Unwrapping Advent: Through Voices of Wisdom Dec. 11
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Day 11
25To whom, then, will you compare me,
or who is my equal? says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these?
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name; because he is great in strength,
mighty in power, not one is missing.
27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
and my right is disregarded by my God”?
28 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
29 He gives power to the faint
and strengthens the powerless.
30 Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted,
31 but those who wait for the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:25-31, CEB
Perpetual Peace
Peace is hard to come by these days. From wars that are half a world away to battles we fight within ourselves. From hateful speech all around us to unkind words we inflict on ourselves in our self-talk. We are surrounded by chaos on a daily basis, and it is hard to find any refuge from it.
We make efforts to control our media intake; we make efforts to control our social media interactions; we make efforts to avoid those people we know who disturb our efforts for peaceful existence – all in the name of finding peace.
BUT, we have all learned one simple truth: peace cannot be had by controlling our environment. Peace can only be had from the inside out. Once you have inner peace, the external stressors seem less daunting.
This inner peace can only be had with hope in the Lord. This hope is in an eternal God who “doesn’t grow tired or weary.” God’s love for us endures. It is perpetual. The peace we receive from God’s love is perpetual as long as we continue to hope in God.
Reflect: Can you recall a time in your life when your stress was high because you forgot your hope in God?
Can you recall a time when you remembered your inner peace and hope in God and were then able to overcome negative or challenging surrounds?
How can you ensure that you hold on to your inner peace regardless of your circumstances?
Pray: God of Perpetual Hope, during this season of hope and anticipation, help us to remember that we alone cannot find lasting peace. Help us to remember that our peace can only be found in You. Remind us that when we can’t, You can. Amen.
Jack Wilburn
Lay Leadership & Development Team