The Daily is Our Resource for Studying God’s Word
The Daily is a resource we use at Downtown Hope to equip the Body with an inductive study of God’s Word throughout the week as we join Him in seeking the transformation of our city through the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Over these next few weeks, we are giving our authors a break. However, we encourage you to continue a regular rhythm of abiding in Christ through prayer and reading scripture.
Today's passage is frequently recounted, but that takes nothing away from the substantial and beautiful truth herein. This powerful message bears repeating, not only in a general sense, but in a specific sense: in your life, to those whom God has placed around you. There is great value in sharing this message with family and friends who hold this truth dear. There is a critical need to share this message with those who don't believe--to imitate Jesus who, in Luke 19:10, stated He came to seek and save the lost. Let the word of God encourage and embolden you to share this story with both believers and unbelievers this Christmas season.
Luke
As broken people in a broken world, it can be difficult to grasp the concept of God’s grace for us. However, when we look at the figures of faith from the past, we see how God’s grace manifested itself in their lives and sustained them. For instance, Paul, once Saul of Tarsus, experienced a life-altering experience that enabled him to step out of a life of sin and into the freedom of grace from Christ. Not only that, he was empowered and called to share the gospel with all people. It didn’t matter whether you were a jew or a gentile, he understood that Christ came down to save all people. I pray that we are also empowered to step into grace and apostleship and accept this gift of peace from our heavenly Father. Praise Christ Jesus.
Josh
Through a refrain, this Psalm asks God to “restore us" and " let your face shine that we may be saved.” Verses 14–15 serve as a longer version of the refrain, explaining it more fully. “The man of your right hand and the son of man” likely refers to the people of Israel. The Psalm illustrates Israel’s longing for God’s presence in a fallen world. We can’t save ourselves. Neither could Israel. Part of Advent is hope. Every Christmas, we celebrate when our Hope came down and took-on flesh. Jesus is our Hope!
Steve
