Advent
Devotional
Reflections
Our ministry team at
St. John’s, Pastors Blake, Dara, Barbara and Jeremy Herbert, will be sharing a weekly devotional on an Advent Scripture with the congregation. It will include what the passage says, how it relates to today’s world and the direct effect it has on our lives. May this bless you and enhance your advent devotional time.
“My heart praises the Lord… for he has remembered me, his lowly servant! He has kept the promise he made to our ancestors & come to the help of his servant Israel. He has remembered to show mercy to Abraham and to all his descendants forever!” Luke 1:46-55
God promised Abraham and his descendants to bless them and be their God forever. The people often wondered if God was forgetful. When they were suffering as slaves in Egypt, Moses was sent to tell them they were not forgotten; their prayers were heard. When they languished in Babylon, Isaiah was sent to declare: “Comfort, comfort, my people!” Essentially, “the Lord has remembered you – your punishment in over!”
By the time Mary and Joseph lived, the people had begun to despair again. The Greeks and then Romans had been oppressing them for centuries. Now, suddenly, the angel of the Lord opens Elizabeth’s womb and shuts Zechariah’s mouth. This angel tells Mary she is going to conceive a baby. He will be “called the Son of the Most High, sit on David’s royal throne and reign for ever!” Surely, she concludes “the Lord had remembered to show mercy to his people! He’s coming to deliver us by scattering the proud and putting down the mighty; lifting up the humble poor and feeding the hungry!” How awesome!
Today, despite living in the world’s most affluent society, many may still be wondering whether God has forgotten to show mercy. The economy has hurt families and left many anxious about the future. Terrorism seems to lurk around every corner. We’ve got so many worries!
Advent means that God has remembered us! When we don’t feel his presence, He is still with us. When our troubles seem larger than we can handle, He has heard our cries and is still merciful. He has come to deliver us in the person of Jesus Christ. And Christ is coming again to finish what he started! Friends, let’s rejoice and be full of hope – the Lord loves us and is eager to show us his mercy!
Pastor Blake
Previous Advent Devotionals...