“Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed.” -Isaiah 56:1
About to come…About to be revealed…
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?
It should! Get excited. This is a call to wake up! Isaiah’s words are a call to take heart and push forward, like a cheer from the crowd for a runner who might be getting tired because he can’t quite see the finish line. Keep going! The goal, everything you have worked for and hoped for, is coming. Stop looking around at the tiredness, the tasks, the many voices vying for attention. Be still. Listen deeply. We need to discern and listen to Christ’s voice, the Light that pierces that Advent night.
At this point in Advent, many things are happening. The practical preparations for Christmas are often still undone. Christmas music has been blaring in stores for weeks. Then there is that tinge of guilt…. I ought to be doing this or that.
In the midst of those nagging thoughts, Christ has some truth bombs to share through both Isaiah and John.
While Isaiah is the encouragement-giver, John is the reality-bringer! Jesus is who he says He is. His testimony is true and worthy of our trust. We don’t need to just hang on; we can know with certainty that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, and He is coming!
“John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have a testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.” – John 5: 35-3
Standing on the Word of God
Do those words ring up memories deep within – memories of a time when your faith felt fuller or more vibrant, a time when you first felt Christ’s Light set your heart on fire? Jesus proclaims to us today, that all the amazing lights, inspirations, and moments of grace in the past are just appetizers, foretastes of what is to come. The banquet is almost ready. Truly hungering for the feast is a good thing.
Today, let us stand on God’s Word, the Word Who became flesh. Let us pray together:
Jesus, though I get tired, though I sometimes doubt, you have spoken truth in my life. I can stand firm on your Word because your Word is trustworthy and firm. At times, I live like it is shaky or uncertain. I claim You, Jesus. I claim Your truth in my life. Like Mama Mary, I proclaim my Fiat. May Your Word, Your Will be done in me. Make me hunger more and more for Your Coming, Your Kingdom! Ready my heart, Lord. Ready my heart! Salvation is coming!
Beautiful! Fiat!