The Lighthouse Devotional
Author: a WLCN Contributor
SCRIPTURE VERSE
“Let them give thanks to the Lord for His unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind” (Ps 107: 8 NIV).
PERSONAL REFLECTION
When anyone asks me, “How are you?” I like to answer, “I am blessed and very thankful.” My answer is not some cliché but an honest assessment of my current situation. Everything is not perfect, but as a Christian, I want to be obedient and to be in alignment with the will of God: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18).
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
God had allowed King Nebuchadnezzar to take Israel captive into the land of Babylon as punishment for disobedience to Him. David wrote Psalm 107 as a thankful response to God’s restoration of Israel from Babylonian exile. Similarly, humankind should thank God for the innumerable things He has done to satisfy our physical needs and restore our spiritual need for a relationship with Him.
From the time of Adam’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, humanity has been in exile from God and had to perform animal sacrifices to atone for sin repeatedly. The animal sacrifices were never enough to pay the price for sin. Therefore, God demonstrated His unfailing love toward humankind by sacrificing His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, whose shed blood at Calvary fully atoned for sin: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Cor 15:22).
If a man turns away from a path of sin and accepts God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, then he will commence an extraordinary relationship with God.
EXHORTATION
For what do I need to thank God? I would say for everything because our existence is futile without God. He gives us victory over sin and death and eternal life in the presence of God. O, what a day that will be!
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and providing for our physical and spiritual needs. We especially thank you for making it possible for us to enjoy eternal life in your presence. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.