Daily Devotions
“Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
On New Year’s Eve we often get sentimental. Where were we in 1991? 1982? 1965? We might even name them a good year, a bad year, an unhealthy year, a joyous year, a year of grief, or a year of celebration. It depends on how the year went.
On this day we also remember a different naming. Blessed Mary was to give birth to a Son, and blessed Joseph was directed by the angel of the Lord to “give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins.”
No matter what kind of year we had in 2004, and no matter what name we might end up giving 2005, all our days and years are lived under the name of Jesus, whom God has given to save His people from their sins. The name of Jesus covers our 2004 and the name of Jesus leads us into 2005!
Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and even forever. “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
Prayer: How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer’s ear. Holy Spirit, keep His saving name in our ears and on our lips now and forever. Amen.
My Bold Action for Today: Celebrate with a glad heart, since the name of Jesus leads us into another year of grace.
Rev. Warren Hamp