Readings for today: Zechariah 9, Revelation 17, Psalms 145, Proverbs 30:32
There may not be a better Psalm for the day after Christmas. After all the songs have been sung. The Word preached. The candles lit. The majesty and mystery of Christmas Eve comes to a close. We go to our homes. We eat good food. We drink good wine. We enjoy special time with those we love. Then life ramps up again. We head back to work. Homes empty as friends and family catch flights back home. Gifts are returned. Decorations taken down and put away for another year. Before we know it, we launch into another year.
It’s easy to forget God in the midst of ordinary life. It’s easy to lose sight of Him. It’s easy for the feelings of peace and joy and love and grace to fade the further we get from Christmas. The Psalmist encourages us to keep praising God. To keep reminding ourselves of all His wonderful acts. To remain consciously aware of His abiding presence. To lay hold of His perfect love which casts out all fear. How do we do this? We worship. We praise. We glorify God each and every day of each and every week of each and every month in the coming year.
“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation. All of your works will thank you, Lord, and your faithful followers will praise you. They will speak of the glory of your kingdom; they will give examples of your power. They will tell about your mighty deeds and about the majesty and glory of your reign. For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. You rule throughout all generations. The Lord always keeps his promises; he is gracious in all he does. The Lord helps the fallen and lifts those bent beneath their loads. The eyes of all look to you in hope; you give them their food as they need it. When you open your hand, you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them. The Lord protects all those who love him, but he destroys the wicked. I will praise the Lord, and may everyone on earth bless his holy name forever and ever.” (Psalms 145:1-21)
There is nothing more important for your spiritual life than meditating on promises of God. Reminding yourself of His steadfast love and faithfulness day after day. God is good. All the time. God is great. All the time. God is gracious and merciful. All the time. He is close to all who call on Him with a sincere heart. He protects those who love Him. He hears the cries of His people. He answers the prayers offered in His name and for his glory.
Friends, we are coming to the end of yet another year of reading Scripture together. Some of you finished early. Others fell behind. Others will finish right on time. I trust all of you wrestled and struggled and prayerfully reflected on how God was speaking to you through His Word as we read. It’s not easy to read the Bible. It’s not easy to attempt to immerse yourself in the strange world of Scripture. But I believe God rewards those who diligently seek Him and I am thankful for the questions you asked. The doubts you wrestled over. The fears you courageously expressed. The way your faith has been challenged and tested and grown. I want to invite you to join us in 2020 for another round. We will launch around January 5th in the new year with a chronological plan that will involve reading six days with Sundays off as we join together in corporate worship. Looking forward to it!
Readings for tomorrow: Zechariah 10-11, Revelation 18, Psalms 146, Proverbs 30:33