Advent in Exile - Christmas Longing With Isaiahنموونە

In today’s reading, God speaks through Isaiah saying, “I am the Lord, and there is no other, besides me there is no God; I equip you, though you do not know me.”

Isaiah is speaking of a prophecy, issued before the time of Cyrus, where God chooses to raise up an ancient king, who does not know Him, to restore the people of Israel. He was an instrument used by God to accomplish His perfect plan and purpose. This passage is a magnificent display of God’s divine sovereignty and His character, “declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose” (Is. 46:10) Isaiah’s concluding prophecy points us to the promise that God will deliver His awaited king, the true king of kings, of whom ‘every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear allegiance.’

Can you think of anything better than our Savior, who offers a love that removes hate, a peace that ends strife, a hope that ends despair? This King of Kings satisfies our spiritual hunger and thirst and satisfies our deepest needs. He is the Lord of our heart today and will one day return to claim His bride.

Psalm.39.4-7
In our reading today, we see David musing about his disappointments in life. Perhaps most importantly, we see to whom he is sharing his concerns. He is doing a serious self-examination and making a heart-felt plea to the Lord. David concludes, like his son Solomon, that humans are all caught up in making a living and accumulating wealth, but for what? He sees that in the end it is merely “in vain;" it’s meaningless.

We live in a world that is moving at breakneck speed; the attention span for a social media post is 8 seconds. People live in the here and now, a job, a demanding business, a hopeful opportunity, investments, or the stock market. But, ultimately, these pursuits, the things we put our energy toward, will fade. Bottom line? Tthe things of this world will disappear.

Can we look beyond this world and this lifetime-to eternity? Can you be like David and do a self-examination?

Maybe take a moment of self-reflection and turn to God and cry out, “Oh Lord, you are my only hope?”

In this advent season, Jesus, our Savior and King, is our only Hope. He entered a world that was desperate, full of chaos and futility, maybe like us. He was the promised one foretold to be the Wonderful Counselor and the Prince of Peace who saved the world. We wait in anticipation for the day of His return, when He ushers in His eternal government of peace.

"In Light of this Advent Season, what is your heart longing for?"

-Lisa Drainville