Third Sunday of Advent

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 13:6-13

Key Verse: Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the Lord of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. ~Isaiah 13:13

Advent is a season that has more than one layer. On the one hand we are commemorating a past event and its present implications (the reality that in Jesus God became made to redeem mankind). On the other hand we are also looking forward to a future event, a time when Jesus will return and there will be a final judgment. This future event also has implications for our daily life. Through the prophet Isaiah God gives a very severe warning about the “day of the Lord” (Isa 13:6). This will be a day of wrath, of judgment and of punishment for wrongdoing. This two needs to be understood within the category of “already and not yet.” On the one hand the day of the Lord has already happened on Calvary when Jesus died on the cross. The wrath of God was dealt with by Jesus’ death. Those who are in him have no need to fear the return of the Lord and the final judgment which will take place in the future. Those who are living apart from the Lord will have reason to fear on that day. This is an important issue! We need to use the time we have now (like this Advent season) to evaluate our lives. Are you walking with Christ? Have you surrendered your life to him as Lord and Savior? If so then you need not fear anything!

Reflect: Isaiah paints a scary picture for those subject to God’s punishment. We need this sobering reminder from time to time to keep us from complacency. Renew your commitment (or make one for the first time!) to live a life of repentance, following Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior!

Lord I give myself to you. I need your forgiveness and I need your direction in life. Let me be found in you, now and at the last day. Amen.

For Further Reading: Hebrews 12:18-29 John 3:22-30 Psalm 63:1-11