Advent in Exile - Christmas Longing With IsaiahSample

Today as we read our passage in Isaiah, we see a challenge. A challenge from God. He speaks to His chosen nation, Israel and says in verse 21: “Present your case!”

Israel has fallen away from their first love, the Lord God. They have become fascinated with foreign gods and the worship practices of their neighboring countries. The lessons learned on Mount Carmel are long forgotten. But now, once again, they are asked to choose whom they will worship: Almighty God or utterly worthless idols? (vs. 24) God continues to challenge His people in these verses, and He points out that these gods amount to nothing. (vs. 29) These gods produce contempt and confusion in the nation of Israel.

As I finished reading this passage, I felt so sad that God's people would turn their hearts towards such empty gods.

Then I read our second Scripture of the day, Psalm 18:25-33. Wow! What a difference! We find a wonderful description of our Living God!

Faithful, blameless (vs. 25)
Pure (vs. 26)
God considers the humble (vs. 27)
God is our light (vs. 28)
God is our helper and our strength (vs. 29)
God is perfect and His word is flawless (vs. 30)
And in verse 31, it explains that God is our rock! Sure! Strong! Steady!

In today’s world, - we need a Rock! Maybe, like never before, we need a Rock. We read two very different passages today and we need to ponder and consider.

Should we worship the works of our hands described in Isaiah 41? Or should we worship the God of the universe? I believe the answer is crystal clear. Jesus changes everything!

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

-Mike DeJager