December 8, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.” (Isaiah 5.20-21)

“So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” (Romans 14.16-19)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD during the Second Sunday of Advent 2024:

In some traditions, the second Sunday of Advent is identified as “Peace Sunday.” Perhaps not by any strange coincidence, but by deliberate intention of the enemy, the Second Sunday of Advent in December of 1941 brought to our attention “the bombing of Pearl Harbor” and the bringing of the United States of America into World War II. Let that sink in for a moment or two or three. Evil doesn’t just happen! From the two passages of scripture today: Isaiah 5. 20-21 and Romans 14.16-19, we have been warned of what authentic truth reveals. There are people, in fact many people, who for their own sake transfer and thus confuse “the truth for a lie” and “a lie for the truth.” Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14.27)

The true measure of peace is fully and completely revealed in God’s work for our salvation, redemption and reconciliation which is Jesus the Christ conceived in Jerusalem, born of Mary in the city of David which is Bethlehem and was crucified in Jerusalem bringing the message of our faith, hope and love [the three key elements of peace]. But what we must focus on today is the “born again” aspect of the gospel which is the new life, as it was told to Nicodemus, which is born not of water but of the Spirit. Our authentic peace comes from God through Christ who surrendered Himself to death on the cross as the paschal Lamb who alone was, is and will forever be worthy enough to satisfy the penalty of our sins which would lead us into eternal death and the hell of eternal separation from the love of God who executed the true justice which love demands.

We would do well to focus on that message today and throughout the week and for the rest of our days. Without grasping the truth of peace, we will have none! Let us seek the word of peace this week in our Isaiah reflections. Shalom, y’all.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit in order that others be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind so we would know we are Your people and You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.