Then Moses went up to God, and the LORD called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the house of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession.’”
Exodus 19:3-5

A Treasured Possession

What is your most treasured possession? For a child it might be a bicycle or a doll. For a teenager it might be a pair of jeans or a phone. Perhaps, for you it is your wedding ring or a family heirloom.

Have you ever wondered what God treasures? He has a great deal to choose from since everything in creation is his. Every bird, every animal, every gemstone, every mountain—everything is his.

But what does God treasure most? You. He made you and wanted you in his world. He has provided for you and protected you. And even though you have often strayed from him and gone against his commands, he treasured you so much that he came into the world in the person of Jesus Christ and rescued you from your own rebellion.

You may not believe that you are very valuable. It may seem like other people don’t consider you very valuable, either. You may not think you matter. But the sacrifice God made when he went to the cross is your proof of how valuable you are to him. Let that be your comfort and peace this day, knowing that no matter what you are facing or how you might feel you are failing, by faith in Jesus, you are God’s treasured possession. And he plans to keep you for the rest of eternity.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, you know there are times I do not feel very valuable. I think of the pain I have caused others and the pain my sins have caused you. But your Word tells me that through Jesus, I am your treasured possession. I marvel at such a thought. May all I do this day be worthy of such an honor. Amen.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Matthew 5:4

Mourning

Dr. Alejandra Vasquez has published an article that sheds light on grief. While you and I might associate mourning mainly with the death of a loved one, Dr. Vasquez reminds us that losses of many kinds may cause us to mourn. A few examples include: The loss of a friend through distance or a rift in your relationship. The loss of your sense of home through your having to move to another place. The loss of familiar people and routines at work when your employer creates all kinds of changes. The loss of a sense of identity when you must leave your profession. The loss of your former lifestyle when you take on the care of an ailing loved one. The loss of independence when poor health prevents you from doing what you’ve always done. Even a series of relatively small losses can create what Dr Vasquez calls “compound grief.”

The truth is we live in a sinful, broken world, and by nature we are sinful, broken people. As a result there will be all kinds of losses—losses around us and of our own making. And some of those losses will make us mourn.

If you are in mourning, if you are in grief, know this. You are on Jesus’ mind and heart. And he fully understands what you feel. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows,” Isaiah says of our Savior. There is no kind of grief you feel that he does not grasp.

But Jesus also gives a promise. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. When our Lord lived a holy life in our place and suffered and died for our every sin, not only did he purchase for us full forgiveness. He also secured comfort for us in this life and absolute comfort in the life to come, “where there will be no more death, or mourning, or crying, or pain.”

That’s his promise. And with Jesus, a promise made is a promise kept.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you know my sorrow. Thank you for your comfort. I look to you to carry me through. Amen.

Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
1 Corinthians 1:26

Cinderella Story

Harry was a carpenter and a good one. Earlier in life he’d pursued acting, but that had gone nowhere, one filmmaker telling him there was no future in it for him. One day, Harry was doing some work near the home of a young director. He remembered Harry from somewhere, and asked him to read for a part in the director’s next movie. The young director was George Lucas. The movie was Star Wars. Harry the carpenter was Harrison Ford.

Everyone loves a good Cinderella story—the story of someone of ordinary background who experiences a thrilling change in life. You can find Cinderella stories in many places: The small college basketball team that wins the big tournament. The farm girl whose singing voice is discovered on a national talent show. The penniless, single mom who writes the phenomenal, best-selling book. Or the quiet, unassuming carpenter who goes on to become one of the biggest film stars in Hollywood.

All these stories are child’s play, however, in comparison to the story of what Jesus Christ has done for you and me. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1, the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians, “Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” Those same words certainly apply to the vast majority of us. In fact, because of our sin, the full picture is far worse. Not only are most of us invisible to the eyes of the world, by nature we are broken, toxic souls, reeking in our spiritual failure, deserving only of God’s contempt.

But God did not let the story end there. Instead, he sent his Son. On our behalf, Jesus lived the sinless life we have failed to live. In our place, Jesus washed away our every stain of guilt at the cross. Now, through faith in our Savior, the plot has changed. Our story is different. It’s not necessarily that we are now best-selling authors or famous athletes; our story is far better. We are forgiven. God is our Heavenly Father. He guides every moment for our good. Heaven is our home.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for changing my story. Thank you for sending your Son. Amen.

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land.
Zephaniah 2:3

Searches

Want to know some of the top internet searches from 2022? Under the category of TV shows, top searches included the Star Wars series, Obi-Wan Kenobi, the modern western series, Yellowstone, and the science fiction series, Stranger Things. Under movies, top searches included Jurassic World Dominion, The Batman, and Top Gun: Maverick. Finally, in the overall category for top searches of 2022 included items such as Powerball numbers, election results, and Queen Elizabeth.

When you take even a moment to consider what is at our fingertips to read, watch, research, and study—the prospect is staggering. Think about it: any contemporary figure, movie, event in history, scientific discovery, definition, culture, newsworthy headline, how-to video, book discussion, or speculation about the future—all of it and more is just waiting for you to type the word in the search engine and hit, “Enter.”

But even before the internet, humanity found itself surrounded by countless ways we could spend our time and energy. Countless ways we could use our eyes and ears.

Several hundred years before Jesus’ birth, God’s people had taken their spiritual search engines and hit “Enter” on all kinds of things—things that seemed important, that promised pleasure, happiness, purpose, and fulfillment. But they were wrong. They were wrong because all their searches were at the expense of spending time in the presence of their Lord and Savior.

And so, God called them to repentance. “Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,” he said. He called upon them to acknowledge their sinful, wandering ways and look to him once again.

Many times, you and I have wandered in the same way. We searched the wrong places. We sought out the wrong people. And in doing so, we drifted from the Lord—the only one who gives us lasting peace, life, and joy.

But God still pursues us and calls us to repentance. And through faith in the Christ Child who has washed us clean at the cross—all is forgiven. And we are his.

Prayer:
Lord, I come to you in repentance. Forgive my foolish searches. Embrace me in your grace. Cleanse me in your blood. I am yours. Amen.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Fishers of Men

The fishermen Peter and Andrew had met Jesus before. They seem to have been disciples of John the Baptist before they became disciples of Jesus. But John the Baptist gave Andrew a nudge in his Lord’s direction one day when he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!” (John 1:36) Andrew went and got his brother, and Jesus called them to not only be his followers but also into the work of being fishers of men.

Some of the most difficult fishing we do as Christians is to share our faith with a close relative such as a brother, sister, or spouse. There can be many reasons for this—lack of confidence because of something in the past, a concern not to get Christianity in the way of a relationship, or other factors. Our reasons may be legitimate, or they may be sinful, or we might even be uncertain which it is. But we take comfort in something Peter said about his Lord, the “lamb without blemish or defect,” when he assured us that “through [Jesus] you believe in God… for you have been born again… through the living and enduring word of God” (1 Peter 1:19-23). It is the word of God that works. We simply do our best to let the word itself do the work and to present ourselves as living examples of faith in Jesus.

As his followers, Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. We don’t fish for our own benefit but for God’s kingdom. We are people-fishers, using the only bait that works: the good news about Jesus. The gospel always accomplishes what God wants it to. God’s word is powerful. It’s perfect. It’s effective. And it’s yours.

Prayer:
Jesus, when I have the opportunity to tell other people your word, give me the courage to speak and the ability to communicate the truth about you as Savior. Amen.

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-20

Bringing Light Into the Darkness

God created everything without outside help. He spoke the plants and animals into existence and gave them life, energy, and potential. Then he formed humans and commissioned them to fill the world and rule over it. God did all this by himself. Nobody helped him create this good world. But when it comes to telling this world about who he is and what he has done to save the people of this world, he decided to use humans to spread the good news.

Interestingly enough, instead of going to the temple to find religious professionals or to the king’s palace to enlist the so-called influential people of the world, Jesus went to day laborers, fishing by the sea of Galilee. He said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people,” meaning he would use them to rescue people from sin and death by preaching the good news about what he had done to save them.

And that’s precisely what happened. After Jesus died on the cross and rose again, he sent out his disciples to proclaim the good news. People worldwide believed this message, continuing to pass on this good news until it even reached our hearts.

Now the God who created this world wants to use us to continue proclaiming this good news. Wherever we go, we are to bring his light with us. God’s light shines as we communicate God’s love in words and actions and tell those around us about our Savior, Jesus.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for calling me to participate in your mission. Fill me with the joy of your light and lead me to spread that light wherever I go. Amen.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2

Jesus Brings Light to the Darkness

Have you noticed that many movies in the last decade are dark, dystopian films? In the past, movies had happy endings. But now, it seems the setting, characters, and even the conclusion are dark. These movies resonate with large audiences because many people feel unstable in our cultural moment. Corrupt politicians, the potential of war, and the isolation our technology brings have darkened our hope for a better future.

This is not a new feeling. Twenty-seven hundred years ago, in the days of Isaiah the prophet, Israel had lost all hope. The ruthless Assyrian Empire swallowed up the Northern Israelites. And the big, bad Babylonians were crouching, ready to pounce on what remained of God’s people. Eventually, these two enemies decimated the nation of Israel.

Since the beginning of their history, God promised to send them a Messiah-King who would set them free from their oppressors. But after hundreds of years of suffering, they abandoned their dream of freedom. In their distress, they began to believe they lived in a dark story with no happy ending. But Isaiah the prophet continued to preach a message of hope. He said those living in darkness would see a great light.

When Jesus arrived hundreds of years after this prophecy, he declared he was the light Isaiah predicted. Yet, instead of just conquering their earthly enemies, Jesus had a bigger goal. He came to conquer sin and death and rule their hearts with his peace. And so, hanging on a cross, he absorbed the darkness of the world into himself until it killed him, and then he rose again as the light of life.

Now, all who believe in his name, enjoy God’s forgiveness, the promise of the resurrection, and the hope of the world to come.

Don’t let the daily news or Hollywood’s latest film distort your faith in the promises of God. The glory of God has brightened your dark heart. And soon, Jesus will bring our story to a happy ending.

Prayer:
Lord God, darkness covers this world and casts a shadow on my heart. Fill me with your light until your last and glorious return. Amen.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.
Isaiah 9:2

Jesus Is Our Light

Light is certainly one of the most precious things in our world. Without it, the simplest tasks can be a challenge or—in some cases—altogether impossible.

A lack of light can also strike fear into our hearts and be quite dangerous. If you have ever tried navigating your way through complete darkness, you know this to be true. That is what life is like without Jesus. Without the light of Jesus we would not know where our lives are heading or how to live a life pleasing to the God who made us. Without the light of Jesus we would stumble through life, bumping into blessings without knowing where they come from and tripping over trials and temptations.

Thank God for sending Jesus to be the light that illuminates our lives. He gives us hope and purpose. He came to remove the darkness of sin by shedding his blood and scatter the shadow of death by rising from the grave. Since our sins have been paid for by his blood, we have the sure confidence that every one of our sins has been removed—even the ones that weigh us down with the most guilt. Since he rose from the grave, we have the rock-solid guarantee that death is not the end for us. We too will rise with him to live eternally.

With Jesus lighting up our lives, we can live with confidence and purpose. The confidence comes from knowing that nothing can change the fact that our sins have been washed away by his blood and our eternal life guaranteed by his resurrection. Our purpose now is to live every moment to his glory. We strive to make the best use of all the gifts he has given us and do everything we can to share Jesus with others so they too, may walk in his light.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, this sinful world is a dark place. Thank you for scattering the darkness of sin and death for me. Continue to light up our lives that I may live for you and share your light with others. Amen.

“I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all. Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”
Isaiah 49:4

The Hidden Reality

Can you identify with what Jesus says in today’s Bible passage? Have you ever felt like you believe in vain and all your faith is for nothing?

The bills pile up, and the stress of making ends meet weighs you down. Where’s God? The pain continues, and there’s no relief in sight. Where is the Lord? Your kids make bad choices, and you can’t understand why. Where has God gone? Why doesn’t he fix these problems and make things better?

But that is not how God operates in this world. That’s why Jesus also said, “Yet what is due me is in the LORD’s hand, and my reward is with my God.”

When Jesus did his work, it looked like labor with no purpose and strength spent in vain. By every standard the world uses, being nailed to a cross means that your life was a failure. But that visible reality could not blot out another reality, the hidden one. Jesus knew that the outcome of his work was in God’s hands, and even though he could not see it, he trusted God for victory.

This is a difficult lesson to learn: our God is a God who hides himself (Isaiah 45:15). This means our faith in God is not based on what we see or feel. It is based entirely on what God has said in his Word.

So never lose sight of the hidden reality that God makes known in his Word. He may hide himself by not giving you vast amounts of wealth so that you remember what a great treasure he is. He may hide himself by not eradicating sickness and pain so that you never forget to rely on him. He may hide himself by allowing you to suffer so that you never stop longing for your heavenly home. He may hide himself so that you look forward to the day when he will be hidden no more and you “shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

Prayer:
Lord, help me believe in what I cannot now see. Amen.

When [John] saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
John 1:36-38

What do you want?

When someone asks, “What do you want?” how often do you say what you really want? When the waitress asks that, do you tell her the truth? You want the twenty-ounce porterhouse steak, but you order the club sandwich because it’s less expensive.

Sometimes “What do you want?” can be a simple question, but other times it can be difficult. Jesus asked that question of the two disciples that John the Baptist sent after him. How would you answer if Jesus asked it of you?

Do you say what you really want, or do you settle for the safe answer? You know the safe answer, “Jesus, I want you to take away my sin!” And that is, obviously, a good thing to want.

But what about later when you’re not reading this devotion? What will you want then? Admit it, there are a lot of other problems in your life that Jesus could take away. It would be nice if Jesus made life a little bit easier and took away the world’s crime, hunger, and poverty.

But don’t devalue the gift of forgiveness. Jesus taking away the sin of the world is nothing like settling for the sandwich when you want the steak.

Realize that you fight a daily struggle to remember that the reason life is hard is because you are a sinner who lives in a world broken by sin. Sin is the reason you’re unhappy. Sin is the reason life is a pain. Sin is a problem you cannot solve on your own.

So when the Lamb of God came, he took away the sin of the world. And by doing that, Jesus did not just give you what you need; he also gave you what you want! He stopped your problems at their source and guaranteed that, in the heaven he won for you, you will have the perfect life you want.

Prayer:
Lamb of God, help me to want the forgiveness that you earned for me. Amen.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
John 1:29

The Lamb of God Appears

About fourteen hundred years before Jesus was born, God told his people to use animal sacrifices when they worshiped him. Under this sacrificial system, the priests started and ended every day the same way: take a lamb, slit the lamb’s throat, drain the lamb’s blood, sprinkle the blood on the altar, then burn all of the lamb’s meat until it was nothing but ashes.

In addition to these daily offerings, there were other sacrifices mandated for different religious festivals and life occasions. Following God’s laws resulted in a minimum of 1,273 animal sacrifices every year, not counting the thousands of voluntary sacrifices that the people offered on top of all that.

Over the centuries, God’s people shed an ocean of sacrificial blood. It was supposed to deal with their sin, but it was never enough because “it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). But that does not mean that the sacrifices were a waste of time. God was using them to teach his people something important.

Repeated sacrifices reminded them that they had sins that needed to be taken care of. The gallons of spilled blood taught them that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). The constant slaying clearly showed that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Most importantly, the countless lambs offered to God pointed to the Lamb of God, who would take away their sins.

So when that Lamb of God finally appeared, John the Baptist made sure that everyone knew who he was. Jesus was the sacrifice the people had been waiting for. He was the Lamb of God, not only because he was chosen by God, but also because he was God.

His sacrifice on the cross took away the world’s sin because it was God who shed his blood and gave his life. It is impossible for the blood of animals to take away sins, but “the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Prayer:
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world; grant me your peace. Amen.

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.” This is what God the LORD says—he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Isaiah 42:1-7

Here Is My Servant

“No one knows the trouble I’ve seen; nobody knows but Jesus.” So says the famous African-American spiritual. All of us can feel this way at times. And it’s true. Jesus is the only one who truly knows all of the troubles we have experienced.

When we are drowning in distress, grasping for anything to save us, the Lord answers with the promise, “Here is my servant.” He is talking about Jesus, the one who served us perfectly in order to save us.

Reach out to him! The Lord’s Servant isn’t arrogant like so many world leaders. He restored the most broken of lives—lives that no others cared to touch. To carry out justice, he didn’t come guns-a-blazing. He suffered beatings, taunting, and the humiliation of death on the cross to save us.

Maybe we don’t feel worth rescuing. Jesus sees us differently. It cost him dearly to redeem us; he won’t dispose of us. Rather than snuff us out, he restores us. Rather than grind us down, he makes something new. Jesus needed true grit to save us. But the moment we struggle, he stoops like a mother to care for us.

Prayer:
Lord, when the tempest rages, I need not fear; for you, the Rock of ages, are always near. So take my hand, O Savior, and lead the way. Amen.

This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles.”
Isaiah 42:5,6

Your Covenant Savior

The man and his wife were on the two-hour trek from Bethlehem to Jerusalem with a 40-day-old baby. They were going to present him to the Lord at the temple in keeping with the law of Moses.

As they walked through the courtyard, a man stepped out of the crowd to greet them. Taking Jesus in his palms, eyes beaming with joy, Simeon proclaimed, “My eyes have seen God’s salvation. He will be Israel’s glory and a light for people everywhere.”

This child was the covenant promised through the prophet Isaiah. God would care for his people through the gift of his Son. The child born of Mary would crush the devil and his evil work, saving us from our sin.

Although we have not seen Jesus physically as Simeon did, God has shown us his salvation in the words of the Bible. There we read about who he is and what he did to save us. Through those words, he creates and strengthens our trust in him as our Savior. And so, like Simeon, we rejoice because we are receiving our soul’s salvation.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you are my light and life, my joy and salvation, my everything. Amen.

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.”
Isaiah 42:1-3

Your Consoling Savior

When I was ten, I got kicked out of gym class. The teacher told us to take turns playing a pantomime game of tennis. While two of us pretended to hit the ball back and forth, the rest were supposed to cheer.

Since I had never watched a tennis match before, I had no idea there was a proper way to cheer. So, I started clapping, whistling, hooting, and hollering during play. The teacher thought I was being disrespectful and sent me to the principal’s office.

Every time I hear the words of our Bible reading for today, I think of that event in my life, and I rejoice. I rejoice because these words remind me that Jesus, our Savior, does not kick us out of his presence for the wrong things we have done and said. Instead, Jesus carried the crushing weight of our guilt to the cross and had his life snuffed out for our sin.

This is our Savior. When we get it wrong, Jesus does not yell at or humiliate us. When we sin against God, he does not parade us through the streets shouting, “Shame!” When we are bruised and broken, when we are feeling small and insignificant, he summons us to come to him and find rest in him for our souls.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for not crushing my spirit but for constantly consoling me with your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:13-17

Approval Rating

Whether at work, school, or home, we are constantly graded, compared against others, and rated. The boss gives us our annual review. The teacher hands out report cards. The son informs mom that her mac and cheese isn’t as good as what Dylan’s mom makes.

It is interesting how these “ratings” can affect our day, isn’t it? If they’re good, we feel good. If they’re lousy, we feel lousy. If they’re nothing special, then we are tempted to feel that we’re nothing special.

How’s your approval rating with God? How have you been keeping up with those Ten Commandments? Remember, they’re not God’s suggestions; they are his commands. How’s it going between you and your neighbor, all your neighbors? Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

If we’re going to talk comparisons, why not go all the way and, as God says, compare ourselves to him? “Be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Will I ever meet with God’s approval? Will God ever say of me, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased”?

This is what makes Jesus’ baptism, as well as our own baptism, so special. God, in his grace, has connected me to Jesus. God has given me faith in Jesus as my Savior. Jesus has taken away all my sins and gives me his perfection and holiness. When God looks at me, he can say, “This is my son, my daughter, whom I love! With him, with her, I am well pleased.” Approval ratings don’t get any higher than this. God be praised!

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, when doubts of my worth come, drown them in the waters of baptism and remind me of your love for me in Jesus. Amen.