December 23

Morning

But when you are invited, go and sit in the last place, so that your host will come and tell you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in front of everyone at the table with you. — Luke 14:10 BSB

When the life of grace first begins in the soul, we do indeed approach God, but it is with great fear and trembling. Conscious of our guilt and humbled by it, we are overwhelmed by the majesty of Jehovah in whose presence we stand. Our sense of unworthiness casts us down into the dust, and we take the lowest place with sincere humility. Yet as the Christian grows in grace, though they never lose the holy reverence due to God, their fear is transformed. What was once a trembling dread is replaced by a holy awe and respect, free from terror.

The believer is called to draw closer to God in Christ Jesus. As they grow, they walk in the splendor of God's presence, veiling their face like the cherubim, but with the assurance of the blood and righteousness of Christ. Now, the believer approaches God, not only as the Almighty but as the God of love, goodness, and mercy. They begin to see more of His covenant character—His love, goodness, and grace—than just His majesty. Thus, even while bowing humbly before His greatness, the believer enjoys a sacred liberty in prayer, aware of the abundant mercy and love that envelops them in Christ.

As we are called higher into deeper fellowship with God, we grow in the privilege of rejoicing in Him and drawing near with holy confidence, calling Him "Abba, Father."

“So may we go from strength to strength,
And daily grow in grace,
Until in Your image raised at length,
We see You face to face.”

Evening

The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun. — Ps 74:16 BSB

Yes, Lord, You do not relinquish Your throne when the sun sets. You do not abandon the world to darkness throughout the long winter nights, leaving it to be preyed upon by evil. Your watchful eyes remain upon us, shining like the stars, and Your arms encircle us like the zodiac wraps around the sky. Even the dews of peaceful sleep and the moon’s quiet influence are under Your control, as are the fears and uncertainties of the night.

This truth is sweet comfort to me when I lie awake in the midnight hours or when I toss and turn in pain. Just as there are fruits of blessing brought forth by the sun, so too are there precious gifts granted by the moon. May my Lord make me a partaker of these nighttime mercies.

The night of affliction is no less under the Lord’s loving care than the bright days of joy. Jesus is present in the storm, and His love covers the night like a cloak, though to the eye of faith, the darkness is no disguise at all. From the first watch of the night until the dawn, the eternal Watcher keeps vigil over His saints, working through the shadows and dews of midnight for their highest good. We do not believe in rival powers of good and evil battling for control, but rather, we hear the voice of Jehovah declaring, "I create light and I create darkness; I, the Lord, do all these things!"

Even in times of religious decline and societal sin, God’s sovereign plan is at work. When the altars of truth are defiled, and the ways of the Lord seem forsaken, His servants may weep in sorrow, but they should not lose hope. The darkest seasons are still governed by the Lord, and they will come to an end when He commands. What may seem like defeat to us may, in fact, be victory in His eyes.