Day of Praise

Sa, 12/21/13, "Day of Praise"

Proverbs 16:9 - "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."

Yesterday, I heard people talking about after-Christmas-sales. I tend to remember advertising jingles from my childhood, and the after-Christmas-sales talk reminded me of this 1970's jingle: "Everything you wanted but didn't get for Christmas is on sale now at Sears."

I wonder how God feels about this spirit of "zip past Christmas to get all we want."
Actually, we all know how God feels. Or do we?

In today's verse, God is telling us that He's not mad at us but that He's determined to give us far more than our hearts are set on. Like yesterday, in addition to the after-Christmas-sale talk, I also heard someone speak of their confidence in God to provide. They said they have no family to speak of but that every year they stumble into things they need that others are throwing out. For example, one year for Christmas they got new slippers that a neighbor kid didn't want. Another year, they got a ridiculous deal on a car because someone didn't like the color. In sum, their heart was not set on stuff; it was set on the Lord. And the Lord knew how to provide for them.

Just as God knows how to provide for you.

Look for Christ at Christmas. And you'll see Him as the greatest Gift and Giver.

Praise God!


Pastor Chris
"The gospel is the story of Jesus [what God's only Son has done for us that we can't do for ourselves], spoken as a promise." - Robert Jenson