Monday, December 1
Read Psalm 124.
The journey of Advent continues today! We read the words of David in Psalm 124 that tell about his past. He reflects on the nation, of turmoil and battles and despair, with deep gratitude. If you’ve read parts of David’s story, you might find yourself surprised at his outlook on challenging times.
There are certainly places in the Bible where we can read David’s raw emotion in lament. This psalm, however, is a pilgrimage song of hope. As people journeyed to the holy place for worship, they would sing this psalm that tells the story of God’s faithful protection from what could have come. Imagine children interrupting their singing to ask “Are we there yet?” Think of the responsible person making sure they aren’t getting lost. Can you remember times when you, like these people, walked on a long journey?
We are invited that Advent season to go on a spiritual journey that will get us to a stable in a rural town with an infant crying. You and I are invited to hear the stories the Bible tells that point us to the Savior of the world being born. Today, I do wonder if this journey is more than just a story to read this Advent. The hope of the psalmist doesn’t look toward the future with blindness to the past but because of the ways God showed up, big or small, in their past.
Over the next few weeks, like Psalm 124 we recognize how God has been at work in our past and because of that faithfulness of God, we can have hope for the rest of the journey, singing the “pilgrimage songs” along the way.
Challenge:
Are there any parts of your past that feel easy to see God at work? Give God thanks!
Are there any parts of the past that are difficult to see God’s faithfulness? Name those moments and invite God to guide you towards hope.
Written by Pastor Lauren Miller
The journey of Advent continues today! We read the words of David in Psalm 124 that tell about his past. He reflects on the nation, of turmoil and battles and despair, with deep gratitude. If you’ve read parts of David’s story, you might find yourself surprised at his outlook on challenging times.
There are certainly places in the Bible where we can read David’s raw emotion in lament. This psalm, however, is a pilgrimage song of hope. As people journeyed to the holy place for worship, they would sing this psalm that tells the story of God’s faithful protection from what could have come. Imagine children interrupting their singing to ask “Are we there yet?” Think of the responsible person making sure they aren’t getting lost. Can you remember times when you, like these people, walked on a long journey?
We are invited that Advent season to go on a spiritual journey that will get us to a stable in a rural town with an infant crying. You and I are invited to hear the stories the Bible tells that point us to the Savior of the world being born. Today, I do wonder if this journey is more than just a story to read this Advent. The hope of the psalmist doesn’t look toward the future with blindness to the past but because of the ways God showed up, big or small, in their past.
Over the next few weeks, like Psalm 124 we recognize how God has been at work in our past and because of that faithfulness of God, we can have hope for the rest of the journey, singing the “pilgrimage songs” along the way.
Challenge:
Are there any parts of your past that feel easy to see God at work? Give God thanks!
Are there any parts of the past that are difficult to see God’s faithfulness? Name those moments and invite God to guide you towards hope.
Written by Pastor Lauren Miller