Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them.
69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors,
and has remembered his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham,
to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies,
might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 By the tender mercy of our God,
the dawn from on high will break upon us,
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Reflect
I was sitting in my office at church one day and the phone rang. The gentleman on the other end told me that he was part of a religious group in town who were focused on teaching the “true word of God.” He said, “So many pastors and religious leaders have corrupted the message of Jesus, and it is time we stood up and protected God.” So, let me get this straight, the Creator of the universe, the One who knows all and is in all and can do all, needs me for a protector? I think we have the roles backwards. The language that Luke uses to describe God is powerful; God has “redeemed, looked favorably, saved us from our enemies, rescued us, given us light, guided us, etc.” Today let us not see our role as one who defends or protects God, if we do, today will be frustrating. But, today let us see God’s role as one who protects and defends us. Life can be harsh; people can be harsh and many times we feel like a punching bag. But let us remember as Peter said in his first letter, “We are being protected by the power of God.”
Pray
God, remind us this day, you are with us. Remind us this day that you need no protection but your protection is ever present with us. Amen.
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