He has remembered to be merciful.
For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever. Luke 1:51–55 (NLT)
Heavenly Father, today we’ll try hard to remember everything we need to get done before December 25th. But Mary sang about Christmas as the day you remembered to be merciful. Hallelujah, your memory never fails. Jesus is the big “Yes!” to every promise you have made (2 Cor. 1:20), and Christmas is the grandest expression of your mercy-memory.
You promised Abraham you’d take him to a land of your choosing to make from him a nation for the blessing of all nations. Israel became the “national womb” for the Messiah—through whom you are redeeming a family from every race, tribe, tongue and people group (Gen. 12–17).
Like Mary, Abraham couldn’t possibly have imagined how this big story of redemption would play out. As fragile, frustrating, and fearful as world events feel right now, it’s so comforting to realize history is tied to your faithfulness, not our anything.
Providence, not happenstance, gets the first and last word in global, national, and personal events. There’s no panic in heaven, only peace—no lapse in your memory, just the perfection of your timing. You are working in all things for our good, and your glory.
Thank you for remembering your promise to complete your good work in us, and in your world, as well (Phil. 1:6). We are so ready for Jesus to return and usher in an eternity of no more brokenness, sin, and death; no more mourning, crying, and pain; no more meanness, malice, and madness.
Yes, Father, thank you for remembering to be so very merciful. But a big-time “Thank you” for not remembering our sins (Heb. 10:17). Jesus came the 1st time to save us from our sins, and he has been 100% successful. Hallelujah, you didn’t just acquit us in Jesus, you declared us righteous in him. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ near and exalted name.