Log In Sign Up
Subscribe
  • Shop Subscriptions
  • Free Newsletters
Shop Donate
Upper Room logo
Discover more from The Upper Room
  • Subscribe
    • Shop Subscriptions
    • Free Newsletters
Shop Donate
  • Read
    • Daily Devotional
    • Disciplines
    • New Every Morning
    • Upper Room Books
    • Resource Articles
    • The Upper Room Blog
    • Subscribe
    • Free Newsletters
  • Pray
    • Request Prayer
    • Prayer Wall
    • Books on Prayer
    • Prayer Practices
    • Sight Psalms
  • Contribute
    • Write
    • Donors
    • Volunteer
  • Programs
    • The Academy for Spiritual Formation
    • Walk to Emmaus
    • Chrysalis
    • Face to Face
    • Journey to the Table
    • Discovery Weekend
  • About
    • About The Upper Room
    • Our History
    • The Upper Room Chapel
    • International Partners
    • Customer Care
    • Contact

Disciplines

  • Archives
  • About
  • Submit
  • Subscribe
  • Disciplines
    • Disciplines
    • Archives
    • About
    • Submit
    • Subscribe
January 5, 2018

God Our Redeemer

Stephen B. Chapman   |   Read Galatians 4:4-7

(Image by: Pixabay)
  • Text Size
  • Comment
  • Share

Share on Socials

  • Share
  • Copy Link
  • Email
Lectionary Week
January 1–7, 2018
Scripture Overview

The beginning of the New Year reminds us of God’s love for all peoples through the celebration of Epiphany. Isaiah uses imagery of a wedding and a garden to declare that the beauty arising from Israel will go to all nations. The psalmist praises the Lord on behalf of everything and everyone on the earth, including men and women from all peoples. Paul proclaims that Christ fulfills the expectations of Israel; he is the open door for all to become children of God. In Luke, Simeon and Anna speak prophetically over the infant Jesus in the Temple, declaring him the light to the Gentiles. God’s promises made in love are fulfilled in love.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Isaiah 61:10–62:3. How are you daily becoming Zion, a person of justice?
• Read Psalm 148. How does your connection to God connect you to creation?
• Read Galatians 4:4-7. How confident are you that God listens to your prayer?
• Read Luke 2:22-40. When have you experienced sacrifice as gain rather than loss?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Galatians 4:4-7

4 But when the fulfillment of the time came, God sent his Son, born through a woman, and born under the Law. 5 This was so he could redeem those under the Law so that we could be adopted. 6 Because you are sons and daughters, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore, you are no longer a slave but a son or daughter, and if you are his child, then you are also an heir through God.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

In modern life, time has become primarily a quantitative measure. “How much time is left?” we ask. Yet we also talk about having a bad time or a good time, which suggests that time possesses a qualitative dimension as well. Paul writes of the “fullness” of time when God sent...

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Abba, thank you for making us part of your family, for making us part of your plan for the world. Amen.


3 Comments
  • Share:

Save as Bookmark

Log In to leave a comment

Loading more

The Spiritual Discipline of Curiosity

The Spiritual Discipline of Curiosity

Across Christian history, some have viewed curiosity as a distraction from faithful discipleship. Yet the witness… Read More

Related Resources

A Guide for Small Groups

View

Tips for Leaders of Small Groups

View

A Guide to Daily Prayer

View

How to Have a Daily Devotional Time

View
Read on the go with
The Upper Room Mobile App

Download on the App Store

GET IT ON Google Play

The Upper Room
1908 Grand Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212

Customer support:

800-972-0433

Contact The Upper Room

  • The Upper Room daily devotional
  • Store & Resource Library
  • Upper Room Books
  • Disciplines
  • The Prayer Wall
  • The Academy for Spiritual Formation
  • The Walk to Emmaus
  • Face to Face
  • Chrysalis
  • Journey to the Table
  • Discovery Weekend
  • Sight Psalms
  • New Every Morning
  • About Us
  • Upper Room Ministries Blog
  • The Upper Room Chapel
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
© Copyright 2026 The Upper Room
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Help & Support
Notice at collection | Your Privacy Choices California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) Opt-Out Icon

Log In to The Upper Room

Sign in with The Upper Room

or

Sign in with Facebook

Sign in with Apple

Don't have an account? Click here to create an account and sign in.