Breathing Hope: Third Week of Advent Devotional

Scripture readings: Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146; James 5:7-20; Matthew 11:2-19

Isaiah 35: 1-10

Advent should be a time to step away from the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season. It is so easy to get caught up in the buying, the wrapping, the festivities which may cause some anxiety. What is one to do? Step off the merry-go-round-of chaos and sit. Breathe. Breathe in the wondrous, crisp mountain air. Be calm. Be silent. Let the quietness and peace permeate your entire being. Breathe. Breathe in the stillness and be filled! Fill your cup with Jesus, with Scriptures. Isaiah 35:4 says not to be anxious; be strong, fear not! Even though this chapter refers to the blessing of the final restoration, we can sense the foretaste even this day. 

Have you seen blind eyes opened this year? Have you seen a loved one whom you have fasted and prayed for over many decades come to the saving faith in Jesus? Isaiah speaks of blossoms in a dry parched land. Imagine! Imagine water in a desert. A parched, barren, land of the heart and soul that is renewed, refreshed, redeemed by the living water of the Word. Jesus, the Word, made flesh; the living water. Imagine!

It is time as Isaiah says to rise up; to sing, to rejoice in what the Lord has done.

Psalm 146

Where does your trust lie? Is it in your bank account; your spouse; your home; your friends? We see in the Psalm echoes of Luke 4:17. The Lord sets the prisoner free. Have you felt oppressed; immobilized; overcome by worry and anxiety; or depressed? There is hope. The Lord is near. He is faithful. Think of times in the past when you felt overwhelmed and crippled by anxiety or drowning in depression; how when you cried out to Him - He heard and He answered. He is near. He loves you. 

When you think of Him. What are your thoughts about Him? Is He the Lover of your soul? Do you long for Him, almost like a physical pining? He loves you so very much. You can trust Him. He has been faithful to you in the past and will be faithful in your present and will continue to be faithful in all your tomorrows. He watches over you. You are not alone. He is your King. You are His Beloved.

A dear sister in Christ told me over three decades ago, when my world was crashing in on me, and I was drowning in the miry pit of despair. ‘Joy, Praise in the midst of depression.’ I purposed to do what she said. I put praise music on. I made a conscious effort to be in the Word more. I journaled. I poured out my heart to Him and I praised Him, EVEN WHEN my circumstances did NOT change. My heart changed and it made all the difference.

James 5:7-20

Waiting is hard. We want it to happen NOW! James tells us to be patient in our waiting. We are to be patient in our waiting for His return. At times it almost feels like escapism. Take me now Lord! This burden is too great. I cannot take another day in this situation. Wait. Establish you heart. Keep your courage up. The coming of the Lord is at hand. He is near. He is not far. 

What should our attitude be in the waiting? No grumbling! How should we treat our brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you see someone hurting? Scriptures says we are to pray for them. Practically we can send a note or a text or make a call of encouragement. This season be less self-reflective and more other-focused. Reach out to someone who you see who needs a hug or a prayer. Be watchful and alert to the needs of others. Be a good listener. Prayer is mentioned several times in this passage. Let this Advent be a time of prayer in action. Ask the Holy Spirit to use You for the glory of God. 

Matthew 11:2-19

This passage speaks of the forerunner to Jesus - John the Baptist. John was in prison and perhaps was a tad despondent. He sent word through his disciples to Jesus and asked. ‘Are you the One who is to come or shall we look for another?’ 

This is a question of our times - is it not? Christmas is a time when the secular meets the sacred. It is a time when our atheistic or agnostic neighbor might be willing to hear the Gospel. So many around us are lost, hurting, floundering, and angry. They need hope. We have the answer. We can say, friend, I have the answer to your sorrow, anger, loneliness. It is Jesus. He is the One. He is light in your darkness; He is the stream of living water in the dessert of your life; He is the healer, granting sight to your spiritual blindness; He is the calm in the storm of your life; He is the One. He is here! He is near! Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Let us proclaim Him. Let us rejoice in the Lord our Savior. Let us rejoice and be glad and glory in Him. Amen.