Advent in Exile - Christmas Longing With IsaiahSample

By calling for lady Jerusalem to wake up and stand up, God is indicating that the past period of being under the influence of God’s judgment is coming to an end and a new era is about to begin. Their suffering is not due to the overwhelming strength of an enemy army; it is due to the sovereign plan of God. But, if God has the power to give the cup to Jerusalem, He also has the power to remove the cup of His wrath and its horrible consequences. In the passage, God promises that His people will not have to drink any longer from the cup of wrath, not because they earned God’s grace or because they have repented of their sins. Sometimes, the grace of God is just unexplainable!

Verse 22 introduces God as your Lord, the Lord, Your God, the One, in order to emphasize His great power as Lord, as the one who controls the whole earth. His relationship to His people as Lord is further emphasized; He is their covenant God, and as a judge, He is concerned that His people are treated with justice.

Psalm 47 re-emphasizes the fact that God can subdue the enemies of His people. Because God chose them and loves them, it is a time to celebrate, clap, shout, and sing! Advent reminds us of this time of joy!

"In Light of this Advent Season, what is your heart longing for?"

-Brian Mott