As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the Advent season, even though there is so much uncertainty with world events this year, one thing remains certain: God’s character and nature. But how does that translate into our world today? Here is a devotion that reminds us how God shapes the world through us:

IN WORD When Moses stood in the cleft of the rock and God passed by in His glory, there was a twofold promise we often miss: not only would God show Moses His glory and goodness, He would also proclaim His name. What did God say about Himself? “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7). The words God used to describe Himself are remarkably consistent with the words the New Testament uses to describe Christian character.
There’s a connection between the love of God and the love of the believer. That makes perfect sense for a people made in His image. That’s a high calling, and it’s always a challenge for fallen flesh. We are utterly insufficient in ourselves to display the character of God. Yet we know that the Bible does not command impossibilities. Our insufficiency can be filled with God’s sufficiency. Our weakness exists to display His strength. Our inabilities make room for His abilities. We are to be empowered by God Himself.
IN DEED That’s the only way the verse above can be lived out. We can’t overcome evil with good unless we are filled with the goodness of God. In fact, we can’t even love sincerely, forgive fully, or do any of the things this passage tells us to do unless we are enabled by the Spirit of God. It’s the only way. But it’s a way freely given. The lives of Christians are to be marked by constant goodness in our relationships. When everyone’s nice to us, we are to be good. When people are rude and offensive, we are to be good. When we are slandered or threatened or stolen from, we are to be good. There is no loophole for us; we are always to be good. Why? Because we are made and remade into the image of a very good God. “At the heart of the story stands the cross of Christ, where evil did its worst and met its match.” —John W. Wenham (in “God With Us” by Chris Tiegreen)

It’s easy to pull back and hunker down in the midst of storms. When darkness and evil reign, it is easy to keep to ourselves. But if we believe that we have been given the right to be the children of God (John 1:12), then we must live as His agents to redeem this broken world.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are seasons where God’s story of salvation and redemption lifts people’s spirits. But rather than the holidays being a celebration of historical events, exercise goodness through your actions with others, that they may have fresh experiences of God’s love.
Take time to read through the book of James this week, a chapter a day, and ask the Holy Spirit how your faith can be expressed fully through works as we proclaim the good news Jesus brings. Consider donating to a charity, volunteering at Seattle Union Gospel Mission or Bread of Life, or exercising an act of kindness for a neighbor or stranger in need. You may find that it is you who experiences God’s goodness as you are good. Have a blessed week! - from Singapore, Pastor Sam