25 Days of Advent - Dec 2
On this second day of advent devotions, I want to remind us that God is sovereign over all things. Life has twists, turns and unexpected surprises. None of them are surprises to God. All of them are an opportunity to proclaim the glory of God in your life.
After a difficult 2020, many people thought COVID would be gone by now. I know that I did. If this year has been a difficult year for you, take today’s reminder of Jesus’ offerings for your life. I need this reminder also.
Isaiah 52:7-9 – 7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
8 The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the Lord to Zion. 9 Break forth together into singing, you waste places of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem.
Jesus offers good news. Over the years, I have told others that God is not surprised with the events of the past year. In fact, He is sovereign over it. The first part of this good news is that hope in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is available to all. The second part of this good news is that Jesus Christ continues to pour himself into born-again believers daily.
Jesus offers peace. Over the past 2 years, many people have endured apprehension, skepticism, frustration, and emotional list continues. Emotions are real and should never be minimized or discarded. Please be reminded that Jesus publishes peace in your life. This peace is larger than a virus, larger than unemployment, larger than empty grocery store shelves, larger than politics, larger than sporting events, etc. Will you allow Jesus to publish peace in your life today?
WHEN WE ALLOW JESUS TO PUBLISH PEACE IN OUR LIVES, WE ARE ABLE TO SHARE THE VOICE OF THE WATCHMEN.
Lift up your voice and sing for joy. I have heard many stories about people who turned on the radio to hear the right song for the right moment. Music ushers us into the presence of God. Singing and worshipping allows us to see what God is doing around us.
Look for other Christians who might need comforted. Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, but was never intended to be an individual function. I know Christians that have not attended church in over 18 months. I know people who are still afraid to leave their homes. People continue to struggle. People are tired. People need hoped renewed. People need to be reminded of their redemption.
WE HAVE A ROLE IN THIS REMINDER. HERE ARE THREE WAYS YOU CAN COMFORT ANOTHER CHRISTIAN.
Make a phone call. Phone calls are no longer the norm. In fact, some send calls directly to voicemail. In the next month, it will be important that others hear our voice, even from a distance.
Mail a hand-written note. When is the last time you wrote anything by hand? I encourage you to write three notes this week to people you haven’t seen recently.
Deliver cookies or a meal to a friend that need a reminder of God's love. The gift of food is an easy and safe way to comfort another person. At times, no words are necessary. The gentle reminder that they are loved will renew their hope in the world. You could even surprise another person with a basket of goodies at their main entrance.