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Devotional 12.26.2025



His Light Shines  

Psalm 118:27–29

The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us…You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

 

Scripture Reading – John 1:6-13

As a new year begins, Psalm 118 calls us to step forward with gratitude: “The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us” (v.27). We do not enter the year guided by our own clarity, but by God’s faithful light. John 1:6–13 reminds us that John the Baptist pointed beyond himself to that Light, Jesus Christ, who shines in the darkness and invites us to believe. Though many did not recognize Him, those who received Him were given the right to become children of God. The new year is not merely about fresh goals or better habits; it is an invitation to live as people shaped by the Light and grounded in thanksgiving. As we look ahead, we do so not with fear or self-reliance, but with confidence that God’s mercy endures forever and His light will lead us step by step.

Our worship songs help anchor these truths in our hearts as we enter the new year. Who You Say I Am reminds us that our identity is not defined by past failures or future anxieties, but by God’s declaration that we are His children. All Sufficient Merit directs our trust away from our own efforts and toward Christ’s finished work, assuring us that grace, not striving, carries us forward. As the Deer gives voice to our deep longing for God’s presence, acknowledging that true renewal flows from communion with Him. Finally, Behold Our God lifts our eyes beyond ourselves to the majesty and sovereignty of the One whose light never fades. Together, these songs shape our posture for the year ahead, rooted in grace, hungry for God, secure in identity, and confident in His reign.

Further reading: Isaiah 60:1–3; Ephesians 5:8–10; Lamentations 3:22–23

 

Reflection Questions:

1.     What does it look like for you to walk in God’s light as you begin this new year?

2.     How does remembering your identity as a child of God shape the way you face the year ahead?

 

Prayer: Gracious God, thank You for shining the Light of Christ into my life and calling me Your child. As I step into this new year, help me walk in gratitude, trust Your grace, and hunger for Your presence. When I feel uncertain or distracted, lift my eyes to behold who You are. Shape my heart, guide my steps, and let my life reflect the light and mercy You have so freely given. Amen.

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