Advent Lectionary Readings:
Psalm 90
2 Samuel 7:18-29
Revelation 22:12-16
Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, "Who
am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this
far? And now, Sovereign LORD, in addition to everything else, you speak of
giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O
Sovereign LORD? What more can I say to you? You know what your servant is
really like, Sovereign LORD. Because of your promise and according to your
will, you have done all these great things and have made them known to your
servant. How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you. We
have never even heard of another God like you! What other nation on earth
is like your people Israel? What other nation, O God, have you redeemed from
slavery to be your own people? You made a great name for yourself when you
redeemed your people from Egypt. You performed awesome miracles and drove out
the nations and gods that stood in their way. You made Israel your very own
people forever, and you, O LORD, became their God. And now, O LORD God, I am
your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. Confirm it
as a promise that will last forever. And may your name be honored forever so
that everyone will say, 'The LORD of Heaven's Armies is God over Israel!' And
may the house of your servant David continue before you forever. "O LORD
of Heaven's Armies, God of Israel, I have been bold enough to pray this prayer
to you because you have revealed all this to your servant, saying, 'I will
build a house for you—a dynasty of kings!' For you are God, O Sovereign LORD.
Your words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant.
And now, may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may
continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing
to your servant, O Sovereign LORD, it is an eternal blessing!" 2
Samuel 7:18-29 (Underlined for
emphasis.)
Advent provides an opportunity reflect on who God is, what
He has done and is doing, and that Jesus Christ the Messiah and Son of God is
coming again. He is great—and there is no greater God…anywhere. There may be
claims of other gods—but truly I believe that our God is greater, mightier,
truer, more loving, compassionate, and merciful than any other religious
figure. Each person has their own concept of God…and that is OK. As David wrote
in the books of Samuel, our God has made a great name for Himself by redeeming
Israel, performing miracles and keeping His promises. May His name be honored
forever. There will be a day when Christ returns…and as John wrote in
Revelation…Jesus said He would be coming soon. It’s been over two thousand
years since this was written—and people throughout the ages have been watching
and waiting for the Messiah’s return.
"Look,
I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to
their deeds. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the
Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be
permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the
tree of life." Revelation 22:12-14
 |
| Apple Blossoms...on this Tree of Life |
Are you watching and waiting? Will you be there to eat of the
fruit from the tree of life? I recently read a short essay that suggested that
if Adam and Eve had returned to the Gates of the Garden of Eden and expressed
their gratitude and Thanked God for all that He had done for them that He would
have taken them back into the Garden. What do you think? Gratitude is important—as
is recognizing the love, power, and commitment of our God. Sing for Joy. This
is the season that is known by Peace, Love, Joy and Hope. Are you seeking and
singing about those in your life?
Prayer ~ Sing to the LORD, all you godly ones! Praise his holy
name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm
30:4-5 Teach us, Lord, to know and understand Your ways...to seek Your peace,
joy, hope and love in our lives. Even if we never get to Jerusalem in our
earthly lifetime, we will see You in the New Jerusalem someday. In the
meantime...no fear as we wait for Your return.
Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 1-4
© 2018 photo and
text by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All
scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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