Day 16 of our 2018 Advent Contemplations.
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is Day sixteen: Monday, Dec. 17. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide today.
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 20 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now.
[20 seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to our petitionary prayer. Today we’ll pray that we’ll be able to find joy in our relationship with God. Let’s take 20 seconds of silence to pray.
[20 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Psalm 103:1-6; 19-22. During the third week of Advent we focus on cultivating joy—remembering that we are surrounded by fellow travelers, trusting in God’s Love. Let’s listen for this in the psalm.
It begins:
Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
The Lord has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.Praise the Lord, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.Praise the Lord, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
We’ll close today by meditating on Isaiah 55:12, which says:
“For you will go out in joy, be led home in peace. And as you go the land itself will break out in cheers; The mountains and the hills will erupt in song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
Take a few moments now to meditate on how joy is displayed through nature.
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