Thursday, December 16, 2021

Advent Devotions: Joy (12/16/2021)


 Thursday December 16                        Joy                                 Isaiah 55:10-12

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. For you shall go out in joy, and be led back in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall burst into song, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

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A brief history of the time: Babylonians had destroyed Jerusalem, forcing God’s people into exile in Babylon (587 to 538 B.C.E) in 538 B.C.E., Cyrus the Persian ruler captured Babylon and allowed the exiles to return to Jerusalem. That is man’s history but it is truly God’s divine plan.

God sent his message to his people not with lightning bolts and thunder as in a Cecil B. DeMille epic movie but lovingly, like gentle rain to water the land, allowing the seed of his message to germinate and be received by his people. He offers his people not only the joy of returning to their homeland but the joy of returning to a relationship with God.

I am always awed by God’s mercy, love and patience with rebellious mankind. He forgives our sins again and again. In his infinite love, he reaches out to all mankind, offering forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. He sent his only Son to fulfill his divine plan. There is no greater love.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life” John 3:16

 

Joan Bradley

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