ADVENT DEVOTIONS
THE THRILL OF HOPE, THE WEARY WORLD REJOICES
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
Read: Isaiah 2:11-14 This reading is a simple admonition to us and it answers a question that every follower of Christ should periodically ask themselves. What is most important to you? God is unwavering and unequivocal in what your answer should be. The most important thing in your life needs to be your relationship with God. On Judgment Day when you stand before God, what will you have to give account for? Is your life consumed with acquiring possessions, status in your community, exalting yourself? God is very clear about how he will deal with this and it is harsh. Those who are prideful and full of themselves will be brought low. Punished. Period. End of story. Exalting God is not a hard thing to do. When we realize how much God loves us and provides for us and acknowledge that all we have and have attained is not our own doing, but it is a gift from God, it is easy to make him the center of our love and adulation. It is interesting that Isaiah chose the illustration of cedar and oak. Cedars of Lebanon are majestic trees that grow in mountainous areas. They are praised any time they are referenced in the Bible. David used the wood in his palace and Solomon used cedar in his temple and palace. Oaks of Bashan were also greatly valued. Oak is a long living tree and when it grows old or is cut down, it has the ability to renew itself, putting out new shoots from the stump or roots that in time develop into a strong tree. The oak tree is a symbol of strength. These trees are God’s creation and as valued as they are and as mighty as high mountains and hills referenced in verse 14 are, he has the power to level them and will! All idols will be leveled and destroyed. Now is the time to assess what are the idols in your life. The only thing that God asks, is that only he is the exalted being in your life. He is a loving, kind God who will give you the desires of your heart (if it is in keeping with his will) but only asks one thing in return. Put him first and foremost in your life. Just do it! Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and blessing me as much as you do. Please keep me focused away from all distractions so that you are always the exalted one in my life. Amen. Marcia Cort Comments are closed.
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2022
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First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville
6201 Belcrest Road Hyattsville, MD 20782 301-927-6133 church@fumchy.org Sunday Schedule 10:00AM - Worship Celebration 1st Sunday - Worship Celebration with Holy Communion Sunday School 'All Ages are Welcome' (times vary by class) |