Advent Devotional for November 28

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Advent Devotional for Sunday, November 28

Micah 4:1-5

Advent is about a defining hope—namely, the birth of our Lord Jesus. He was born into a world of conflict and struggle, a world in many ways quite like our own. Nations war, injustice flourishes, and the human family is torn to pieces. Nonetheless, Christian communities continue to remember the birth of Jesus each year in the season of Advent and, in the process, renew our commitment to our defining hope.

One of the biblical passages foundational for our defining hope is Micah 4:1-4. Appearing immediately after a passage announcing devastating destruction that will come upon Jerusalem and the land is this beautiful, powerful declaration of a time of peace and cooperation among the nations. While somewhat provincial in the imagery used (e.g., Zion as the highest of mountains and the center of the world), the vision is as wide as the love of God. All peoples will recognize the sovereignty of God and seek instruction concerning God’s ways. All nations will accept God’s adjudication of disputes. All peoples will turn their machinery of war into the tools of peace. Every individual will live with a sense of well-being and security.

These images are part of the defining hope that has guided Christians for centuries. These words describe the world as we expect it will one day become. We know that such a world has as yet not been realized. We believe that Jesus confirmed Micah’s vision. Thus, we seek to make concrete in every way possible, whenever and wherever, the peace and security envisioned by Micah between nations and for individuals. We have no illusion about establishing God’s reign by our own power, but we do seek to live in a manner that proclaims the defining hope that is our guide.

Generous and gracious God, in Jesus Christ you have entered our world and laid claim to our lives. Guide us as we strive to demonstrate the hope that Micah proclaimed and which you confirmed in and through your Son, our Lord. Amen.

W. Eugene March
Jean Brown Visiting Professor and Lecturer in Old Testament

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For the glory of God and to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is a seminary in the Presbyterian-Reformed tradition whose mission is to educate and equip individuals for the ordained Christian ministry and other forms of Christian service and leadership; to employ its resources in the service of the church; to promote and engage in critical theological thought and research; and to be a winsome and exemplary community of God's people.