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:
To be prompted by the Holy Spirit to remember your blessings
To see in all circumstances of life the work of God for your salvation
Text: Psalm 146:5
You are blessed no matter your circumstances
because the God of Jacob is your help.
—Pr. Golden
You may remember how we explored this word “blessed” back in November. Because God sustains all of creation, we can have our daily needs met. Things work together, fulfill their purpose. This is one core meaning of blessed: things working as they should.
But when they don’t—when illness intrudes, when conflict arrives, when finances aren’t sufficient, when community isn’t supportive—what then?
In this Advent time, when we hear stories of longing, of waiting, and of pleading, we can be comforted knowing that God has not abandoned us, not gone to a far country and left us alone to fend for ourselves. Our circumstances are not a sign that we are under God’s frown, for our Lord knows our circumstances. He who is Life has been born in death’s shadow, he who is Joy has experienced loss, he who is Love has been hated and reviled. In faith we can ask God to work in us in all circumstances, that he would shape us to reveal his glory and strengthen us as his sons and daughters.
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