Links for today’s readings:
Dec 2 Read: 2 Chronicles 1 Listen:(2:47) Read: Psalms 106 Listen: (4:52)
Scripture Focus: Psalm 106.1-5, 44-47
1 Praise the Lord.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his love endures forever.
2 Who can proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord
or fully declare his praise?
3 Blessed are those who act justly,
who always do what is right.
4 Remember me, Lord, when you show favor to your people,
come to my aid when you save them,
5 that I may enjoy the prosperity of your chosen ones,
that I may share in the joy of your nation
and join your inheritance in giving praise.
6 We have sinned, even as our ancestors did;
we have done wrong and acted wickedly.
44 Yet he took note of their distress
when he heard their cry;
45 for their sake he remembered his covenant
and out of his great love he relented.
46 He caused all who held them captive
to show them mercy.
47 Save us, Lord our God,zz
and gather us from the nations,
that we may give thanks to your holy name
and glory in your praise
Reflection: Enduring Love — Hope of Advent
By John Tillman
“Come to my aid when you save them…” Despite the long history of sin and rebellion the psalmist confessed, he expected God’s arrival, bringing salvation. He looked to God’s advent with hope.
The psalm begins with a familiar phrase: “his love endures forever.” (Psalm 136; Ezra 3.11; Jeremiah 33.10-11) The psalmist’s hope for salvation is not based on his or Israel’s worthiness. His hope is in God’s unchanging nature of faithful and enduring love. This enduring love is expressed in God’s self-description to Moses. (Exodus 34.6-7)
When someone says, “Tell me about yourself,” what is the first thing you think to say? Your career? Your hobbies? Your music tastes? Your exercise habits? In these situations, we are often burdened with insecurities. Not only might we be unsure how to answer, we might not want to “overshare” or reveal too much in awkward social situations.
God doesn’t have insecurities or doubts about his nature and glory. God does not always reveal everything about himself to all people at all times, however, when he does reveal himself, he does so exactly as he intends. So when Moses asked to see God’s “glory,” it is notable that the first descriptors God chose to use were “compassionate” and “gracious.”
God is a compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in faithful love kind of God. This faithful and enduring love does not overlook injustice and sin, withhold discipline, or bend righteousness to our crooked ways. God’s judgment, discipline, and even his wrath, are motivated by his love for the victims of the suffering sin causes and do us good by correction and restoration. God’s faithful love punishes, but also restores.
God’s faithful, enduring love sent Jesus to be born, exhibit righteousness, suffer testing and death, and be resurrected, victorious over all sin.
During Advent, follow the psalmist’s example and examine yourself individually and ourselves collectively. Like Israel and the psalmist, we do not deserve salvation. Our Advent hope is based not in our worthiness but in God’s nature of enduring, faithful love.
Are we willing to confess our individual and collective sins and wicked actions? Are we hopeful that he will hear our cry? Do we praise the Lord for the mercy we have now and cry out in faith for the salvation to come?
Let us look to our past and repent and look to our future and rejoice. Our enduring hope flows from God’s enduring love.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Show us the light of your countenance, O God, and come to us. — Psalm 67.1
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Autumn and Wintertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: This We Proclaim — Hope of Advent
At the time when all seems to be sinking, God rises and raises us with him.
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