Readings for today: Daniel 5, 2 Peter 2, Psalms 119:113-128, Proverbs 28:19-20
“You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.” (Psalms 119:114)
I am thankful this morning. Thankful for a family I love. Great friendships I treasure. Work that is meaningful and significant. A church family who loves and pursues Jesus. Freedom won for me at great sacrifice by those who serve in our Armed Forces. My life protected on so many levels by our first responders. A warm home. Plenty of food on my table. There is frankly very little want or need in my life.
Beyond and above all of that is a deep sense of gratitude for all God has done for me. He pursued me when I was lost and lonely. He lifted me in His arms and carried me through the darkest times of my life. He rejoiced with me at each of life’s special celebrations. My wedding day. The birth of each of my children. My graduation from seminary and my ordination to the ministry. He has been my hiding place when I am scared. He has been my shield when I felt under attack. He has been faithful to walk with me through every deep valley and summit every high mountain along the way.
I am thankful my God loved me so much He sent His one and only begotten Son to save me from my sin. I am thankful God loved this broken world so much He left heaven, threw Himself on the wheel of history, broke his own body in order to make her whole. I am thankful the Word became flesh and blood and made His dwelling among us. I am thankful God bridged the gulf Adam created between heaven and earth through his sin so that the door might be open and we find our way home. I am thankful God was willing to lay down His life for us. Sacrificing the glory of heaven for the humiliation of earth. Sacrificing the splendor of heaven for the dullness of earth. Sacrificing the sweet communion of heaven for the discord of earth. God gave up so much to save us. As the old hymn says so beautifully, “Amazing love! How can it be that Thou my God shouldst die for me?”
It is so easy to focus on all the ungodliness in our world. The blasphemies committed in Daniel 5 or referenced in 2 Peter 3. But today is a day of thankfulness. A day of gratitude. A day to focus not on how far we fall short but on how far God is willing to go to save! My prayer for you is that your day would be filled with joy and laughter. Fellowship and friendship. Fun and games. Even if it is a hard day because you’ve lost someone you love. Or a tense day because of the relational strain in your family. Or a lonely day because you are separated from those closest to you. I pray even in these spaces that you experience the grace and mercy of God. That you find your heart strangely warmed by His presence. God is with us. This is the heart of the gospel. So we give thanks.
Readings for tomorrow: Daniel 6, 2 Peter 3, Psalms 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22