Monday, November 28
Isaiah 2:1-22; 1 Peter 1:13-25
I don’t know about you, but while I love Advent, a season of anticipation and of hope, I also feel some anger and annoyance with the culture in which we live. The season of Christmas has become distorted as our post-modern culture and its social media, advertising, and social equity cloud a foundational element of our faith. Of course, the message of the Baby Jesus in a manger can shine through even this mess, yet I am often disappointed in myself for allowing those ideas to get mixed up in my own mind.
Yet as I ponder the Old Testament prophecies of Isaiah along with the New Testament principles of Peter, thankfully I am jerked back to the reality of what is to come when Jesus returns. The amazingly significant birth of Jesus as a baby, when God himself took on human form to come to earth and die for my sin, is the first step in God restoring His powerful kingdom forever. Isaiah says that the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of mountains and it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it (2:2). In light of the present-day world conflicts and social divisions, this can seem hard to imagine; but that’s exactly why we should have hope.
God’s awesome power will be revealed and the arrogance of man will be brought low and human pride humbled (Isaiah 2:17) and people will flee . . . from the presence of the Lord and his majesty (Isaiah 2:19). That can sound a bit ominous and scary, but for those of us who believe, it is truly comforting. As we celebrate the birth of a baby, we are awaiting His second coming in glory.
Peter echoes this message when he reminds us that with minds that are alert and fully sober we can set our hope on the grace that Jesus will bring at his second coming (I Peter 1:13). So, are you waiting to finish your shopping, throw the best party, or find just the right gift? Take a closer look at what we should all be waiting for – God’s awesome power to be revealed in the last days!
JON CAIN
Accelerated Admissions, CUW
About this series
“Advent Anticipation: the arrival of our Savior” is a sampling of biblical meditations composed by members of the CUWAA community. It is our prayer that you will take time during the Advent season to read and reflect upon God’s Word and await the coming of Jesus with newfound enthusiasm and anticipation through the Holy Spirit.