From Austin Seminary: "Advent Devotional" for December 2

"A gift from our community of faith to you. We at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary are devoted to preparing outstanding leaders for Christ’s church. One of the ways that we nurture leaders is by building a loving community of faith and extending God’s grace to others. In this season of anticipation, we extend God’s grace to you and invite you to explore this book of Advent devotions. Through this collection, please join us as we prepare to receive God’s greatest gift—the birth of Jesus Christ."

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Advent Devotional for Tuesday, December 2

Micah 4:6-13

This short passage communicates a sense of hope to a people who have suffered the hardship of exile.

The Israelites were captured by the Assyrians, which means they no longer had a home. All the familiar things that make a home were taken away. The invasion and exile were probably violent: loved ones died and everything was foreign and threatening. The prophet Micah spoke words of hope to these displaced people, a people who had lost sight of God’s potential to restore them to safety. In fact, the despair was so great that Micah even prophecied revenge against the neighboring nations (v. 13).

While we acknowledge that “beating many people into pieces” is never the will of God, we have compassion for the suffering that must have given rise to this cry of anguish. Furthermore, we stand in solidarity with all our brothers and sisters today who have been displaced from their homes, and who have lost sight of God’s potential to restore them safely to their land. We think particularly of refugees and immigrants from Central America.

It can be hard to understand the desperation that comes with exile, especially if we’ve always had a safe place to live. But when we read accounts from the Bible or stories from people in exile today, we develop a sense of compassion, recognizing that all humans need a home, need safety, and need hope.

Merciful God, restore us to safety. Awaken compassion in our hearts for all who have lost a safe place to call home. Kindle the fire of hope within us, so that we might always anticipate your action in our lives and in this world, with every passing moment.

Travis Gould
Middler MDiv student

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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.

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This post produced with Bible Gateway reference/link