Friday December 14th, 2018 May your love urge me on to proclaim your name, Lord. Amen.
"?make known [God's] deeds among the nations?" (verse 4)
Our Advent Journey to Joy includes the call to “Make known God’s deeds among the nations.” I suspect we usually don’t experience joy at the call to evangelism, but rather intimidation at the idea of talking about God or faith. In contrast, the holy author was obviously happy, excited, joyful as he itemizes God’s acts of salvation and the expected response of God’s people. “Sing praises?Shout aloud and sing for joy?.Give thanks to the Lord.” That is witnessing, joyful witnessing!
My wife and I were absolutely thrilled recently. A former inmate and his wife visited us. We got to know him while he was incarcerated at a correctional institution at which I was a chaplain. By God’s grace, he’s been able to turn his life around. He and his wife are true ambassadors for the Lord. He is now a pastor ministering with street people and recent inmates. Our hearts were filled with joy to overflowing. “Shout aloud, sing for joy.” What gracious mercy God shares with us. We witness it every day: a healthy baby, a loving mother, a committed caregiver, a courageous first responder-God’s love present in our lives.
God invites us to worship and to sing God’s praises “before the nations.” Celebrate the good news of God’s love!
May your love urge me on to proclaim your name, Lord. Amen. — PH
Contributed by Journey to Joy: Make God’s Deeds Known
Our Advent Journey to Joy includes the call to "Make known God's deeds among the nations." I suspect we usually don't experience joy at the call to evangelism, but rather intimidation at the idea of talking about God or faith. In contrast, the holy author was obviously happy, excited, joyful as he itemizes God's acts of salvation and the expected response of God's people. "Sing praises?Shout aloud and sing for joy?.Give thanks to the Lord." That is witnessing, joyful witnessing!
My wife and I were absolutely thrilled recently. A former inmate and his wife visited us. We got to know him while he was incarcerated at a correctional institution at which I was a chaplain. By God's grace, he's been able to turn his life around. He and his wife are true ambassadors for the Lord. He is now a pastor ministering with street people and recent inmates. Our hearts were filled with joy to overflowing. "Shout aloud, sing for joy." What gracious mercy God shares with us. We witness it every day: a healthy baby, a loving mother, a committed caregiver, a courageous first responder-God's love present in our lives.
God invites us to worship and to sing God's praises "before the nations." Celebrate the good news of God's love!
