Bible Readings and Devotion for December 5, 2020
Here are the references for the readings. Please look these up in your print Bible, your smartphone app Bible, or your online Bible.
Devotion for December 5, 2020
By Pastor David Tinker
Have you ever met a person who lives with an “Eternal Perspective”? This is a person who looks at life knowing that there is more beyond his or her earthly death. With this “eternal perspective” a person doesn’t have as many strong worries about all they must do before one’s death. They know that, by God’s goodness and mercy, they get to live both in the here and now and forever with their God.
People with this perspective stand firmly on the promises of God such as we have in our Bible readings today. From Isaiah we read the following: “The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever.” From John’s Gospel we read the following famous and hope filled promise of Jesus in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” These announcements of God’s Word remind us up two things which are forever. One is God’s Word, and the other is the fulfillment of God’s Word.
In Isaiah we read of the reality that so much of life is temporary. As just a sampling of this the prophet notes that “the grass withers” and that “the flower fades.” The reality is that life is fleeting. Natural things break, falter, and die. The one thing which endures throughout time is Word of God. In other words, his promises, his good and perfect life giving announcements, and his self-giving love continue when other things fade.
The most famous announcement of God’s promises which endure is that God loves us, has given himself for us in Jesus, and that we who believe in him will live forever. It is worth repeating those famous words of Jesus: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
With an eternal perspective founded in the promises of God we get to live joyfully and faithfully for the building up of life here and now. We get to love God and others freely. We get to move away from fear and toward joyful life with God every day, starting now.
Prayer
By your word, eternal God, your creation sprang forth, and we were given the breath of life. By your word, eternal God, death is overcome, Christ is raised from the tomb, and we are given new life in the power of your Spirit. May we boldly proclaim this good news in our words and our deeds, rejoicing always in your powerful presence; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen
Martin Luther Lutheran Church 