Daily Devotionals

2021

November 30 | “Blessed and Wise”

Debbie Gallagher

Blessed – Psalm 119 asks us who is blessed? Who is joyful, peaceful, holy, consecrated, filled with God’s favor? And the answer the Psalmist gives is that they are blessed who walk according to God’s law, who seek Him wholeheartedly, who follow His ways, who obey God’s decrees. Are we seeking God wholeheartedly this Advent season? Are we walking in His ways? 

In the reading from Hosea, we hear God’s words urging Israel to return—return to the Lord, ask for forgiveness, count on God, and God alone, for our salvation; ask God to heal our wayward natures. 

How do we return? And how often do we return? I asked my friend and fellow Park Streeter Jean Grant about this. Jean lives in a nursing facility in California, and still, she is seeking God. Jean’s immediate response was that it is an everyday process. Our turning to God must be renewed every morning as we look to His goodness and see His love for us in ways small and large. Jean knows the need to live one day at a time; she has learned the truth that, “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23) 

How are you aware of God’s goodness today? Your health, your life, fellowship with brothers and sisters, your work, the freedom we enjoy. All are God’s good gifts and show us God’s faithfulness. May we never forget the giver of these gifts—not for a single day. 

“Who is wise? Who is discerning?” Hosea asks, and then he tells us—those who walk in the ways of the Lord. (Hosea 14:9) May we walk in the ways of the Lord and see and appreciate His goodness in our lives every moment.

Debbie lives in Arlington and has attended Park Street Church since 1978—43 years! She is passionate about her family (husband Charlie, three children, one child-in-law and two grandchildren), Park Street Church, teaching Christian Formation to three-year-olds with her daughter Elizabeth, PSC Morning Prayers, and being PSC’s Clerk.