Third Friday of Advent

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 10:20-27

Key Verse: A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God ~Isaiah 10:21

Throughout the book of Isaiah there has been a cycle of recurring themes: judgment, punishment, promise. Judgment for failure to live according to God’s decrees, punishment for rebellion, but also the promise of restoration and that if his people would return to him that punishment would cease and there would again be joy and prosperity for them. Why are these the themes that we are given to ponder during Advent? Why aren’t the readings happier and more like the glitter and stars and bells that decorate our streets lamps and shopping malls? Because we still fail to live according to God’s decrees and desires and we need to have Israel’s story held up to us so that we can learn from it, so that we can be a part of the remnant that does not turn from God and does not bow down to idols. We read these stories, these warnings, these promises because they reveal our own hearts, our own failings and our own hope. They call us to repentance and trust. They call us to “return…to the mighty God” (Isa 10:21). Advent is a journey through wilderness, a time of testing and preparing, of resting on God’s promise of salvation and looking ahead to the return of the Savior. It is a time to draw close to God, to be found in him, and in him to find life.

Heavenly Father, today I draw close to you, for you are mighty and are Lord over all. Let me not be far from you because of my disobedience, but let me be found in You because I belong to Your Son, Jesus Christ, that I may persevere to the end and be found to be in Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

For Further Reading: 2 Peter 2:17-22 Matthew 11:2-15 Psalm 40