Wednesday, December 14: Scripture – 1 Chronicles 16:35-36
35 Say also,
“Save us, O God of our salvation,
and gather and rescue us from among the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise.
36 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.”
Then all the people said “Amen!” and praised the Lord.
This comes from David’s Song of Praise and it seems more fitting for last month when we were celebrating thankfulness, not advent and the preparation for the baby in a manger. But after sitting with this text for many days, something came to me: are we only to give thanks and praise for God’s unwavering faithfulness during the month of November? Are we to only “count our blessings” when social media announces it’s a month of gratitude? Of course, not! David knew this.
While Advent is the time we have to prepare ourselves for the coming of God’s son, David reminds us that God has been worthy of our praise all along – even before the birth of a baby in a manger. God has promised good things to those who believe in Him and in return we offer our thanks and praise all year. Long after the manger is empty and the cross is looming, we must remember His grace and overwhelming blessings. Our Glory comes from the risen Christ and while Advent is the time to prepare for His coming, God has been with us since the beginning and He will be with us until that day comes when He makes all things new, for all eternity.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this time of preparation, for thanksgiving, for your continued grace and mercy. Help us to remember you are with us always, in all circumstances. Bless be to God. Amen.
Jennifer Brindisi