What Are You Thankful For?
Reign of Christ Sunday
SUNDAY, November 26
Zephaniah 3:7-13
For some reason the flow of this text reminds me of raising children. It begins with great hope and optimism, which give way to reality and rebellion, which naturally demand consequences. Yet love prevails, and redemption and restoration follow.
Zephaniah’s vision of God’s presence offers both judgment and joy. One is deserved while the other is all grace—and the expectation is that in the final analysis there will be a response that brings a new way of life whereby people begin to relate to God and one another in humble gratitude as they live justly and speak honestly. Three days after a Thanksgiving holiday that includes a variety of themes, this grand reversal of judgment to mercy and new life begs the question of the faithful—what are you thankful for? The mundane and temporary, or the extravagant and eternal grace of our loving God?
Dear Lord, may your grace always prevail in my life. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: PASTORS AND CHAPLAINS
Recombobulated
MONDAY, November 27
Zephaniah 3:14-20
Most of us are familiar with the hassle of putting oneself back together after going through airport security. At the Milwaukee, Wisconsin, airport the visitor is welcomed with a light touch by a sign reading “Recombobulation Area.” This infers of course that one has been discombobulated in the first place.
That is an apt description of Israel as Zephaniah depicts God’s condemnation of the whole earth at the outset of his book. Judgment and devastation seem certain—and yet by the end all is good news as condemnation, enemies, and disaster are removed so that joy and fearlessness might reign. It seems things have fallen into place so that what has been threatened or lost is restored—land, fortune, people. Isn’t it great when things get put back even better than before?
In our own hopeful, joyful, fearless living may lessons be learned, grace generously reflected, and the future become more observant of God than in the past.
Dear Lord, thank you for providing the way back. AMEN.
I Will
TUESDAY, November 28
Ezekiel 34:11-22
Somewhere around the age of two my children and grandchildren all began to more frequently insist that “I do it myself,” which sometimes resulted in spilled milk or food or very interesting combinations of apparel. It is the best way to learn of course, but mistakes will be made.
The rulers of Israel had been making mistakes for generations. Like any parent who has reached their limit, God says, “Time out—I will. I will search for my sheep. I will sort them out. I will rescue them. I will bring back the strays, strengthen the weak, make them lie down, and I will feed them with justice.” God was done entrusting his flock to those who abused their authority and power for self-gain. The same issues still plague humanity, but God still cares, and God will judge—sheep by sheep.
Good Shepherd, strengthen our faith in your loving care and your will for justice. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: THE WORK OF COVENANT GLOBAL PERSONNEL
In the Meantime
WEDNESDAY, November 29
Psalm 95:1-7
Often the first Sunday in Advent comes immediately after Thanksgiving and there is little breathing room between the end of one holiday and the beginning of the next. This year we get a break in the action, and sometimes that presents a temptation to let everything slide.
Yet the psalmist reminds us that God calls out to us here and now to worship, to sing songs of exuberant praise, and to remember the mighty acts of our Creator God throughout history. And then, just in case we missed it, we are invited a second time!
Before we’ve had the opportunity—or even the necessity—to repent, confess, and seek to be worthy, God invites us to worship, with yet another reminder that we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. O that today we would listen to his voice indeed!
Good Shepherd, may your praise be always on our lips. AMEN.
Clueless
THURSDAY, November 30
Matthew 25:31-46
A boy fell into a river and many means were futilely employed to reach him. Finally someone shouted, “Somebody go in and get him.” We can’t say we care and stay safe on shore—or hidden in church, or huddled in our small group, or satisfied with our good thoughts. Not if we really care.
As Jesus journeys closer to the cross he has been telling parables of the kingdom of heaven. It’s like this—it’s like that. In today’s passage there are no metaphors as he brings us directly into the throne room of heaven where the scene is a trial. It is judgment day with two groups who are clueless as to why they have been judged the way they have. One group is surprised by their neglect, the other by their pat on the back. It’s who they simply are, perhaps by habit, perhaps by default. If by our actions we are our own message, what do people see and what of Jesus do we convey?
Dear Father, touch our hearts to show the love of Christ. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS
High Hopes
FRIDAY, December 1
Ephesians 1:15-23
I’m old enough to remember Frank Sinatra’s 1959 song “High Hopes,” with one line that said, “But he’s got high hopes, he’s got high hopes, he’s got high apple-pie-in-the-sky hopes.” At times we confuse pie-in-the-sky wishful thinking with the concept of biblical hope, which refers to confident expectation and future certainty.
Writing to the Ephesian church, Paul prays that they would know the hope to which God has called them. Paul is talking about a knowing that is tied to resurrection, a hope that is bound together with the life of the risen Christ. Paul wants them to understand that it is the power of Christ in us to accomplish his work—not someday, but also right now.
What are you hoping for? Who helps you hope when hope is difficult? How does hope call you to see the possibilities of the here and now?
Heavenly Father, renew a spirit of hope and assurance within us. AMEN.
Heavenly Joy
SATURDAY, December 2
Psalm 100
One might imagine after three hours of worship with hundreds jam-packed together in 95-degree heat with high humidity, that joy would begin to wane. But you would be mistaken—at least if you happened to be with our Covenant brothers and sisters in DR Congo. Even the offering takes 30 minutes as people sing and dance their way to the offering baskets in front. Joy is palpable and authentic in a way I’ve rarely encountered.
In a place with many needs and in a world of war, inequity, starvation, and disease it seems somewhat dissonant that joy and thanksgiving would display themselves so radically. What a humbling reminder that indeed the Lord is good, and his steadfast love endures—not only forever—but in all situations.
Whatever our context, it is a lifegiving thing to live with an attitude of joy and gladness, praise, and gratitude. Where does your deepest joy come from? And what do you empower to steal it away?
Dear Father, encourage our attention to joy and thanksgiving. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: THOSE WHO ARE PERSECUTED FOR THEIR BELIEFS
