Advent 2020 — Week 4
Jesus, our Love
Read
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
2 He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
3 To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations.
5 Foreigners will be your servants.
They will feed your flocks
and plow your fields
and tend your vineyards.
6 You will be called priests of the Lord,
ministers of our God.
You will feed on the treasures of the nations
and boast in their riches.
7 Instead of shame and dishonor,
you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.8 “For I, the Lord, love justice.
I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering
and make an everlasting covenant with them.
9 Their descendants will be recognized
and honored among the nations.
Everyone will realize that they are a people
the Lord has blessed.”10 I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God!
For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation
and draped me in a robe of righteousness.
I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding
or a bride with her jewels.
11 The Sovereign Lord will show his justice to the nations of the world.
Everyone will praise him!
His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring,
with plants springing up everywhere.—Isaiah 61
Listen
When gracious Lord, when shall it be
That earth will find her all in Thee?
The fullness of Thy promise, prove
Seal me with Thy eternal love
Thee, only Thee I'm fain to find
I cast the world and sin behind
O my Redeemer, hear this plea
And let me find my all in Thee
Show me Your Way, my love, my Lord
Draw me to grace, so strong and sure
I run to Your mercy, where I am free
Let me find my all in Thee
Lord I am blind, be Thou my sight
Lord I am weak, be Thou my might
A helper of the helpless be
And let me find my all in Thee
Show me Your Way, my love, my Lord
Draw me to grace, so strong and sure
I run to Your mercy, where I am free
Let me find my all in Thee
Please mend my soul, my frame, my life
A contrite heart, Thou won't despise
Take now this pain and misery
And let me find my all in Thee
Show me Your Way, my love, my Lord
Draw me to grace, so strong and sure
I run to Your mercy, where I am free
Let me find my all in Thee
Meditate
The Israelites were persecuted, enslaved, oppressed, attacked, displaced, and ultimately they were unfulfilled in their desire to see God’s glory, but there was one thing that they undeniably knew: no matter how far they fell, God faithfully loved them.
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
—Isaiah 30:18
Ask yourself…
What is God’s love?
If you are completely honest with yourself, where in your heart are you reluctant to come to God?
What keeps you from bringing it before God?
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!—Psalm 139:1,17
Practice…
Admit to yourself that God already sees everything in your heart.
Allow yourself to take an honest look at what’s really there.
Receive and thank God that he still loves you, no matter what is in your heart and no matter if you’re ready to give it to Him yet or not!
The First Coming of the Messiah — Part IV
Read
18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
20 As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
23 “Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”
24 When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. 25 But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
—Matthew 1:18-25
Listen
Love (Joseph) by Poor Bishop Hooper
In the middle of the night
That’s always been when
You set me right
Sometimes I’m weary to close my eyes
I tremble at the thought of all that You could want this time
So come on Spirit, would you get right to it
Oh I think I’ve dreamed of this
Before seen glimpses in the mist
'Oh son of David do not be afraid
Let this love befriend you like a desert to the rain
For the girl before you is one I’ve made
The simple beauty that you’ve seen is still the one you’ll take
It's not at all what your diffidence is telling you to think
'Oh I think you’ve dreamed of this
Before you just didn’t have the score
To the symphony of love that God’s been drawing up and from
His overflowing heart a piece that never ends yet ends in eternity
And He’s folding you into a fatherhood like no one could
To take a son that isn’t yours adopt the One who will adopt the world
There will be no glory for you all the glory will be given
To the Son you’ll raise up but I hate to say you’ll never see it
His love...'
I know I’ve heard this too many times to tell
Isaiah said it ‘call him Immanuel’
He’ll be with everyone
But I'll have Him somehow more
My hand shall feed his mouth as I partner with your favor
Be a father to the One who’s father is You
Who knew I'd get to watch perfection grow up
I've built things all my life but never built love
I'll do everything you command, and I thank you
God I thank you
Want more?
Check out additional resources like daily Advent devotions, music, and history to fully engage with the season.