As I write this morning, the striking winter sun is filtering through the tree branches and casting warmth through the window of my home office. Yet the small lot of woods that backs up to our property looks rather gray, lifeless…almost barren. If it were not for the radiant sunlight I may have looked at the stale, cold atmosphere with despair. But now the sun and all its full light is there. And although I can’t see much life in the reeds, branches, and snow-covered grasses of Michigan right now, I know that the sun, according to God’s design, will continue to shine and intensify as the weeks pass into months and winter will not be the end.
Perhaps this is why I enjoy all four seasons so much. Each turn of the calendar reminds us of the everlasting, never-stopping lovingkindness of the Triune God. Through change and motion, joy and suffering, fruit and harvest, light and darkness, God is never ceasing in His love and faithfulness toward us.
When we are driven by life’s hurts and pains and tears to doubt God’s goodness…
When we are tempted to think there is a limit to His love…
His creation sings out an anthem to remind us that He is still God and always present. Really. We can believe that today.
Let’s slow down for 60 seconds and worship together…Psalm 136:1-9 points us to look at who He is through the spectrum of His creation:
Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the God of gods, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
To Him who alone does great wonders, for His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the heavens with skill, for His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His lovingkindness is everlasting;
To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting:
The sun to rule by day, for His lovingkindness is everlasting,
The moon and stars to rule by night, for His lovingkindness is everlasting.
My Prayer Today…
Oh Lord of glory, the One who spoke and it was good and it was done, the One who loves us, guides us, chastens us, and blesses us with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places which are in Christ Jesus, to You be all glory and honor and praise. Renew our hope today in Your steadfast and unchanging love. Strengthen our faith through Your Word by the Spirit in the face of temptation, doubt, and cultural uncertainty.
We confess our sins to You…and cling to the promise of forgiveness and grace in Christ. Thank you for chastening us as a loving and good Father. Guide us with passion and vigor for Your mission. May the message and mercy of Jesus the Son be heard and displayed through our lives today and throughout this new year, to the praise of Your glory and grace.
Through Christ our Redeemer, I pray, Amen.
