Advent in Exile - Christmas Longing With IsaiahSample

Isaiah affirms that God, Yahweh, the all-powerful creator, is still able to save His people, Israel. After a lengthy catalogue of their wrong-doing, Isaiah concludes that “justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us.” (Is 59:9). He laments that the light promised in Isaiah 50 is not to be found. “We look for light, but all is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep shadows.” (Is 59:9). It is their sin that has created this separation from God. In response, God, whose arm is not too short to ransom His people, seeing that there was “no one to intervene, “ uses His arm to work salvation for them. “His own righteousness sustained Him”(Is 59:16). The same Savior that Job identified, saying, “I know that My Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth” (Job 19:25) will come to Zion! This one, the Son of Man, will come to those in Jacob who repent of their sins.” (Is 59:20) These words echo the earlier words of Isaiah in chapter 9: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” (Is 9:2) Jesus. the light of the world, has not changed: He still loves His people with an everlasting love.

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

-Donna Beardsley