great. Thank you for wanting me to be in your family and choosing to adopt me and paying for me with the blood of Jesus. Who am I? Your royal child. Amen.