January 26

Morning

Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? — Matt 6:26 BSB

God's people are doubly His children. First, we are His creation, and second, we are His children by adoption through Christ. Because of this, we have the privilege to call Him, "Our Father in heaven."

Father! Oh, what a precious word that is!

In it, there is authority: “If I am a Father, where is My honor?” If we are His children, where is our obedience?

In it, there is affection mixed with authority—an authority that doesn't provoke rebellion, but an obedience joyfully given. The obedience of God's children is a loving obedience. We don't serve God like slaves serve their master. No, we run eagerly in the way of His commands because it’s the way our Father leads us. We offer our lives as instruments of righteousness because that's our Father's will, and His will should be ours.

Father! Here is a kingly attribute wrapped in love. His crown as King is hidden in the tenderness of His face, and His scepter is not a rod of iron but one of mercy. The scepter seems to disappear in the tender hand of the One who wields it.

Father! Here is both honor and love. Think about the great love a father has for his children! What friends cannot do and mere kindness will not attempt, a father's heart and hand will do for his children. They are his, and so he blesses them. They are his offspring, and so he protects them. If an earthly father watches over his children with constant love and care, how much more does our heavenly Father?

Abba, Father! To be able to say these words is more beautiful than any song sung by angels. There is heaven in that word—Father! It contains all we could ever ask for, all we need, and all we could hope for. When we can say, “Father,” we have everything we need, for all eternity.

Evening

And all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. — Luke 2:18 BSB

We should never stop being amazed by the marvelous works of our God. In fact, it’s hard to tell where wonder ends and worship begins. When our souls are overwhelmed by the majesty of God’s glory, we may not sing a song or even speak a word of prayer, yet our hearts silently adore Him. Our incarnate God is truly “Wonderful.”

Think about it—God saw humanity in its fallen state, and instead of sweeping us away in judgment, He chose to redeem us at great personal cost. He paid the price to set us free, and that is indeed marvelous! But for each believer, this redemption becomes even more personal. It’s a miracle of grace that Jesus would leave His throne in heaven to suffer for you! Let your soul be filled with wonder, for wonder is a practical emotion. Holy wonder leads to grateful worship and thanksgiving. It prompts careful living—you’ll be afraid to sin against such amazing love.

When you sense God’s presence in the gift of His Son, you will approach Him with reverence. Like Moses at the burning bush, you’ll remove your shoes, recognizing that you stand on holy ground. At the same time, you’ll be filled with great hope. If Jesus has already done such amazing things for you, then no blessing is too great to expect from Him. Once you’ve been astonished by the manger and the cross, nothing else can surprise you. What could be more wonderful than the Savior Himself?

Dear reader, even if you live a quiet, solitary life, you can still worship like the shepherds at Bethlehem. You can join the chorus of worshipers before the throne, marveling at what God has done.