Monday, December 1, 2014

December 1: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough. . ."



December 1:

Isaiah 40:1-5Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.  A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Even though Christmas is my favorite time of year, my heart is troubled as this Christmas season begins. If you have read any of my previous posts, you know that this has been a trying year in many ways.  Now, we can family squabbles to the list as well.  

To make a long story short, my husband and I are clashing with our 18 year old daughter, and we have arrived at a critical juncture in which a decision must be made as to where she will live. As her parents, we have established boundaries and expectations with regard to living in our home, and she disagrees.  Today is a critical day. This is the day in which we and she decide if she will remain living at home or move out. 

It’s certainly not a great way to start the Advent season – a time when we anticipate the arrival of a Savior. 

The first part of today’s verse caught my eye: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” The origin of the word, “comfort,” is actually two Latin roots: com, meaning “with,” and fort, meaning “with strength.” Thus, to comfort someone is to provide strength and support.

Even though Judah still had 100 years of trouble and captivity to go at the time when Isaiah issued this prophecy, God threw them a bone by promising a Savior. Out of the desert of trials and sufferings will come One who will ultimately remove obstacles and smoothen the rough patches. These words of comfort were meant to strengthen the captives and provide hope as the years of adversity would continue.  

Even today, these words, and all of the words in the Bible, are still meant to strengthen the captives (us) and provide hope as the years of adversity continue. 

Every year, we celebrate Advent with the expressed intention of preparing our hearts for arrival and coming of a Savior – the historical event as well as the return of Christ. While God’s Word does not mean that we will escape adversity, it provides hope and strengthens us until that day occurs. 

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.  I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)  

It’s been a tough year, and the situation with our daughter is a particularly low point.  Even so, we are comforted to know that God’s got this.  

There will be mountains of adversity that strain our muscles and leave our lungs burning from exertion. There will be valleys of disappointment and discouragement – a place devoid of the warmth of life-giving sunshine and light for our paths. There will be wastelands of confusion and disillusionment where uneven, briar-filled ground will cause us to twist ankles and fall.  Yet, in the end, there is a happy ending for believers. Even though it may take us a while to connect the dots, we know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God knew what He was doing every step of the way. “And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.”

Even in adversity, even when the situation looks bleak, and even when it seems as though there are only walls where windows and doors should be, God still has it all under control. He allows adversity to build Christ-like character in His children, which is ultimately for His glory. Truly, our only choice in these circumstances is faith, and our only response should be gratitude that He cares so much for such a one as me. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His faithful love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).

Challenge: Each day until Christmas, write down five things that you are thankful for.  It’s best to do it in the morning, so you can think about it all day.  Either way, always find five specific things for which you are thankful.

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