Advent #5: Peace In The Pandemic

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8

Isaiah 40:1-11 (NRSV)

A voice says, “Cry out!”
    And I said, “What shall I cry?”
All people are grass,
    their constancy is like the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
    when the breath of the Lord blows upon it;
    surely the people are grass.
The grass withers, the flower fades;
    but the word of our God will stand forever.
Get you up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good tidings;
lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good tidings,
    lift it up, do not fear;
say to the cities of Judah,
    “Here is your God!”
See, the Lord God comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
He will feed his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms,
and carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead the mother sheep.
(verses 6-11)

FINDING PEACE IN THE PRESENCE

Today’s passage from Isaiah describes the fragility of life. “All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades…” This pandemic has shown us how quickly life can change, how fragile life can be. Yes, we are like grass, we are like the flower of the field. When we face our own fragility as well as the fragility of loved ones, fear can often prevail. In these fragile and fearful times, we especially need the Advent peace of God.

We can find this peace in the additional verses of Isaiah, as God is described as both the God of strength and the God of tenderness. God comes to us with power and might, giving us strength and courage in our times of fear. God’s power gives our shaking feet a firm foundation and our quaking souls a safe shelter. God also comes to us with gentleness and tenderness, shepherding us with guidance, assurance, and comfort through our trials. God’s tenderness reaches for our trembling hands and gently calms and leads us.

“Here is your God!” God IS here with us; through Jesus we know this well. When we feel fearful or fragile, we can find our Advent peace by clinging to the loving presence of God. God accompanies and leads us with both mighty power and gentle care, all through this journey of life. With God as our source of strength and tenderness, we can become visible bearers – and sharers – of Advent peace for those who go with us.

May we patiently, courageously, and peacefully journey together through this temporary trial, always mindful that the word of our God will stand forever.

God’s power and love are forever; our fear and fragility are not.

The glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
    and all people shall see it together.
(verse 5)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our reading for Thursday will be 2 Peter 3:8-15a.

Photo by DDP on Unsplash

Bible verses from https://www.biblegateway.com/