Daily Lectionary Readings and Devotion for Thursday, December 21, 2006

The Daily Lectionary readings for today can be read by clicking on the links below.

Psalm 50 - Morning

Psalm [59, 60 - Evening

Isaiah 9:18-10:4

2 Peter 2:10b-16

Matthew 3:1-12

Today’s Featured Verses - Psalm 50:16-17

But I will sing of your might;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been a fortress for me
and a refuge on the day of my distress.
O my strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love. (NRSV)

Today there is more John the Baptist and more of God’s judgment.  Reading all these passages at one time is almost too much to take, and so I have decided to quote two verses which are non-judgmental in emphasis from Psalm 50.  After you have read the rest, perhaps you, like me, will need to pause for a moment or two to reflect on God’s steadfast love and providence.

And after you have read today’s passages and reread the verses above a few times, pause for a moment to remember this simple fact:  “The one who judges us, sent his only son to die for us.”  This shows us all the steadfast and amazing depth of God’s love.