Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13–14 NIV)
Heavenly Father, there’s no way to calculate the riches of this declaration—“peace to those on whom his favor rests.” It’s more than we could ever hope or imagine, yet the very reality for which we deeply long. You have made your peace with us through the work of Jesus. We are, right now, your beloved children of grace—daughters and sons upon whom your full and permanent favor rests, those in whom you delight with joy unremitting and love everlasting. Hallelujah!
If unredeemed angels were in awe of such good news, how much more should we be staggered and astonished, humbled and grateful, liberated and transformed? By your Holy Spirit, enflame our hearts, stir our affections, and restore to us the joy of so great a salvation, Father.
We invest much of our lives seeking favor—wanting to be wanted, longing to be celebrated, and seeking to be acceptable. We look to spouses and kids, education and exercise, vocations and vacations—even to spiritual disciplines and ministry, to give us what you alone give us, so freely and fully in Jesus.
And what a paradox, Father—the more we come alive to the riches of the gospel, the less we obsess about our own lives. We won’t end up thinking more of ourselves, or less of ourselves. We we’ll just think of ourselves less often. How liberating; how refreshing.
Lord Jesus, may this old host of angels drive us into fresh, robust worship of you. O come let us adore you, indeed; for you have lived and died in our place; and raised for our justification, you will return for our glorification. Hallelujah what a Savior! Hallelujah, what a salvation! So very Amen we pray, in your holy and loving name.
