Advent Devotional

Psalm 147:12-20

"Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the Lord!"

This psalm calls the people of God to worship Him. “Jerusalem” refers to all the people of God which at that time was Israel.  He watches over them and provides for them.  Nothing is done apart from His sovereign working hand.  He provides His people above and beyond with the finest things (v. 14).  He controls all of creation by the Word of His mouth (vv. 15-18). He gives to His People His commandments (v. 19). 

Before Christ, this psalm applied only to Israel.  Now that Christ has come, God’s commands apply to us as well.  He provides for us, and He calls us His People. Without Christ, we would still be living in darkness. This season, we celebrate the Light coming into the world.  Thank God for rescuing us from that darkness and providing for us the Light of the world who redeems us.

For Reflection & Discussion: When was the last time you specifically identified your blessings the way the writer of this Psalm does?  What are a few blessings you’re particularly thankful for?

Prayer: Father God, Thank You for sending Your Light to the world, that we may not walk in darkness. Thank You for provision and sovereignty over all. Amen. 
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