Wednesday, December 6
Isaiah 14:1-23 and 2 Peter 3:1-18
It is the week before final exams at Concordia, and many students are worn thin by the long semester and remaining work to be done. Thoughts of the upcoming Christmas celebration distract us temporarily, and we may feel a bit homesick as we await that homecoming.
Someday, God’s family will have a heavenly homecoming, too. We will dwell face-to-face with our Father and Creator for eternity. This is a truth that we all know, but how often do we realize the magnitude of it? Have we heard it so much that we take our eternal life for granted and wearily fixate instead on the toils of this life?
In today’s readings, God calls us to be patiently diligent. Patience in waiting for Christ’s return is not thinking that His coming is far off in the future. Patience for Christ’s return is praying for a heart that is truly homesick for heaven and yearns for heavenly rest from your pain and turmoil and the hard service with which you were made to serve (Isaiah 14:3).
We fail at living heavenly lives in this sinful world, but God had compassion on Jacob and will again choose Israel (Isaiah 14:1). He has chosen us and forgives us over and over again. God’s patience is not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Judgement day is coming, but since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace (2 Peter 3:14).
So, we live patiently diligent. We know that it is finished. The new heavens are on their way, every knee will bow before our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. So, diligently pray for a revival where we chase after godliness and holiness. Diligently pray to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity (2 Peter 3:18). Diligently pray God would show us how to be diligently patient through His patience with our sin and His diligence to work His Holy Spirit in us that we may remain homesick for heaven.
GRACE SUGG
CUW Student
About this series
“God With Us: the uncommon advent 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.