First Wednesday of Advent

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 2:1-11

Key Verse(s): Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his path…O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. ~Isaiah 2:3, 5

The second chapter of Isaiah begins with the description of a coming time when God will restore the people of Israel and establish Jerusalem as His holy city once again. It was a reminder that a day was coming when God would set things right, a day when justice and peace would come for those who “walk in his path” (Isa 2:3). The reign of God would be characterized by peace between individuals and nations as tools that had previously been used in war for the purpose of killing and destruction would then be used for bringing forth life and prosperity from the ground. Advent is preparing us to remember that God has acted in a decisive way by sending Jesus to be born and that He ushered in a new era as the Savior of the world. But we know that we are also waiting for the redemption of the world to be completed at the last day, when finally all things will be put right. So we are encouraged to continue to “walk in the light of the Lord” (Isa 2:5) as we wait.

Reflect: Read Psalm 119:1-24 and do a personal “spiritual inventory.” Write down the things that characterize the “blessed one” in that Psalm and pray for God to help you in developing each of those things in your own life

. Heavenly Father, thank you that by sending Jesus you have defeated evil and ushered in your Kingdom on earth. Help me to live more and more in your Kingdom as I await your second coming and the final restoration of all things. Assist my by your Holy Spirit to walk in the light you have revealed in Jesus Christ, the true Light of the world. In His Name I pray, Amen.

For Further Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 Luke 20:19-26 Psalm 119:1-24