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, some culinary delights are to be savored s l o w l y, not inhaled like a quick snack. The gospel is the most exquisite of delicacies, deserving unrushed, distraction-free relishing. During Advent, we have the privilege of relishing the riches of the gospel—the benefits that come to us freely, because you gave Jesus for us fully, beginning with this one…
There’s no way to calculate the worth of this declaration, “peace to those on whom his favor rests.” It’s more than we could ever expect, yet that for which we have been made. Through the finished work of Jesus, you have placed us in your full, permanent, unwavering favor. Jesus took our disgrace and disfavor and gave us your full grace and permanent favor. Wow!
If unredeemed angels were in awe of such good news, how much more should we be staggered and astonished, humbled and grateful, satisfied and free? By your Holy Spirit, enflame our hearts, stir our affections, restore to us the joy of our salvation. Father, the more alive we are to your favor, the less we look for it anywhere else—in people, places, stuff, or honors.
We invest much of energy seeking favor—wanting to be noticed and longing to be needed, seeking to be valued and working to be celebrated. But behind all our relational restlessness and perpetual busyness lies the quest to find our rest and peace in you. We have vacuum inside us designed be filled with an intimate, robust, loving, satisfying relationship with you, Father.
Wonder of wonders, we have it in Jesus! We have the intimacy and favor we crave through the gospel, right now. Free us from our unbelief, Father. Make the reality of your delight in us more satisfying than anything else in the cosmos. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ holy and loving name.
