Daily Reading: 7 December

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

God’s visual aids

Something to read

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, ‘Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.’ …He brought him outside and said, ‘Look towards heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your descendants be.’

- Genesis 15:1, 5.

Something to think about

Forgetfulness is a very human trait – and I have some decades to go before I can blame it on age! Whether you walk into a room and forget why, or surround yourself with lists to keep track of tasks, many of us are prone to forget something even more important: the great promises of God.

We read in the Bible that one day God will wipe every tear from our eyes, that there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. We read that one day our hunger for justice and righteousness will be satisfied. But when the book is closed and we are out in the midst of life’s challenges, the words can soon drift out of our minds.

How kind then, that God so often gives visual memory aids to go with his promises. To Noah, the sign of a rainbow to remind us of his promise never to flood the whole earth again. To Abram, the stars in the sky as a picture of his innumerable descendants. Where shall we look to remember God’s promise of an end to all oppression and suffering? Wherever we see glimpses of justice and kindness now, a foretaste of things to come.

Something to do

Read the latest Christian Aid magazine, giving thanks for every story of hope as a sign of the promised things to come. 

Something to pray

God of hope, thank you that we can count on your word, and that every promise you make will be fulfilled. When I am quick to forget what you’ve promised, give me glimpses of peace, justice, community and friendship here and now, that will spur me on in hope. Amen.

Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones