Praying and Waiting for Christmas: A 7 Day Advent DevotionalSample

The Candle of Hope or The Prophets

The prophets shone light into a darkened world with the hope of a Savior. Micah’s prophecies, which guided the wise men to Bethlehem, also promised that He “will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength” (Micah 5:4). The prophet Ezekiel offered the Lord’s promise, “I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered . . . I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again” (Ezekiel 34:12-16). The people waited in hope for that Good Shepherd.

Sheep without a shepherd are in danger. When I volunteered as a marshal for a Christmas parade, I saw that truth in action. I guarded a city block, making sure everyone stayed behind the orange safety cones so they wouldn’t get run over by the parade floats. It was especially important to keep small children out of danger. Sound easy enough?

Not when the float sponsors tossed out candy, and the foolish children ran to fetch it. I asked the little lambs to stay back. No one listened. When I wasn’t looking, they moved the safety cones into the street, then insisted, “I’m still behind it!” By the time the last float rolled past I was pleading, “Stay out of the road! Do you want to die?”

There are beautiful things in life, like parade floats. And things that harm us, like parade floats. The trick is knowing where to stand. The safest place to be is in the will of God. Temptation, like candy, promises something sweet, but doesn’t satisfy. Reaching for it is foolish. When we don’t stay behind the “safety cones” in God’s Word, or when we try to move them, we’re in danger.

God wants us to join the prophets in sounding a warning—and also in offering hope. “When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he sounds the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action, it is their own fault if they die” (Ezekiel 33:3-4). We can hear God pleading, “I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness . . . ! Why should you die?” (Ezekiel 33:11).

Like parade marshals, we can show people where to stand and warn about what will happen if they yield to temptation. Then we can speak of the hope we have in Christ. Our prayer for those we love is this: “I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called” (Ephesians 1:18).