Our Daily Bread devotional, December 23, 2016 - What Can I Give Him?

Topic: What Can I Give Him? [December 23, 2016]

Read: Psalm 103:1–18, Bible in a Year: Nahum 1–3; Revelation 14

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. Psalm 103:2

One year, those responsible for decorating their church for Christmas decided to use the theme of “Christmas lists.” Instead of decorating with the usual shiny gold and silver ornaments, they gave each person a red or green tag. On one side they were to write down the gift they would like from Jesus, and on the other they were to list the gift they would give to the One whose birth they were celebrating.

If you were to do this, what gift would you ask for and what would you offer? The Bible gives us lots of ideas. God promises to supply all our needs, so we might ask for a new job, help with financial problems, physical healing for ourselves or others, or a restored relationship. We might be wondering what our spiritual gift is that equips us for God’s service. Many of these are listed in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. Or we might long to show more of the fruit of the Holy Spirit: to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind and good, faithful, gentle and self-controlled (Gal. 5:22–23).

The most important gift we can ever receive is God’s gift of His Son, our Savior, and with Him forgiveness, restoration, and the promise of spiritual life that begins now and lasts forever. And the most important gift we can ever give is to give Jesus our heart.

Prayer: You overwhelm me with Your gifts, Lord. In return, I want to give You the very best present that I can. Please show me what You want most from me.

If I were a wise man, I would do my part. Yet what can I give Him—give Him my heart. Christina G. Rossetti

Insight:

In Psalm 103, David praises God for His tender mercies and steadfast love (vv. 4, 8, 11, 17). David did not want to forget the many blessings God had given him (v. 2)—forgiveness and healing (v. 3), deliverance (v. 4), provision and renewal (v. 5), and protection (v. 6). This psalm reminds us of who God is (vv. 7–9, 13, 19), what He has done with our sins (vv. 10–12), and who we are (vv. 14–16). In response, we “praise the Lord” (vv. 20–22).

This message was written by Marion Stroud [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]