God preserves, forgives, and renews—day by day. But are we all aware of this? The Chief Apostle recommends that we pause, reflect, and praise God.
In the last divine service of 2025, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider drew attention to all the good things that God had done over the past year. For this service on 28 December 2025, in Affoltern am Albis in Switzerland, he used Psalm 103: 2: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.”
God does not give up
God has done many good things in everyone’s life, the Chief Apostle said.
- He has answered many of the prayers we sent to Him this year. For example, how many times did we experience the protection of angels and realise that God helped us.
- His Son became human and brought His sacrifice. This still produces effects today in everyday life, the Chief Apostle said, because “He is not bound by time”; everything is present. God saw humanity then and now—yet He decided to save us.
- The good He has done for us is rebirth out of water and the Spirit. This is still fully valid today and influences everyday life.
- Remember how often He has forgiven us. God works on the salvation of each and every one of us. He does not give up but continues with patience and determination: “I want to save them.”
- God constantly sends people to do us good, the Chief Apostle said. From time to time, He intervenes to “repair the damage we have caused”. God comforts, strengthens, and lifts us up again.
Forgotten grace
Often, we are no longer aware of God’s help, explained Chief Apostle Schneider. We may forget that He has helped us because …
… we believe that God has merely corrected an injustice—giving us only what was owed to us, what everyone else has
… all the good God has done, as it is often overshadowed by new things that replace the old.
… we are preoccupied with so many other things.
… the evil people do suddenly becomes much more important than the good that has been done to us—and before we know it, gratitude disappears.
… this process of trivialisation exists: the words and actions of God are on the same level as the actions, thoughts, and words of humans.
Pause, listen, and trust
It is therefore advisable to pause for a moment, the Chief Apostle said, and not only avoid forgetting, but to respond appropriately and praise the Lord for it. This is today’s exhortation: “Praise the Lord for the good He has done for us!”
Dependence: Praise the Lord, acknowledge, and remain aware that we are absolutely dependent on God and His grace, and do not say: “I have not asked for anything.”
Drawing close to God: Come to Him and listen to Him. Grace is not automatic; God grants it to those who fear Him. Everyone must be able to enter His kingdom, “which is why we strive to become like Jesus Christ”. This is not an easy path: we must work, struggle, pray, and persevere until the end.
Trust: Trust in God. He has already proven His love for you. He has shown that nothing is impossible for Him, that He cares, and that He is concerned even with the details of your daily life.
God means well
God grants salvation. “Let us value this gift by working on our salvation. God desires only what is best for us. He wants to help us get rid of unnecessary burdens. “Give up pride, yield, forgive, and seek reconciliation.” And don’t forget: “God left everything behind to come to earth to save us.”
God often uses people to accomplish His work. He expects us to honour Him and to do good to our neighbour in His name so that others may see and experience God through us. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” the Chief Apostle cited. This means taking time for one another, listening, accepting people as they are, showing forgiveness, and not holding grudges, praying for one another, and supporting one another in faith.
Praise is a preparation for glory, because there “we will praise God forever and ever, for each day we will discover a new aspect of His glory”. Already today we must learn to recognise His help and glory.
Photo: NAK Schweiz
