Sunday devotional 12/16/12
There was a great tragedy in this country this past week, when innocent little children were shot and murdered in a school in Connecticut. It is hard enough for us to wrap our heads around people being killed for absolutely no reason, but then to also have those lives that were taken be so young makes it even harder for us to understand. This world is full of tragedies, and sometimes it seems we are so helpless to do anything about it.
Just know that God understands. He is familiar with grief and suffering and with the loss of his own only son in what would seem to us to be a senseless and cruel killing.
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Isaiah 53:3 NIV
But in the grander scheme of things, that was a necessary death. We may never fully understand what the bigger picture is, but we don't have to understand. We only need to know we are in God's arms, like a shepherd carrying his little lambs.
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. John 10:10-11
This Advent is a time of preparation for us for the coming of the Good Shepherd. We are not just anticipating the celebration of his birth at Bethlehem, but also his death and resurrection, as well as his second coming. We need to prepare the way for the Lord by helping others know God and his loving mercy and forgiveness. In that way we will be like John the Baptist, helping to make a path for Jesus to enter the hearts of all people.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” Matthew 3:1-3 NIV
So in the midst of life's tragedies, we are not helpless, because our God will always triumph. He knows and understands our suffering, and he has promised to give us abundant life. May we help prepare the way for the Lord, praying for those who suffer, witnessing to God's great love. and supporting them through our words and actions.
written by Jan Andersen
No comments:
Post a Comment