Isaiah 2:1, 3, 4, 5

Peace. Who among us doesn’t long for the state of mind and heart that is quiet and calm? A place where our inner being is as tranquil and undisturbed as a quiet lake? We pray that as you read through the following 5 days' reflections from Our Daily Bread, you will experience Jesus' gift of peace - of mind and heart.

When you read the Bible it is impossible to ignore that Israel had a special place in God’s plan for this world. But what is that plan exactly? What is God’s purpose with Israel? Is the history of this people just a complicated preface to the birth of Jesus Christ and nothing more? Or can we expect more from Israel? Join us in discovering the answers through this reading plan!

Waiting is uncomfortable. At best, it can be painfully boring, and at worst it can be full of uncertainty and fear. But this year, we invite you to think about waiting in a new way. The season of Advent is a season when we wait, not just for Christmas, but for Christ Himself, and as we wait for Christ, we are invited to participate in God’s work.

Our life journey as believers can be likened to a climb. We walk towards higher ground where God wants to reveal Himself, increase our capacity, process us to be like Him, and finally enable us to fulfill His calling. Through these devotionals, we learn about the meaning of a higher place and see new things. May you have a happy climbing to the higher ground!