Today Daily Devotional

Zechariah asked . . . “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

— Luke 1:18

Zechariah and Elizabeth had grown old waiting for a child. But then one day, when Zechariah had an opportunity to burn incense in a holy, inner room of the temple, an angel of God appeared and said that their prayers had been heard. They would soon have a child!But it seemed too good to be true. Zechariah didn’t believe the message at first, so the angel told him he would not be able to speak anymore until the child was born.When we wait for a long time for something to happen, it’s easy to let our doubts and fears overshadow God’s promises. Sometimes we feel more secure in clinging to our sinful habits and our broken dreams. “You expect me to talk about what God is doing in my life? With people who know me all too well? No thanks,” we easily say, “not me.”In some ways the story of Christmas seems too good to be true. Can sinful human beings really have a relationship with the holy God? Can people searching for purpose in life really discover the call of God on their hearts?Yes! God promises that we too can be part of the story he is writing—about humanity being redeemed and restored to live in favor with the One who made heaven and earth.Thankfully, not even our doubts can cancel God’s plans. And, in Jesus, God comes into our world offering new life for us all! Can you believe it?

Lord, show us that your patience means salvation (2 Peter 3:9), and help us to believe your promises even when it seems to take a long time for them to be fulfilled. Amen.

They were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

— Luke 1:7

The Christmas story begins with broken dreams. Elizabeth and Zechariah had prayed fervently to have a child (see Luke 1:13), but God had not answered in the way they had hoped or expected. And being childless was not only personally disappointing; it also carried a social stigma in their culture. Now that they had grown old, Zechariah and Elizabeth had likely given up on their dream of ever having a child.Many of us come to Christmas with disappointments too. Our family life has turned out differently than we had hoped. We hold a job that provides little more than drudgery from day to day. We look around at our culture and lament the loss of important values and safety that we thought we could take for granted. We are confused and wonder if our prayers are even heard.But trying to do everything right, as Zechariah and Elizabeth did, does not mean our dreams will be fulfilled. The longing we sense here reflects a deeper longing for a relationship with God that was lost because of human sin.What’s more, if we have waited a long time, that doesn’t mean God is not at work. God knew Zechariah and Elizabeth’s situation. He knows the human condition. God knows each of our situations and our disappointments as well. At Christmas we can see how God works to restore his people—and that includes me and you!

Father, you know our hopes and dreams. Help us to trust that you are at work even in our long seasons of disappointment and waiting. Amen.

I . . . decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

— Luke 1:3-4

The Christmas story is familiar to many people throughout the world, wherever the message of Christ has spread. In various parts of our world today, though, the Christmas season has become a time when focusing on Jesus competes with shopping, holiday parties, and a frenzied rush.In the book of Luke, the story of Jesus begins with a reminder that can help us even today in our world of competing ideals. Luke writes to a reader called Theophilus (“friend of God”) so that this person may know deep-down that the story of Jesus is certain and true.God wants the Christmas story to inspire a kind of certainty in us. This is not intended to promote pride or superiority, as if to suggest that we know God better than anyone else. Instead, this is to instill wonder at the reality of the birth of Christ and what it means for the whole world (see John 3:16).Do you feel overwhelmed by the busyness of the Christmas season? Do the holidays remind you of stresses and hurts from the past that have not healed? In this season, turn again to the story of what God has “fulfilled among us”—the promise to provide a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. See how Jesus changes the lives of all who come into contact with him, and let his birth renew in you the certainty of God’s love for us all.

Spirit of God, thank you for sharing the story of Jesus with us. May the wonder of this story sink into our hearts, giving us certainty and hope in you. Amen.

When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son. . . .

— Galatians 4:4

Christmas can seem like a magical time for children. In our family we have several traditions that our children look forward to at this time of year. Especially when they were younger, it seemed to them like an awfully long time to wait for Christmas after putting up decorations in early December—particularly when presents under the tree caught their attention!For many long years, God’s people waited in hope for a Savior to come. God had given the people his law, filled with rules and guidelines about how to live as his people. But the law was not enough to bring the people closer to the Lord, and they longed for a deeper relationship. God also promised that he would raise up a leader from his people who would “do what is just and right” (see Jeremiah 23:5-6). And they learned that God would fill their hearts and minds with his will so that they could live more closely with him (see Jeremiah 31:33).It must have seemed like forever to wait for God to keep those promises. But the Bible tells us that this happened at just the right time. God sent his own Son, Jesus, into the world to fulfill the law so that all who would believe could be saved from sin and freed by his Spirit to live with him, sharing his love and grace with others.This Christmas, look for ways in which God’s Spirit is changing you because of Jesus’ birth.

Holy God, sometimes it seems hard to wait for you. But your timing is always right, and your promises are always rich! Help us wait faithfully for you, and make us your people in Christ. Amen.

“For their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors. . . . I am the Lord.”

— Leviticus 26:45

In Jesus’ parable of the lost son (Luke 15:11-24) we read of a young man who leaves home to seek adventures in wild living. Soon, however, his money runs out, and his life begins to unravel.Leviticus pointed God’s people to the joy of his presence in their lives. Yet in spite of all God had done to make it possible for them to live with him, God knew they would soon go looking for joy elsewhere. They would find his laws too burdensome, and they would spiral again into sin. The first part of our reading today warned the people that disobedience would lead to punishment and the withholding of God’s blessings. God’s aim in all this was not to inflict pain but to break down pride and stubbornness.Thankfully, God does not give up on his wayward children. God remembers his covenant promises, and he restores all who repent and ask for forgiveness. Perhaps you too have wandered away, and you have faced the consequences of sin in your own life. Perhaps your relationship with God is a long-past memory, and your present life is a mess.The young man in Jesus’ parable returns home, sorry for his wrongdoing, and he is surprised to be welcomed back with joy and grace by his loving father. Through faith in Jesus, we are guaranteed an even greater welcome home to our Father’s love!

Lord and God, thank you that, because of Jesus, we may come home to our true home with you! We thank and praise you for your kind mercy to us in Christ. Amen.

“If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, I will send you rain in its season, and the ground will yield its crops. . . .”

— Leviticus 26:3

When we are living in a right relationship with God, we can be assured of his blessing and favor. Our text in Leviticus today describes material, social, and economic favor that God gave his people as they lived in a right relationship with him.Many of us experience similar blessings. Our cupboards are filled with plenty for us to eat. We enjoy success in our work and stability in our homes and families. But even when that isn’t the case, we can count on God’s spiritual care. God keeps his promises to us and is always with us (see Matthew 28:20).We do well to remember always, though, that we are called to walk in obedience to God. While this cannot earn God’s love for us or earn us salvation, we experience more fully our enjoyment of God when we strive to walk in his ways. Walking with God fills us with joy and delight in his presence.There is no greater blessing than to live each day with the Lord, who loves us more than we can imagine (Ephesians 3:16-21). In Leviticus, God reminds his people that he redeemed them in order to live among them. This is true for us today as well! At the cross, Jesus freed us from our slavery and guilt in sin so that we can walk with him, delighting in his presence and living with thankfulness each day for him.

Father, you have redeemed us to be your treasured possession. Help us to live in gratitude to you each day. Show us the joy of obedience to you! In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

“One of their relatives may redeem them: An uncle or a cousin or any blood relative in their clan may redeem them.”

— Leviticus 25:48-49

A friend asked, “Why can’t God just forgive our sins without the cross?” Why did Jesus have to suffer and give up his life for us? The answer is in today’s reading. When a family’s crop failed for years in a row, they might have to sell property, or even a family member, to satisfy debts that could pile up (Leviticus 25:23-55). Fortunately God’s law allowed other family members to pay off their debts, releasing them from their obligations.These laws show how we can owe a debt that we cannot repay. If someone hurts me, either I will try to make them pay by inflicting harm on them, or else I will pay by absorbing the cost. Likewise, when we violate God’s law, we create a debt that someone must pay, and either we or God will have to pay it. Jesus explains this in Mark 10:45 when he says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus not only pays our ransom; he becomes the ransom. His suffering and death are the payment for our debt!This means we are now free! Years ago, a young family was buried under crippling debt—medical bills, unexpected car repairs, a mortgage, and student loans. When a charitable organization paid off their debt, their entire present and future changed! In comparison, Jesus has done so much more—saving all who believe in him to live with him forever!

Lord Jesus, we are eternally thankful for all you have done for us. May we live faithfully in the freedom you have won for us. Amen.

“Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land.”

— Leviticus 25:18

Homelessness is a growing problem in my city, and the causes are many: poverty, addiction, mental illness, poor personal choices, and more. All of these can be tied to the cosmic problem of sin—the effects of sin leech into every nook of society, wreaking social, psychological, and spiritual havoc everywhere.This was also the case in ancient Israel. Generational debt could cripple a family, forcing them to sell long-held family land, or even forcing a family into a kind of slavery. But then every 50 years, the trumpet would sound, and social and economic burdens would be rolled back. During the year of Jubilee, land debts were erased, property was restored, and the people were to rest from their labors, trusting in God to provide everything they needed. Does this sound idealistic? In a way, it was.There is no record in the Bible that Israel ever celebrated the Year of Jubilee. The law commanded it, and prophets proclaimed it, but the people may never have enjoyed the blessings of this great gift from God.When Jesus began his ministry, he read from Isaiah 61 and declared a new Jubilee. His work on the cross would deal with the problems of our world at the deepest level—he would pay the penalty for sin and destroy the devil’s work in this world. Because of Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection, Jubilee is possible—and one day, when he returns, it will be realized fully for all who trust in him!

Lord Jesus, thank you for all you have done to free us from sin. Help us to live in the hope of your Jubilee. Amen.

“I tell you, do not resist an evil person.”

— Matthew 5:39

Have you ever wanted revenge? Maybe a colleague stole credit for your hard work, or you were blamed for someone else’s wrongdoing. Or if someone hurt you with their words or actions, it’s natural to want to even the score. We rarely stop there, however; usually we want revenge plus interest. This can lead to a vicious cycle that can tear apart families, fracture communities, and even destroy nations.Today’s passage in Leviticus applies the law from the story we read yesterday, and it reminds us of two things. First, all who are part of God’s covenant people are bound by the requirements of the covenant, whether they were born into God’s people or not. Justice applies to everyone. And, second, God’s law limits what we may seek from people who have wronged us: “an eye for an eye” (and no more). For example, if you injure or kill your neighbor’s animal, they may take one of your animals from you, but not two. Justice, properly practiced, has limits.Jesus, however, challenges us further—to extend kindness even to people who have hurt us. In fact, that’s what God has done for us! Rather than treat us as our sins deserve by demanding our life from us, the Lord extends mercy to us in Christ, who gave up his own life for our sake. When we see how God has gone the extra mile to show us mercy, we can “turn . . . the other cheek” to people who have wronged us.

Gracious God, though we have sinned, you have answered with mercy, and we are eternally thankful. Help us to live by your way of mercy toward everyone. In Jesus, Amen.

“Anyone who blasphemes the name of the Lord is to be put to death.”

— Leviticus 24:16

This is a difficult story. Two men get into a fight. Tempers flare, and shouting erupts. One of the men invokes God’s name as a curse, clearly defying God’s command not to blaspheme the Lord. What should be done?God’s name is not for our casual use to express shock or anger or amusement. It’s not something we can invoke to support our favorite political or social causes. Of course, we also should be careful about flippantly saying “God told me this or that.”The way we handle God’s name shapes the way we view God’s character. If we treat God’s name as a punchline, we will not take God seriously. If we invoke God’s name to prop up our political or social positions, God becomes little more than a good luck charm. But when we use God’s name with reverence and awe, we will find that we honor God—as the Lord deserves. The man in this story failed to see that, and although it’s difficult to imagine, he paid the ultimate penalty for his sin.Many years later, Jesus was (wrongly) accused of blasphemy and was eventually put to death. But what good news for us! Jesus was condemned so that all of our misuse of God’s name—every way in which we dishonor God by our words and actions—would be forgiven. Now God graciously entrusts his name to us so that we may call upon it for salvation!

Lord Jesus, help us to honor the sanctity of your name in the way we speak and live. May we only use your name to glorify you. Amen.