Marie’s daily verse: Matthew 2:11 (NLT)They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

DAILY DEVOTION, December 19, 2022

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3).

What is God like? No one has ever seen God (John 1:18). The New Testament tells us that God is like Jesus. Jesus is described as “the exact representation of his being.” Jesus is God in the flesh. We now know what God is like. He is like Jesus. He has shown us that God is love. God cares for us. In Jesus, God “provided purification for our sins.” The guiltiest of sinners can find forgiveness by embracing Jesus with faith.

That is the good news. But what about those who ignore or reject Jesus? Jesus taught us that God is love, but He also taught us that God is just. Yes, Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” From these same gracious lips, we also hear such words as: “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice evil” (Matthew 7:23): “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (Matthew 23:14); “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! … And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You will be thrust down to hell” (Luke 10:13, 15).

God will either relate to you graciously or with justice. It all depends on what we do with Jesus. Those who trust in Jesus will find nothing but love and mercy. Those who will not surrender their hearts to Jesus will find nothing but judgment and wrath.

Father, I thank You for revealing Yourself to us in Jesus. His kindness and mercy draw me to Him. I love and trust Him as my Savior. Amen.