December 30, 2025

GIVE THANKS BEFORE THE NATIONS

Tobit 13:3-4 (not in the Protestant Bible)

Give thanks to Him before the nations,
O children of Israel,
For He scattered us among them.
Make known His greatness there;
Exalt Him in the presence of all the living,
For He is our Lord and God;
He is our Father unto all the ages.

Personal Challenge

In the Old Testament, under the old covenant, God dispersed His people, the Jewish nation, throughout the other nations of the world. They were dispersed as a discipline for not following their part of the covenant. God’s expectation was that they would be beacons of light to these nations to draw people to Him. Today, we, as followers of Christ, are members of His heavenly kingdom under the new covenant. We are His ambassadors wherever we live in the world today. We are still tasked with being His beacons of light. This does not happen through striving to create a Christian nation or spewing hatred of those who are different than us or applauding the mistreatment of the foreigners amongst us. Our kingdom is not of this world. Our King is not of this world. Our neighbors and our enemies are those whom we are to love, pray for, and take care of. Lord, have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord, have mercy!