The Everyday Gospel Christmas DevotionalSample

Remember that God’s primary concern is not earthly comfort but eternal rescue.

Sometimes we struggle with God not because he is unloving or unfaithful (he never is!), but because our values don’t match his. When we read through the biblical narrative, we realize that God’s primary agenda is not that we would achieve a comfortable and pleasurable life between the “already” and the “not yet.” Think about what makes you frustrated, irritated, disappointed, or sad. Think about what makes you happy, satisfied, or content. What causes these feelings? How many of your joys and sorrows have anything whatsoever to do with the kingdom and purposes of God? How often do you mourn your lack of conformity to his perfect and wise will? How often do you celebrate the outpouring of daily grace? How often are you grieved because your heart still wanders? How often are you grateful that God meets you every day with rescuing and restraining mercies? Many of us don’t need a disaster in order to feel frustration and disappointment; no, a flat tire or missing the subway on the way to work can wreck our day.

We experience sturdy joy—the kind that does not rise or fall with our circumstances—when what we want most for ourselves matches what God wants for us. But if what we want is not the thing that God wants most for us, then we are living at cross-purposes with him and struggle to see him as kind, good, faithful, and loving. And when we begin to question the goodness of God, we stop going to him for help and instead we seek help only from those who we think are good and trustworthy.

In Job 32, Elihu enters the scene of this great moral drama to correct Job’s three counselors. Although in some ways Elihu is as legalistic as Job’s other friends, he has moments of wisdom and insight:

"God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword." (Job 33:14–18)

Elihu is on to something. Why do we fail to see God? Why do we fail to hear his words? It is not because he has forsaken us. It is not because he is silent. It is because while we are worrying about why our lives have been so hard, God is working on something much more significant and glorious than the comforts of the moment. With wisdom, faithfulness, and rescuing grace, he is securing our eternal rescue. And that is a reason to celebrate!

Prayer:

Eternal God, shape my goals and desires to match yours. Grant happiness, satisfaction, and contentment in your holy will for this world and for my life. Replace my doubt with a humble reliance on your perfect sovereignty. Give me the peace of Jesus, in whose name I pray, amen.