“Rocky” Mary Lake
Isaiah 26:1-6
Psalm 118:19-24
Matthew 7:21-27
We come again to the beginning days of Advent to affirm our trust in God, the God who is our eternal Rock. Waiting in hope, we live in a less than perfect world, but God is with us and our story isn’t finished. We continue to build our lives on the rock of truth, on the rock of God’s word and God’s will, placing our hope on Christ, our chief cornerstone.
Staying the course is not easy when the storms seem never to stop. We pray for love, light, and truth to be known. We must be living that very prayer in our own lives, doing what we can to be the light and love and truth that is so desperately needed. Isaiah 26:3 states that God keeps those of steadfast mind in peace because they trust in God.
The Hebrew word used here for steadfast is samuk. The usage of this word implies a relationship with God, reminding us that we lean upon a God who is actively and continually upholding us. The help for us to carry on through difficult times is our very present God, enabling us to thrive in this endeavour.
Let us ‘open the gates’ of our hearts into this season of Advent to prepare a place of welcome to the Christ child – the Light of the World – that no darkness can overcome. He is coming. He is with us.
– Dorothy Dahli
