January 2

Genesis 3:1-4:26; Matthew 2:13-3:6; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 1:7-9

My daughter Elizabeth was born today 2 years ago.  We prayed for a delay on her birth date through Christmas and New Years.  We didn't want her to have to share her birthday with a holiday for the rest of her life.  She should have her very own day.  So, here it is, January 2nd, not really a special day, after all the holidays and excitement. The first ordinary day after all the fun.  But what a special day for me.  What a special day for Elizabeth.  And isn't it just like that with the Lord?  Each day is a new and special day.

Even this day in which we read about sin entering the world.  We could read the account of the first temptation and original sin and feel discouraged or saddened by this day.  Was this a bad day for humanity?  A day to be disregarded and passed over?  Or did God still have a grander plan in mind?  Satan has not won, as it may first appear.  As we keep reading in Matthew, we see God has already started his plan for redemption and the forgiveness of sins.  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near,"  John the Baptist proclaims in Matthew 3:2.  One is coming who can redeem even the darkest of days.

Be encouraged this day.  Each day is in God's mind, and it is good.  Even on the day that could arguably have been the worst day in human history (how much worse could our day be than that?), God still shows His great love and greater plan for redemption. As we go through each day, we can "prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him" (Mt. 3:3).  Evil and sin are not victorious.  We should not live as if they are.  "Blessed are all who take refuge in him" (Ps. 2:12).

Lord, may we trust you and look for your redemption and goodness in each and every day. They are all special in your eyes. 

-Mary Matthias

January 1

Genesis 1:1-2:25; Matthew 1:1-2:12; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 1:1-6

Hooray!  Today is the first day, and today is my favorite day!  I'm not behind, and it's the happiest reading day of the whole year.  No sin, no ugliness, no failure, no brokenness - only creation in Genesis, and the preparation for and appearance of Jesus in the gospels, and the sturdiness of Psalm 1, and the promise of today's Proverbs.  I love it!

There's so much majesty and beauty in Genesis 1 and 2.  We see the deliberateness of God in the act of creation: he chose every action and crafted every bit.  We see the creativity and expansiveness (Gen. 1:21, 25, 29) - so many kinds, and so much of everything!  We see God's attentiveness to beauty (I love that the trees in the garden "were pleasing to the eye and good for food" [Gen. 2:9, emphasis mine]), and his awareness of his creation as he realizes that Adam needs a companion (Gen. 2:18, 21-25).  Part of the reason I'm so drawn to the creation narrative is that I recognize in myself echoes of God's intentionality, of his detailed-ness, of his love of beauty.  It's so easy for me to forget that I have God's image wrapped all over me; I get lost all too often in my own sin and brokenness and failure.  But this day, this day!  It reminds me of how I am redeemed and looking like my Father.

Truthfully, I am also always glad to be "on-time" in my reading, too.  I know I'll get behind throughout the year, but I do love the feeling of starting off at a good pace.  This first day of January, with all of its promise in Scripture and in a chronological new year, gives me hope and makes a memory for me to draw on during the other 364 days that will come.

- Sarah Marsh