God’s grace not only freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt; it forever transformed their view of slavery and every other facet of life. Applying the principles of his Ten Commandments to our everyday struggles, God shows his people of all ages how grace really does changes everything through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Even after showing us the clear way forward, God knows how prone we are to wander. In His grace He provides a way back to Himself even when we've strayed; a way that looks ahead to the One who is the ultimate way, truth, and life, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Not all fear is bad. A God-oriented, reverent fear that recognizes the power and holiness of our God is actually essential for Christian life and growth. It drives us to our knees, drives us to our Mediator, and drives us to our duty as we follow the One who showed perfect reverence to his Father in heaven.

David calls on the Lord to judge justly. The biblical doctrine of God as Judge who will call everyone to account is a scary reality, but for those in Christ it is a source of great joy and comfort.

When the depravity of our sin as a fallen race hits close to home it’s easy to feel like the spirit of Christmas has been undermined. But in fact, it was for this very reason that God sent His Son into the world: to atone for the depths of our sin and replace our depravity with a thankful spirit of praise to the One who set us free.

There were a wide variety of responses to the announcement of Jesus’ birth. King Herod responded in murderous rage. Priest Zechariah responded in skeptical doubt. But a poor, teenage girl from Nazareth responded in faithful obedience. It was a fitting response to the Savior whose faithful obedience would save His people from their sins through the cross, and it reminds us that Advent brings not only good news of great joy but a renewed call to follow the One who first sought us.

The main reason the birth of Jesus was such good news was because it promised grace to sinners like us. Grace to those who suffer. Grace to those who doubt. Grace to those who long for the kingdom of God to advance in an unjust world. The grace of Jesus is so amazing that even the announcement of the one who would announce Him was showered in grace! How much more so the mercy shown to those who have trusted in His saving work upon the cross.

We live in an uncertain age. Skeptics doubt whether objective truth exists. Relativists believe everything depends on your point of view. Agnostics just don't know. Even Christians are often beset by many fears and worries about the future. But into a world of such uncertainty God sent His Son, born of a virgin, so that we might not only know the truth with certainty, but be set free by it.

Despite the threat against his life from his own son’s rebellion, David shows a pattern of praise, peace, and prayer in the midst of pressure as a way for us to gain firm assurance in God in the face of adversity.

After Nathan’s stinging rebuke, David responds to his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah with a humble prayer for forgiveness and cleansing.