"A gift from our community of faith to you. Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary is devoted to preparing outstanding leaders for Christ’s church. One of the ways 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."
• CLICK HERE for a downloadable/printable copy of this season's devotionals.
• CLICK HERE to learn how you can support the mission of Austin Seminary
Advent Devotional for December 12
• Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
The psalms were created to be sung! Before reading today’s devotion, you are invited to take a moment to read aloud or sing today’s psalm.
In this scripture, we hear the Israelites reflecting on what God has done in Israel’s past. God has pardoned and forgiven. God has restored Jacob’s fortune. God has shown favor on the land. These good times stand in contrast to the Israelites’ present situation. We are not told what is happening, but the psalm is clear—the Israelites are in a time of pain and struggle.
The psalm anticipates a return to better circumstances, and there is no “maybe” here. Because of what God has done in the past, there is no doubt about what God will do now—God will speak to God’s people. God will give what is good. Love and faith will meet, and righteousness will create a path. It is a psalm about hope—a hope that confidently expects, even demands, that God will do something.
In this Season of Advent, as we remember what God has done in the birth of Jesus Christ, what kind of hope do we have? My hope is often a “maybe” hope, a polite hope that asks God for what our world needs, a modest hope that does not expect or ask for too much. In the Season of Advent, God pushes us to something different, to a bold kind of hope that expects nothing less than God made flesh, a hope which demands that our lives and world be healed, reconciled, and made whole.
God, speak to us! Embolden our hope through the stories of your abundant mercy and love. Hear our prayers, O God, and bring peace to our world. Amen.
April Long
Student from Austin, Texas
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment