Day 13 of our 2018 Advent Contemplations.
Welcome to the Blue Ocean Advent devotional podcast. This is Day thirteen: Friday, Dec. 14. I’m Emily, and I’ll be your guide today.
Let’s start with a moment of gratitude. I’ll give you 20 seconds of silence to think about something you’re thankful for, and to thank God for it. Let’s begin now.
[20 seconds of silence]
Now we’ll move on to our petitionary prayer. Today we’ll pray that God’s peace will rest on … … those who are grieving this holiday season. And those who are sick.. Let’s take 30 seconds of silence to pray.
[30 seconds of silence]
Our Scripture reading today comes from Isaiah 61:1-3; 7-8. During the second week of Advent we focus on cultivating peace—peace in the midst of doubt … surrendering to a God-Who-Is-Love providing hope in all situations. Let’s listen for this in Isaiah.
It begins:
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,[a]to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.Instead of your shame
you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.“For I, the Lord, love justice;
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
We’ll close today by meditating on 2 Corinthians 13:11, which says:
“Finally, brothers and sisters, keep rejoicing and repair whatever is broken. Encourage each other, think as one, and live at peace; and God, the Author of love and peace, will remain with you.”
Take a few moments now to meditate on how you can encourage others today, and live at peace with them.
Our Concluding Prayer:
Creator, almighty and everlasting, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus my Lord. Amen