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December 8
Psalm 85, Verse 13:
“Righteousness will go before Him and will make His footsteps into a way.”
During the Advent season it is easy to struggle. Struggle with all the things to do during a holiday season, and all the people that need your care and your time. Struggle with remembering holiday seasons past and forgetting the less-than-good ones. Struggle with feelings that you do not care for the season of Advent as you should. It is easy to struggle.
The Advent season should be a time of looking forward, of thankfulness, and of light. Instead, we often make it about ourselves, selfishly comparing ourselves to others or wearing our feelings on our sleeve for all to see and injure.
Psalm 85 has a way to lessen the struggle. God’s righteousness - His grace, mercy, and love - goes before you continually. When you feel that no one has your back, or the things you have accomplished are not enough, He has grace for you: especially designed just for you.
And He gives us a path forward, because He promises: He will make His footsteps into a way. The clear path is to follow the Christ Child during this season, follow His sacrifice and His love for others, His goodness and His mercy.
It may be odd to consider the Psalms during the Advent season. But our God has given us this Holy Scripture to use - in its entirety - all year long. The Psalms are there for us every day, for every season, and for every opportunity to help us with the struggle.