DEVOTION FOR TUESDAY IN THE WEEK OF ADVENT II (12/7/10)

GOD’S WORD—Isaiah 11:9b
For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

MEDITATION
We live in the meantime. We carry on between right now and that occasion when, finally, Isaiah’s prophecy will be fully realized and the “…earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” With the prophetic analogy in mind, we note times of “drought”; it would appear that our world and culture are nowhere near to being full of the knowledge of the Lord. Such knowledge seems to have periods of weal and woe, of up and down. One person’s “knowledge of the Lord” may be different and another’s. Tension can result. Confusion seems to cover the earth more than the waters of the sea.

Dear friend, this is where the gift of faith comes in -- faith that, although the ways are mysterious, our God remains sovereign and gracious. Advent is a great time to adjust our spiritual vision. Until Isaiah’s prophecy comes to fruition, Advent will always challenge us to not overlook those smaller and even unexpected dispensations of grace. Think, first, of the child in the manger!

PRAYER
Stir up our hearts, O Lord, to make ready the way of your only-begotten Son, so that by His advent we may be enabled to serve you with purified minds; through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

VERSE
For You are our salvation, Lord,
Our refuge and our great reward;
Without Your grace we waste away
Like flowers that wither and decay.