First Friday of Advent

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 3:8-15

Key Verse(s): Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. ~Isaiah 3:10

The problem with idols is that they leave us empty, hungry for more. The more we serve them, hoping to be satisfied, the more we desire, the emptier we become. We become completely absorbed with things that are of no eternal consequence that we can quickly find ourselves headed in the wrong direction fast. Judah found themselves in this position time and again and this is why Isaiah was sent – to call them back, to warn them of God’s judgment. This is why Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matt 6:33). If we spend all our time chasing after things that pass away, we never spend time connecting to the One who does not pass away. The live righteously is to live at oneness with God, to be “right” with Him. And Isaiah tells the people of Judah that the wicked shall receive their punishment, but tells the righteous that “it will be well with them…they shall eat the fruit of their deeds” (Isa 3:10). Matthew’s gospel tells us that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness “will be satisfied” (Matt 5:6). With what will they be satisfied? With God Himself, who is the very source of life and all good things in it. Their ardent desire to live rightly with God results in their being with God. There is nothing greater than this.

Reflect: What types of things are you cultivating in your life right now? Ask God to help you use this Advent season to begin cultivating righteousness in your life that you would be prepared for His coming again.

O God, you know my heart, search me and cleanse me, that I may be made new. Fill me with a hunger for your righteousness that I might not sin against you but might live according to your statutes. Grant this for the sake of Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.

For Further Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Luke 20:41-21:4 Psalm 16