December 16, 2025 // Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Read the Word // Open your Bible to today’s Psalm: Psalm 34:2-3, 6-7, 17-18, 19 and 23
Reflect on the Word //
I can still remember a dream I had almost ten years ago. There was a bridge, tsunami-like waves crashing down, chaos and destruction all around, and as anxiety lurked by, I perceived in my heart these words from the Lord: No matter what your eyes see, never doubt My goodness. The words have stayed with me until today.
Praying aloud Psalm 34, which begins with the proclamation that the psalmist will bless the Lord’s name at all times, can be difficult in those hard seasons when everything around us looks bleak, hopeless even. Our hearts are threatened to be overcome by the waves of chaos and grief or the weight of evil and sin. As I think about world events from this past year, I am reminded that the Lord has the final say. Evil does not have the last word but God’s goodness does.
The Lord redeems everything when we give our lives and hearts to Him (see Psalm 34:23). We know and serve a loving God Who is close to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:19) and Who mends them. He remains our refuge and safe place even when the world around us crumbles. Our hope is in Him in every season and so we praise and bless His name at all times—even when we do not understand or when it is difficult.
As we will soon come to the end of this year and are now approaching the holy solemnity of the Birth of our Lord in a quiet stable—for the lowly, those crushed in spirit, for the poor ones, and the brokenhearted—may we pray this psalm with confidence. Our God comes for us. In every season, in each tsunami-like storm, in the good times and in the bad ones, He is making a way. He will save us and make us radiant with joy (see Psalm 34:6).
Relate to the Lord // Reflect on the Lord’s goodness today. How has He been good to you?
Rocio Hermes is a Dominican-born, US-raised, stay-at-home mom who is excited about building community, baking desserts, and writing poetry. She holds a Master’s degree in Theology and has lived in Ethiopia as a missionary. Rocio now lives in Israel with her German husband and their son. She is a contributing author to Blessed Conversations: Dwell. You can read more from her at graceandmercyblog.com.
Rocío Hermes es una mama de casa nacida en República Dominicana y criada en Estados Unidos, a quien le entusiasma construir una comunidad, hornear postres y escribir poesía. Tiene una maestría en Teología y ha vivido en Etiopía como misionera. Rocío ahora vive en Israel con su marido alemán y su hijo. Es autora colaboradora de Blessed Conversations: Dwell. Puede leer más sobre ella en Graceandmercyblog.com.
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