Daily Devotionals
December 11, 2017
All the Days of My Life
December 11, 2017
DAILY READING
This weekend’s reading: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
FIELD NOTES
The singer of this psalm calls upon the Lord as “light…salvation…and stronghold…whom shall I fear?” And then, “One thing I asked of the Lord…to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.”
Why would that be the one thing after which his heart longs?
Perhaps this was a pilgrim on the way to the Temple, anticipating the visit. The house of the Lord offered protection, provision, and, mostly, the presence of God. Sanctuary. And the pilgrim (or the worshiper in the Temple) wanted to dwell there always.
What did the shepherds sing on the way to the manger stall? Were they aware that they were, indeed, going to the house of the Lord? Did they have any idea where they were going or exactly what they would find there? A baby, a young couple, some hay, maybe some cattle, a few angels? Were they reluctant to leave when it was time to go?
Perhaps what they found was the Lord’s presence, a sense of the Lord’s provision, even protection. And certainly, without knowing it, they were in the presence of light and salvation and strength. All in the promise of an infant in a manger.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD
- Where would you like to live “all the days of your life?” The house of the Lord?
- Why?
- To what lengths would you go to live there?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- What do you think the shepherds talked about on the way back to the fields after leaving the manger?
- Do you think they were singing?
PRAYER GUIDE
Help us, O God, to seek your presence and the gifts of your provision and protection all the days of our lives. Amen.