Advent Day 4: The World vs the Word

The first call of Advent is a summons to hope in the Lord, to look with expectant eyes toward the mountains, to watch and wait with bated breath for the coming of Christ. Such a summons is an act of divine grace as it diverts our too easily distracted and frightened eyes from the wiles of this world.

The world says, "Put your hope in spouse, lover, friend, fame, employer, paycheck, entertainment, substance, alcohol, pleasure, etc."
The Word says, "O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption" (Psalm 130:7, NIV).

The world says, "Look down. Cover your head in shame. You're doomed, you're finished, you're nothing."
The Word says, "I lift my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth" (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV).

The world says, "You are a nobody."

The Word says, "You are God's workmanship." Eph 2:10

The world says, "Take it now."

The Word says, "Wait for the Lord." Ps 27:14

The world says, "You'll die an old maid; you'll rot in your bachelor's pad."

The Word says, "I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion." Hos 2:19

The world says, "I'll do it my way."

The Word says, "I am about my Father's business." Lk 2:49

The world says, "Do all you can to get ahead."

The Word says, "Make every effort to put the concerns of others ahead of yours."

The world says, "Love those who like you; blast those who hate you."

The Word says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

The world says, "You are entitled to your own opinion."

The Word says, "Listen to The Lord your God and obey His precepts."

The world says, "You will pay dearly for your misdeeds."

The Word says, "Christ has already paid for your sins."

The world says, "Take matters into your own hands; take revenge and hate those who have wronged you."
The Word says, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:13-14, NIV).

Indeed, it is very gracious of God to call us to hope in Him. With misplaced hopes, we grow overwhelmed, confused, dizzy, worried, disillusioned, embittered, listless, and overstretched. Knowing our tendency to forget and to fret, the Holy Spirit prompted the prophet to pen these words:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The Lord is the everlasting God, 

the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, 

and His understanding no one can fathom. 

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 

Even youths grow tired and weary, 

and young men stumble and fall; 

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary, 

they will walk and not be faint." 

Is 40:28-31, NIV

Today, let us respond to God's gracious invitation to rest and hope in Christ, the coming King! As we do so, we will not merely walk nor run but we will joyfully take flight and soar with hope for Immanuel is with us every step of the way. He alone can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. He alone can carry us through the trials and He alone can do more than we can ever dream or imagine. He alone is our hope, our coming Lord!