PBPC Advent Devotional, Week 3 - Thursday
Thursday
Psalm 30:4-5
4 Sing praises to the Lord, O you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
5 For his anger is but for a moment;
his favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
but joy comes with the morning. (NRSV)
We have experienced loss this year. People we know have died or moved far beyond frequent visits. Other relationships may have been damaged. We may have lost employment or income. We have all lost freedom of movement and association. We grieve; we weep. This psalm acknowledges that grief and weeping are real. But it reminds us they are not the end of the story.
List some losses you have known this year. Tell God how you are sad, angry, scared. Feel his listening presence. Know that he loves you even more.
Daily Practice
Go wash your face. Feel the warmth of the water. Pause before you dry yourself and feel the air waft on your face, cooling it. Receive God's comfort for your losses. As he shares them with you, ask him to give you joy.
Add to your gratitude list. Today, list three ways you have seen God provide for you for which you are grateful. They are God's gift to you: thank him for them.
