As a part of our Advent observances at Grace, we are making use of Concordia Publishing’s Behold the Child materials for worship. Our web devotions through Christmas will be guided by Pastor Kevin Golden’s devotional booklet written in support of the Behold the Child theme (you may purchase a downloadable copy of Pr. Golden’s book by following this link).
Prayer Pointers:
For the prosperity of your neighbors
For God’s protection and care
Text: Psalm 72:3
Prosperity flows forth from [the mount of] Calvary, where the Fall was defeated. –Pr. Golden
THE CITY OF JERUSALEM is notable for possessing two things that would have made for prosperity in the ancient world. The first is that it is rests at the southern tip of a chain of low mountains which provide an ideal natural defense and bulwark; the second is that the city was at the juncture of several important roads that allowed people and goods to travel between the fertile lands of Egypt on the Nile to the southwest and the various empires that nestled between the Euphrates and the Tigris to the northeast.
It is easy to understand how the city became symbolic of Israel’s God who was at the same time a strong fortress and protector and the source of blessing and good fortune.
We also experience God’s blessing in daily life, the prosperity that comes from the nature of his creative work. Yet, having been brought close to God by Jesus, we have received promises of our Heavenly Father’s care and comfort that exceed what earth may supply. A mighty fortress is he, a bulwark never failing! In him we prosper, in him we are blessed no matter what “fortune” may bring.
May you live in Advent hope ~ Pr. Dave Brooks
--Quoted materials are from Behold the Child Daily Devotions #12-4563
© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Used with permission under license 20:12-1. www.cph.org