Advent Devotion: Day 27

Friday, December 23

2 Samuel 7:18, 23-29; Galatians 3:6-14

Have you turned on the news lately? Have you listened to the conflicting messages our politicians are sending us from Washington? Who is telling us the truth? Whom should we believe? What should we believe? Fortunately for all of us, the truth is in God’s Word.

While all of this political activity is going on in the world, it is comforting to know that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, are blessed by God. In 2 Samuel, King David shared his prayer: “Who am I, Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7:18). David wanted to thank God by building a temple for God. But David soon discovers that God wants to bless David by establishing David’s kingdom for him and the people whom God redeemed from Egypt and providing a house for David. David praises God for these blessings and acknowledges that these blessings are everlasting.

In Galatians, we are told that God rewarded Abraham simply because of Abraham’s faith in God. “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith” (Galatians 3:8-9). Verse 14 gives us more great news: “He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

The good news from all of this is that we don’t need to watch the news or listen to our political leaders to find out what is best for us. To be saved, we simply have to have faith in God and believe that Jesus died to forgive our sins. What a great present from God. Hallelujah!

Heavenly Father, thank you so much for all of the wonderful blessings that you have chosen to bestow upon us. Thank you for a strong faith that makes us faithful to you and to believe that Jesus Christ is our personal savior. Thank you for this Advent season and the anticipation that Jesus is coming soon. We love you, Lord. Amen.

Gary Smith
Chair, Board of Trustees