DEVOTION FOR FRIDAY IN THE WEEK OF ADVENT III (12/17/10)

GOD’S WORD—Luke 1:54-55
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

MEDITATION
Promises! Promises! Promises! People make them every day. Then days, weeks, months, and even years pass. The promises, apart from not coming true, slowly fade from our collective memory. We doubt our ability to trust another – on account of promises made and broken. Sometimes we doubt even ourselves and our own initiative and ability to keep the promises we’ve made.

Mary, the mother of our Lord, had studied her Bible. She remembered that the promises of God were merciful ones. Sometimes promises are made to curry favor from someone else. God’s promises are different. The intent is not to seek our favor. Rather, their intent is mercy and redemption. Months prior to giving birth to Jesus, Mary was grateful that God helps; God remembers his mercy; God keeps His promises from the get-go.

As children of the same promises, we take our cue from the virgin-mother and sing our hymns and carols to God for a divine and unblemished record of promises made and promises kept. In a world that lets us down with false assurances and when we let ourselves down in the same way, this is truly good news!

PRAYER
Lord, we beseech You, give ear to our prayers, and enlighten the darkness of our hearts by Your gracious visitation; for You live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

VERSE
O Wisdom,
Coming forth from the mouth of the Most High,
Pervading and permeating all creation,
You order all things with strength and gentleness;
Come now and teach us the way to salvation.