And Yet…
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
SUNDAY, December 3
Isaiah 64:1-9
Sometimes it can feel like the distance between our souls and God’s is
of cosmic proportion. In our opening Advent text, we find Isaiah trying to reckon with a God who is good, holy, and unlike any other god, amidst a people who are the exact opposite. They are not just “not godly” (v. 5, NLT); Isaiah says they are “constant sinners” (v. 5) who are “infected and impure with sin” (v. 6) whose “righteous deeds amount to nothing but filthy rags” (v. 5). From this dire place, Isaiah accepts that God has seemingly turned away. He views God’s anger as an appropriate response. But verse 7 closes the gap between a holy God and a sin-sick people. It begins, “And yet…” What follows is a declaration that in spite of their constant sin, Yahweh is still their Father. They are still moldable clay in his hands. He formed them once from the dust and he can do it again.
Holy God, who formed us from the dust, we rest secure knowing you are yet the Potter and we are the clay. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: TO BE A LIGHT TO THE WORLD
The Interlude
MONDAY, December 4
Psalm 143
Anyone who has ever battled depression can surely resonate with the first half of today’s psalm. We see raw expression of the hopelessness one might feel: knocked to the ground, forced to live in darkness (v. 3), and “paralyzed with fear” (v. 4). In extreme cases, one might even feel one step from the grave (v. 3). What is one to do when this kind of reality looms?
The psalmist pauses for an interlude—that in-between space that allows us to see our realities in light of God’s character. His cries quickly change from deep anguish to a desperate cry for rescue. He invites God to directly interact with him in this place: “Come quickly” (v. 7), “show me” (v. 8), “rescue me” (v. 9), “teach me” (v. 10). This is not a cheap cry for guaranteed relief. Rather, it is faith that in spite of the despair, God is still faithful. Still loving. And his glory can pierce any darkness.
Faithful Father, where darkness and depression threaten to paralyze us, may we trust that your unfailing love will bring glory to light. AMEN.
Revive Us Again
TUESDAY, December 5
Psalm 80
One of the first hymns I learned to play on the piano was “Revive Us Again.” I can still hum every word by heart. What I’m sure my eight-year-old self didn’t know was that the chorus comes from Psalm 80.
Asaph is lamenting having become the object of his neighbors’ scorn. They are “drinking tears by the bowlful” (v. 5, NIV). From this place of destruction, the only place to look is up! There is not a self-sufficient bone in Asaph’s body. No illusion that if his people can just clean up their act, they will return to God. No! Asaph knows their only hope is for God to move first: “Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved” (v. 7).
This salvation cry comes wrapped as a gift of renewed love and intimate relationship with “the one at your right hand, the one whom you made strong for yourself” (v. 17, NRSV). Unknowingly, Asaph breathes Advent longing for Jesus.
Gracious Giver of life, turn our face toward yours this Advent, that we might be saved. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: THOSE WHO FACE THE HOLIDAYS ALONE
Are We There Yet?
WEDNESDAY, December 6
Mark 13:24-37
Most parents know the dreaded question on a long road trip is, “Are we there yet?” In a similar way, we find the disciples asking Jesus this question as he begins to predict a time of intense persecution that will signal the end. Logically, the disciples want to know if they’re getting close. Jesus dodges the question, instead focusing on why readiness is more important than knowing the precise time. Why? Because “after that suffering” (v. 24, NRSV), Jesus says, “they will see ‘the Son of Man’” (v. 26). When traveling long distances, it is natural to want to know when we will arrive. But Jesus refocuses our attention and says, “Stay awake! Keep watch!” In other words, don’t doze off at the wheel. As followers of Jesus, we are indeed on a long journey. And we travel, knowing Jesus will return. We just don’t know when—and that’s for our good. That way, we can focus on the road, not just on the destination.
God of all our days, may we keep our eyes fixed and alert, knowing you will surely come! AMEN.
You Can Count on It!
THURSDAY, December 7
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Paul’s opening words to the church in Corinth are honestly quite flattering. To a city known for its cosmopolitan living and high-brow speech, Paul assures them that they truly have everything they need. But to their eloquent speech, Paul emphasizes that the words he has spoken to them about Jesus are completely trustworthy. In fact, they have every spiritual gift they need to get to the finish line of Christ’s return. He assures them that Christ will keep them safe and secure to the end because God is faithful to do what he says (v. 9). I can almost hear Paul saying, “Trust me—you can count on it!” Advent is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate that we have all we need until we see Jesus face to face. In our longing for his return, we can savor that God made good on his promise to send Jesus the first time, and he’ll do it again. We can count on it!
Lord Jesus, as we await your return, we celebrate that you are faithful to do what you say. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS
Devoted to Good
FRIDAY, December 8
Titus 3:1-8
When I was a kid, my parents would tell my sisters and me to “be on our best behavior,” especially when we were invited into other people’s homes. It seems Paul is giving a similar instruction to the kids he has spiritually fathered. He tells them to be good citizens, to “be ready to do whatever is good” (v. 1, NIV), but offers a sturdier foundation. This is not about the government’s version of “good,” but about the reality that Jesus who saved us makes us good. No behavior management is needed. In verses 4-7, Paul powerfully proclaims that the work of Jesus on our behalf is what makes us confident that we can be devoted to good. The result, he insists, is not just for us. “These things are excellent and profitable for everyone” (v. 8). As Christians, we would do well to remember that Jesus, not the government, is our ultimate guide for doing good. Government rests on his shoulders, not the other way around.
Good God, may we live in the secure truth that our good living flows freely from Jesus Christ our Savior. AMEN.
The Open Invitation
SATURDAY, December 9
Revelation 22:12-13, 16-17
Christians over the millennia have taken great comfort in these closing words of Scripture from John the Revelator. His visions capture incredible imagery aimed at calling the Church to endure amidst empirical power. When it’s all said and done, all that’s left is this beautiful promise that Jesus is coming “soon.” What is striking is that this final picture includes an open invitation. Three times in verse 17, we hear, “Let anyone” who “hears,” “is thirsty” or “desires”—“come”! If you have ever experienced the discouragement of discovering you were not invited to a great party, the final words of Revelation offer great joy. For in them we hear Jesus, who is the first and last, boldly speaking the invitation for anyone to come. For any who have ever felt kept from tables, these words are for you. For me. For all of us. The One who promises he is coming soon has only one word for us: Come!
Come, thou long expected Jesus. We are hungry and thirsty and eagerly waiting to feast at your table. AMEN.
PRAYER FOCUS: HOPE IN DIFFICULT TIMES
