Listen

“Bless the Lord God of Israel because he has come to help and has delivered his people.

He has raised up a mighty savior for us in his servant David’s house, just as he said through the mouths of his holy prophets long ago.”

Luke 1:68-70

Think

My youngest son loves a good promise, but struggles with conditional statements. Somehow, whenever I say, “If you finish your homework, then we can go to the playground,” the words “if” and “then” magically disappear somewhere in the space between my mouth and his ears. Hours later, homework undone, “But you promised we would go to the playground!”

Unlike conditional statements, promises are precious precisely because they’re unconditional. How much more so when the promises come from God! As his miraculous son John entered the world, Zechariah couldn’t help but recognize one such promise coming true, proclaiming, “Just as [God] said!”

In a world of conditional hopes – if you can save enough money… if you get good enough grades… if the pandemic ends – it is easy to grow weary. But God’s promises offer us a sure and steady life preserver in the midst of our turbulent waters. Hear God’s promises, hold on to their sure hope, and rejoice when God comes through “just as God said.”

Dave McNeely

Pray

God, I thank you for your unconditional promises of love and hope that give me strength when I feel so helpless.

Grant me the eyes of Zechariah to see your promises fulfilled all around me and the courage to bear witness to your unfailing love in a world that is all too weary.

Amen.

Go

As your feet walk down the path of peace,

May your heart remain open to receive peace,

And your hands remain open to offer peace.

It’s d365 Appreciation Week. Each year we ask for your support by making a donation to d365. Your gifts allow us to continue to provide this ad-free, cost-free resource to people all over the world. To donate, please visit d365.org/aw.