Daily Office Readings for Thursday of the 2nd Week of Advent: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 37:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 37:19 to 42;
Isaiah. 7:1 to 9; 2nd Thessalonians 2:1to 12; Luke 22:1 to 13:
“If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all.” (Isaiah 7:9)
This is the second half of verse 9 of chapter 7. But it says everything. We were created in the prayers of God to be a people of faith. God embedded in us the faith connection that informs us about the existence of the Creator. God also gives us the free will to not realize it or live by it.
We may get fairly far in life only counting on our money, physical strength, family connections, political position, or some other human idolatrous anomaly. But all of these can be lost in life. Some would argue that we could also lose our faith; perhaps, and if so, it is the saddest of all.
Losing one’s faith will almost certainly cause the loss of at least one of the human attributes; money, health, family or social position. And if faith is lost, where are we when we are called to judgment? And my beloved of the Lord, each and every one of us will be called to judgment.
Belief, moreover, trust and faith in a Power greater than ourselves, who loves us, is the deal breaker in human existence. We need that faith to keep us going when we find ourselves against the wall and there seems to be no way out. Our heart screams, “Where are you Lord?” I feel sad for the person who has no faith and yet is in a desperate situation.
We have wonderful examples of Biblical figures who walked by faith. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Ruth, Esther and Mordecai, and John the Baptist and the apostles of our Lord Jesus, all walked by faith and not by sight, or money, or power, or any human icon of importance. So I like what Isaiah says, “If you do not stand firm in faith, you shall not stand at all.” Let us listen to this prophet and use our God-given faith, and then walk the rest of this life in faith, in God.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers for Ukraine, Iran and China.
As we listen to what the Spirit is saying to us, let us live to love, and to serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 