Advent Project Devotional: Day 7

Day Seven

Rev. Wendi Gordon

Awaiting Call

Author of “Timeless Truths for Troubled Times”

Psalm 124

Isaiah 54.1-10

Matthew 24.23-25

“For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

                                                                                                                                             -Isaiah 54:10

My apartment has a beautiful view of the mountains. They seem immovable, and it is hard to imagine any force strong enough to destroy them. Every day, I look outside and they are there, as massive and awe-inspiring as always. The reality, though, is that an earthquake or landslide could indeed cause at least part of those mountains to crumble, and even under normal conditions mountains inevitably erode over the years.

What a wonderful promise we are given when God’s love is described as steadfast, and God promises that it will never depart from us! Too often, we think we have to earn that love; surely it must be conditional, depending on our willingness to faithfully follow God’s commandments, help those in need, and otherwise live in accordance with the teachings and example of Christ. We wonder if some of our sins just might be unforgivable, or if God will tire of giving us second (and third, and fourth, and so on) chances and decide we are not worthy of further care and concern.

The reality, thankfully, is that God loves us no matter what! God’s faithfulness is not dependent on ours, and we don’t have to earn our way to into heaven. We couldn’t if we tried, because all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

God loves us enough to overcome that problem by sending a Savior, whose birth we are preparing to celebrate. God has compassion on us, knows that we can’t save ourselves, and so God intervenes to assure our salvation once and for all. This promised Messiah will not only show us how to live, he will show us that death is not the end, but rather a new beginning that leads to eternal life with God. 

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Let us pray: Gracious God, thank you for a love that is steadfast and will never depart from us. When we feel alone, remind us that you are with us always; when we are in distress, comfort us with your compassion. Help us to remember your wonderful promises and to share them with others who need to know that they are loved no matter what. In Jesus’ name we pray. AMEN.