Daily Readings: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 2 Samuel 7:18-22; Galatians 4:1-7

King David went in, took his place before God, and prayed: “Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life? But that’s nothing compared to what’s coming, for you’ve also spoken of my family far into the future, given me a glimpse into tomorrow, my Master God? What can I possibly say in the face of all this? You know me, Master God, just as I am. You’ve done all this not because of who I am but because of who you are – out of your very heart! – but you’ve let me in on it. This is what makes you so great, Master God! There is none like you, nothing to compare with what we’ve heard with our own ears. 2 Sam. 7:18-22, The Message

David understood a fundamental truth: God acts to save because of who God is, not because of who we are. We don’t need to be perfect or particularly worthy of praise because God’s love is given, not earned. No wonder David asked: Who am I, my Master God, and what is my family, that you have brought me to this place in life?

What we do with our years doesn’t earn us God’s love – that’s already a given. Our strengths and weaknesses don’t determine or explain why God chose to be God-With-Us in Jesus. But perhaps, in response to being God’s beloved, how we love ourselves and others in our years can offer a glimpse of such divine love.

Thom Nordquist returned to God’s embrace, leaving behind his beautiful art.