Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is day nine. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide.
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 15 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now.
[15seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to our petitionary prayer. Today we’ll pray that God’s peace will rest on those with whom we work. Or, if you’re not working or perhaps you’re self-employed, pray for your closest friends. You can start by praying something like, “May the peace of God rest on _________ [insert names of your boss, coworkers, friends, etc. as they come to mind].” Let’s take 25 seconds of silence to pray.
[25 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Psalm 18:6–13; 97:1–6. It says:
In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears. The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—the dark rain clouds of the sky. Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side. His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.
We’ll close today by meditating on the phrases:
The Lord reigns … Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Take a few moments now to meditate on how righteousness and justice, majesty and holiness are depicted in darkness. The Lord reigns … Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Our Concluding Prayer:
Creator, almighty and everlasting, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus my Lord. Amen