DAILY READING
REFLECTION
TITLE
by Ken Dillman
Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.
Each one of us is a walking, talking, breathing history book of God’s love and faithfulness.
As we approach the end of 2024, we can look back and see what God was doing in our lives throughout the year; in fact, we can do that with all the years of our life because we have had a history with God.
There is rarely a year in which any one of us skate by without some difficulties, drama, struggles, challenges, or painful experiences. Similarly, there is rarely a year goes by when the blessings of God aren’t deep, profound, and plentiful, and it’s all worthy of our praise.
The apostle Paul, in writing to the church at Thessalonica, wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:16-18) Paul could have been describing a year in the life of any one of us. Whether 2024 had an abundance of difficulty or blessing, we rejoice as the Psalmist does, we pray, we give thanks for all of life’s circumstances, because we know God was faithfully on the journey with us.
As a chaplain, I received my clinical training in a large hospital system in Central Ohio. My year of Residency was probably one of the most challenging and difficult years of my life, too often there was too much work, not enough sleep. I came home on a Sunday morning after a 12-hour overnight shift so exhausted, I told my wife I needed to go to the library as I was driving; what I really meant to say to her was, I needed to go to the Post Office. I was so tired I couldn’t think straight. My wife insisted we drive home so I could sleep. The pressure of Residency was nearly overwhelming, the deaths of hundreds of patients, along with school studies all contributed to victories and disappointments. Yet, in all of it, God was with me, ensuring my growth and equipping me for the next step of life with Him.
As we look forward to a new year, let’s continue to embrace the apostle Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians, and praise the Lord as the Psalmist does in Psalm 117; God in his steadfast love and faithfulness is already waiting for us in 2025.
PRAYER
Father, your steadfast love for us endures forever. We praise you for all you accomplished in and through us in 2024. Lord, we want to see your kingdom come, in us and in our world in 2025. Help us to be open to your Spirit’s leading and work in our lives, to the praise of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
KEN DILLMAN
My wife, Karen and I have been attending UALC for 6-7 years and enjoy God's presence in our gatherings. We live in Hilliard; our three adult children live in Central Ohio. I am a retired Chaplain and Pastor, and enjoy writing, walking, jogging, and listening to live music. I appreciate the opportunity to write for the church’s devotionals.
Thanks so much. Needed that devotional this morning.