Luke 1:78 …because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven….
My students are sometimes very resistant to taking chances, especially when it comes to reading poetry. Many are often quick to respond, “I just don’t get it,” without even trying. So I encourage them to focus on what they do understand or on images and phrases that resonate with them or that remind them of something in their own lives. I often take a similar approach when I am reading scripture, and in Luke 1:78, the line “the tender mercy of our God” is one that resonates deeply.
Lam 3:22 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end….
I often talk about God’s fierce love of His children, His unending mercy, His unfathomable grace for us, but to think of “the tender mercy of our God” feels entirely different in the best possible way. God is not only mighty and fierce, He is tender and gentle, like the newborn Savior, wrapped in swaddling clothing and lying in a manger.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for scripture that speaks of Your tender mercies, and for lines of scripture that resonate deeply. Thank You for Your strength and Your gentleness and for Your precious Son, born in a stable, wrapped in swaddling clothing, who has come to redeem us all. Help us to prepare our hearts for Him. Draw us closer. Amen.
Lam 3:22-23 The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.
Have a blessed day.
Fruitful labor …. (devo reflection)
Phil 1:22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me….
This section of Philippians popped up in two separate readings today. The Advent devotional from my church asked the questions: What is fruitful labor for you? How do you know it is fruitful? The little smug side of me thought: I’ve got this. Fruitful labor is writing these devo reflections every morning and being deemed a successful (read “good”) teacher. But the part of me that’s struggling so right now begged me to explore this idea further.
Habakkuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.
I want to define myself in terms of my Savior, in terms of my relationship with Him, in terms of my praise and faithfulness, regardless of my circumstances. That means rejoicing in the LORD always, even when I’m slogging through the slimy pits of life, even when I feel low and unworthy and distant. Fruitful labor would be rejoicing in Him, always, instead of wallowing in my circumstances. Jesus, Help me.
Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this idea if fruitful labor. Thank You for the strides I’ve made in rejoicing always and for the knowledge that I still have work to do. Thank You for the assurance that You are with me, making a way, even when I can’t yet perceive it. Draw me closer. Let Your praise be ever on my lips. Amen.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the LORD always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Have a blessed day.
God’s tender mercy…. (devo reflection)
John 16:32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.”
I am a strong introvert, which means that large crowds and lots of people drain me. I recharge best either by myself or with a small number of family or close friends. But the idea of facing trials alone is daunting, even for the introverts among us. That’s why I’m so thankful for the reassurances in today’s verses that our precious Savior is always with us, even when we feel physically alone.
Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Sometimes life is just difficult. And whether we are slogging through a health crisis, a difficult time with loved ones, or our own melancholy and loss, there are times when, even when we are surrounded by people, we feel utterly alone. But with God, we are not alone. He is always with us, guiding us, shielding us, comforting us. Thank You, Jesus.
Luke 1:78 Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your tender mercy and fierce love of us. Thank You for the assurance that even when we feel utterly alone, You are always with us, guiding us, loving us, fighting for us. Lord, There are so many struggling and hurting this season. Help us to shine Your light, to help them see that You are with us and that they are not alone. Draw us closer. Amen.
Psalm 118:6 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
Have a blessed day.
My dwelling place…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 90:1 …Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Sometimes I read a verse of scripture and think, “Of course. That makes perfect sense. Why didn’t I think of that sooner?” And so it is with today’s verse. The Lord is my dwelling place. Of course. That makes perfect sense. But this verse also prompts me to ask, “Am I living this way? Do I dwell in the Lord, or do I just visit with Him?”
Col 1:16 For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth….All things were created through Him and for Him.
I want my Savior to be my center. I want to dwell in Him and linger with Him. I want to be so entwined with Him that the world can’t tell where He ends and I begin. Lord, show me how to live like that.
Col 1:17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for the desire to know You better and to dwell in You. This world wants to be my center. This world wants me so wrapped up in it that I don’t have time for You, but I know there is no future in that path. I choose You, Lord. Be my dwelling place. Be my center. Be my breath, my hope, my everything. Show me how, Lord. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 71:3 Be my rock of refuge, where I can always go. Give the command to save me, for You are my rock and my fortress.
Have a blessed day.
Overflowing with hope…. (devo reflection)
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, Thank You for hope, for the ability to look at any given situation as something that can be used by You for my good and Your glory. Thank You for scripture such as this one, which reminds me of the hope I have in You. Thank You for the expectant hope of this Advent season. Help me to overflow with hope as I wait.
Romans 5:2 Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into the grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Lord, Thank You for my faith and trust in You and in Your Son and for the grace in which I stand. Thank You for a thousand little things daily that give me hope and point me back to You. Thank You for the ability to be salt and light to others as we slog through this life.
Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
Lord, Thank You for these verses of scripture and for knowing me intimately. Thank You for the plans You have for my life and for Your willingness and ability to use everything for my good and Your glory. In this season of expectant hope, help me to view the world around me with Your eyes. Help me to look in awe and wonder at this world You have created. Draw me closer to You. Amen.
Psalm 71:5 For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.
Have a blessed day.
The season of Advent…. (devo reflection)
Luke 21:34 “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with…the anxieties of life, and that day will come on you suddenly like a trap.”
We are now officially in the season of Advent, a time of preparation and expectation. Our Savior is coming! One of the truths my sweet Savior has laid on my heart this morning is that no matter the “anxieties of life” weighing me down, I need to live the expectant hope of my faith—Christ is coming! Hallelujah!
2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief….
This is a sad season for me, and this year seems harder than most. But the lessons my Savior has laid on my heart in the last 24 hours deal with anticipation and rejoicing. This world is not my home. I have the promise and hope of an eternal home that is beyond this world. I feel a bit like I’ve been metaphorically shaken by the lapels and told, “Snap out of it! Quit moping! Jesus is coming! Get ready! Anticipate! Celebrate! Rejoice!” Thank You, Jesus.
Luke 21:28 “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your reminder to stand tall and lift my head because You, my redemption, are drawing near. Thank You for the reminder that even though it is sometimes hard to focus on joy during this season, that it is indeed a joyful time. Thank You for reminding me of the hope and promise of this Advent season. You are coming. Hallelujah! Draw me closer. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Have a blessed day.
Drawing closer…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 25:1-2 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in You I trust….
Lord, I know Your fierce love for me, and I know that You know exactly where I am–heart, mind, and soul. I know You can use any circumstance for my good and Your glory. Help me to cling to You, to draw closer to You, regardless of my feelings or circumstances.
Psalm 25:4 Make me to know Your ways, O LORD; teach me Your paths.
I do not doubt Your truth or Your love, Lord, and I know that I can trust Your ways, even when I am uncertain. Help me to take the next step and the next and the next in faith, Lord, trusting where You lead me. Guide me, one step at a time.
Psalm 25:5 Lead me in Your truth, and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all day long.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this opportunity to lean into You and trust You. Thank You for this season of Advent, of anticipation and preparation. Renew my spirit, Lord. Shine Your light and Your love on my soul. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 25:6 Be mindful of Your mercy, O LORD, and of Your steadfast love….
Have a blessed day. I
Renew my spirit…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
As I write this reflection, there is a light fog outside, and I have a dull headache. These two occurrences seem a fitting analogy for where I seem to be currently. For as long as I have been taking time in the mornings to talk with my Savior, I have felt His presence with me keenly. By the time I finish my reading and prayer time, my reflection has usually written itself. It truly often feels like He writes them for me. It’s a hard sensation to describe but a beautiful thing to be a part of.
Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me away from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
But lately I’ve felt this sense of separation, a light fog, a dull ache, that seems to separate me from that easy relationship with my Savior. He’s still with me—I know because He has promised to never leave me—but that feeling of ease and companionship isn’t currently there, and I miss it terribly.
Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the ability to recognize that You are still with me, that You still love me fiercely, even when things feel so off. The holidays are hard, Lord, the hiking trip is looming, the stress at work is certainly in full force. There are so many things that could explain why I feel this separation, but what I desperately want is a restored relationship with You. I want to feel Your presence with me daily. I want that easy relationship we have shared for so long. Help me, Lord, to realign myself with You. Draw me closer. Renew my spirit. Amen.
Psalm 46:10 …”Be still, and know that I am God….”
Have a blessed day.
Arrogant and stiff-necked…. (devo reflection)
Nehemiah 9:16-17a “But they, our ancestors, became arrogant and stiff-necked, and they did not obey Your commands. They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles You performed among them….
Lord, Forgive me for the many, many times I have become arrogant and stiff-necked, refusing to listen. Forgive me for all those times I’ve failed to remember the miracles, mercies, and blessings You have performed in my life. Forgive me when I get so caught up in my own plan or my own way that I fail to seek or to follow Your will.
Nehemiah 9:17c …But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore You did not desert them….
Lord, Thank You for loving me, even through my arrogance and rebellion. Thank You for Your continued provision, even when I deserve to stew in the mess I’ve created. Thank You for never turning Your back on me, even when I’ve turned my back on You.
Nehemiah 9:19 Because of Your great compassion You did not abandon them in the wilderness.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this reminder of Your love and provision always. Help me to consciously seek You daily. Help me to be mindful of Your blessings, even in my hardships. Help me to shed this arrogant, willful, rebellious shell and seek You and follow You with all that I have and all that I am. Draw me closer. Amen.
Nehemiah 9:21 For forty years You sustained them in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen.
Have a blessed day.
Darkness and light…. (devo reflection)
Psalm 139:12 Even the darkness is not dark to You; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with You.
When I walked up my driveway last night to take my trash to the road, I was struck by how dark it seemed. Indeed, as I headed up, I was walking by memory instead of by sight because it was too dark to see. Gradually my eyes adjusted, and I realized that what had at first felt like total darkness was actually full of light, and while it never seemed as bright as day, I realized that there was plenty of light to guide my way.
Luke 1:79 “…to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
And again at bedtime, when I snapped off the light, I was met with total, inky darkness. It felt so absolute, but as I stilled, as my eyes adjusted, sources of light to break up the darkness became plentiful, and the absolute darkness dissolved.
Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for the lessons of darkness and light. Thank You for Your presence and guidance, even when it feels I’m stumbling alone in darkness. Thank You for Your word and for the people You have placed in my life to help guide me on my way. Help me to shine Your light to help guide others. Draw us closer. Amen.
Eph 5:8 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light….
Have a blessed day.