Devotion for Dec. 7, 2011

December 7, 2011

Psalm  27; Luke 1: 5-17

“The Lord is our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear?” Psalm 27: 1

            Darkness is a universal human fear.  Imagine what comfort a fire must have been to our early ancestors.  Whether they were on the plains, in the jungle, or in the desert, some light in the darkness would have helped keep away the fear of unknown predators, as well as the predators themselves.

            It’s not a coincidence that Advent and Christmas come at the darkest time of the year.  We are waiting and watching through the darkness of the longest nights of the year.  Even though electric light is now overabundant and we need never be in literal darkness, we are still full of fear, doubt, and loneliness.  There is much to be fearful of in the modern world: financial trouble, relationship trouble, political trouble.  In spite of all the modern ways in which we can connect with one another, in many ways we are more disconnected and lonely than ever.  Even the Advent/Christmas season has been turned into a situation of stress and pressure to buy the right gifts at the lowest prices.

            Into this mess of loneliness, fear, and frenetic shopping comes a tiny baby, a little spark of light in the dark night.  Just as Zechariah and Elizabeth’s son, John, was born to prepare the way for his younger cousin Jesus, it is now our responsibility in 2011 to help prepare the world to hear the good news of Jesus.  The world still needs Jesus.  People that we know and see every day are waiting to have Jesus brought into their lives.  They are lonely, they are scared, and they are searching for meaning and acceptance.  It is our responsibility to reach out to them and show them the light shining in the darkness. 

Devotion for Nov. 17

Devotion

November 17, 2011

Psalm 95: 1-7a, Revelation 14: 1-11

“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving” Psalm 95: 2a (NRSV)

When I hear the word “thanksgiving,” I immediately think of the American holiday celebrated every November—Thanksgiving with a capital T.  Thanksgiving reminds me of my grandma and the happy holidays spent at her house as a child, eating her delicious homemade meals and playing board games with her and my cousins. 

Although I often give thanks to God, whether on my own, with my family, or during corporate worship, I rarely hear the word “thanksgiving” used without the capital letter.  I try to thank God frequently for my blessings, but this verse from Psalm 95 puts a different emphasis on it.  Usually I am giving thanks wherever I happen to be:  in the car, at school, at home, at church.  In other words, I interrupt what I’m doing, say my prayer of thanks, and then go back to whatever task or conversation I was previously involved in. 

What this verse invites us to do instead, is to slow down, stop the other distractions, and make an obvious entrance into the presence of God.  And not just come-as-you-are into His presence.  Come with an attitude of thanksgiving.  Come with a heart bursting with gratitude for each and every blessing we have received.  God the Father sacrificed his only Son for us.  As we come into His presence this Thanksgiving, let us strive to approach Him with hearts full of thanksgiving.