Simply Soul Searching

YOU AND I: PROPHETS

All of the prophets were courageous, dramatic and vocal, delivering bold messages of criticism, correction, and concern. Several of the prophets were also quite theatrical. John the Baptist wore camel’s hair. Jeremiah wore a wooden yoke for a while. Hosea used the image of a prophet married to a prostitute to compare Israel’s relationship to God. The prophets were all different and yet one-of-a-kind.

We are called to share the truths of God’s merciful love for everyone, the joy of living as a servant of Christ, the peace of being beloved and never alone, the hope that comes from knowing we are already part of eternity. How would we compare to these remarkable, courageous people? How might we serve as faithful prophets? What would be our unique characteristic or quality that would motivate people to pay attention?

Light the Prophecy Candle.

Ephesians 4: 11-16, 25 (NRSV)

The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ. We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming. But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.

So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another. 

What do you and I have that these prophets didn’t have? We actually have what they could only promise- the reality of our Savior, our Messiah, Jesus Christ, who lives within and among us now! We have the reality of the promise. We have the awareness and the very presence of God’s unconditional, merciful, gracious love. We have everything we need to share the truth, the Good News about Jesus Christ.

We have Jesus himself.

Prayer: God, in this Advent time, we want to become fully open to receive Jesus, to be fully aware of his presence, and to fully share your love with everyone. Open our hearts, open our eyes, and open our spirits, so that we may fully do your will. Amen.

JOHN THE BAPTIST

I have always found John the Baptist so intriguing- with his camel hair clothing and his diet of locusts and wild honey! He seems like quite the character. John lived at the same time as Jesus, and his driving purpose was in calling people to repent- because “the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:12). I learned an interesting insight about John as a prophet at the Bible Study Tools website:

Although his formative years were lived in obscurity in the desert, his public ministry ended nearly four hundred years of prophetic silence. John was that voice crying in the wilderness preparing the way for the coming Messiah. In this sense his message and ministry marked the culmination of the law and the prophets, but heralded the in-breaking of the kingdom of God. So John was truly a transitional figure, forming the link between the Old and New Testaments. He spans the ages with one foot firmly planted in the Old Testament and the other squarely placed in the New.¹

Light the Prophecy Candle.

Mark 1:4-8 (NRSV)

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

As we think of the Promises of Hope declared by the prophets, today we are reminded that even though we are not worthy, John freely admits that he is not worthy, either. He could even come across as wild, abrasive and demanding; yet Jesus has great things to say about John. Jesus tells the people that John is great, even more than a prophet. Then Jesus goes on to say that the “least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he” (see Matthew 11:9-11). Our hope is in knowing we are all beloved; we are all equally dear and capable children of God, called to be God’s messengers, from the least to the greatest.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for your humble and dedicated messengers such as John, Isaiah, Micah and Jeremiah. Thank you for claiming us as your beloved children who are capable of doing great things with your help. Give us the passion and perseverance of the prophets, to readily share your love- your message of hope. Amen.

¹(https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/john-the-baptist/)

JEREMIAH

Jeremiah began prophesying at a young age and continued for over forty years. Several resources call Jeremiah the “weeping prophet” because of his dramatic and emotional pleas, along with his deep compassion for his people. Jeremiah’s prophecy of the coming of Jesus as God’s new covenant is especially significant. At www.insight.org, Chuck Swindoll tells us that:

Significantly, the book of Jeremiah also provides us the clearest glimpse of the new covenant God intended to make with His people once Christ came to earth. This new covenant would be the means of restoration for God’s people, as He would put His law within them, writing it on hearts of flesh rather than on tablets of stone. Rather than fostering our relationship with God through a fixed location like a temple, He promised through Jeremiah that His people would know Him directly, a knowledge that comes through the person of His Son, Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 31:31–34).¹

Light the Prophecy Candle.

Jeremiah 31:31-34 (NRSV)

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.

Jeremiah prophesies a new covenant- our reason for hope today. This Promise of Hope, this promised new covenant, became the person of Jesus. God came to us in Jesus; Jesus IS the new covenant. This new covenant is our assurance of God’s love and forgiveness, superseding anything we could ever do. Our brighter future is in the words, “for they shall ALL know me, from the least of them to the greatest, for I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sin no more.” This incredible hope- God’s presence with us- is for everyone.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for the promise of this new covenant, Jesus- your universal gift for all of us. Help us to receive him, to receive YOU anew- not only at Christmas, but every moment of our lives. Amen.

¹https://insight.org/resources/bible/the-major-prophets/jeremiah

MICAH

Although Micah came from a small country town (Moresheth), he bravely criticized leaders in the larger capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah was critical of the way the people were not only disobeying God’s law, but also terribly mistreating- cheating and robbing- the poor and lowly, including women and children. He warned the people that their disobedience to God would lead to their doom, but again- as prophets will do- he also spoke of the hope to come. Micah’s prophecy of Jesus is found in his descriptions of a shepherd from Bethlehem who will take care of his sheep (Micah 5:2-5), and a day when all people will live in peace (Micah 4:1-5). Today as we reflect on the Promises of Hope found in the words of prophets, may we have the courage of Micah, bravely speaking important words of hope to those who need to hear them.

Light the Prophecy Candle.

Micah 6:6-8 (NRSV)

“With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?

I had to include this passage for our devotional time with Micah. Verse 8 is Jim’s favorite Bible verse, and it is a perfect guide for our faithful living. Our hope is found in the simplicity of what the Lord requires as our offering- “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with (our) God.” This difference is remarkable. We are no longer trying to appease a God on high with our sacrifices, we are walking humbly with God, who journeys with us. Oh, at times we may feel intimidated to work for justice or to always love kindness, but God will be the One to direct and guide us to do so, if we but walk together.

Prayer: Loving God, guide us to do your will- to humbly do justice and to love kindness. Thank you that we now have you to journey with us every step of the way, through Jesus, in whom we find our courage and our hope. Amen.

ISAIAH

There are so many wonderful verses in the book of Isaiah, and several are quoted in the New Testament as a way to confirm that Jesus is indeed the promised Messiah. The book of Isaiah is rich with prophecy and poetry. The writers describe the coming of a Savior, but also foreshadow the suffering and sacrifice this Savior would endure. Today as we reflect on the prophetic Promises of Hope, we once again find our deep hope in Isaiah’s beautiful prophecy of the birth of our Savior Jesus. We do so with grateful humility, as we also are reminded of that painful reality- the sacrifice Jesus would endure to give us this hope (see Isaiah 53).

Light the Prophecy Candle.

Isaiah 9:2, 6 (NRSV)

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined…
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I have four Christmas ornaments with these descriptive names for Jesus: Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. (Every time I hang them on our tree, I begin singing Handel’s Messiah. 😊) These names are another source of our hope. Our Wonderful Counselor is present with us today, guiding us and helping us along each step of our journey. Our Counselor is listening and supporting, encouraging and insightful. Our Mighty God gives us strength and power for the challenges we face, providing the necessary wisdom, foresight, and even respite for our trials. Our Everlasting Father loves us unconditionally- and always. Our Prince of Peace is the One who knows us fully and best provides that peace beyond our understanding. We are given serenity, perspective, and calmness for our daily living.

Prayer: Thank you for the hope that is found in having you, Jesus, as our Wonderful Counselor… Mighty God… Everlasting Father… and Prince of Peace. Thank you for all you endured to make this so. Amen.

HOPE: THE PROPHECY CANDLE

Hebrews 4:1-3a (NRSV)

Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word.

The Bible is filled with prophetic messages from the complete books of seventeen prophets from Isaiah to Malachi, as well as from other prophets quoted elsewhere. The Old Testament prophets spanned hundreds of years- from about 760 BC until 450 BC- so their messages differed according to the situations of their time. Still, we find their messages are relevant today, as they encourage and embolden us to work for justice and equality, to care for the oppressed, and to obey God faithfully.

In my review of several resources, I was reminded that the prophets felt called to speak for God only as the deliverers of God’s message. Their words were from God and not their own, and often shared reluctantly. They were challenged to first speak realistically and critically of the brokenness of the current situation- and sometimes even of the further hardships that would result because of this brokenness- but then to always offer the gift of hope found in God’s promises for a better future.

The prophet has a tough calling. I would much rather just jump ahead to the hopeful, brighter future than to point out the realities, challenges, or brokenness around and within us. But think of people who were prophets for you. Perhaps you had a parent who disciplined your misbehavior but also demonstrated unconditional love and a better way to move forward. Perhaps you had a teacher who graded a paper critically but encouraged you to keep working because you demonstrated talent. I think of Dr. Phibbs, who had to tell me the harsh reality of my cancer, but followed that with the hope-filled steps we would take to heal me.

As people of faith, there are times when we too, are called to be prophets. There are times when we must speak up in defense of the oppressed, to name injustice, to point out wrongdoing. To remain silent is to contribute to the problem. Like the prophets, we must first address the issues by “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), but we must also speak of the hope that is to come, the hope that has already come to live among and within us. We must help everyone to keep looking and moving to a brighter future.

Light the First Candle, the Prophecy Candle.

Today we especially think about the prophecies that were made long ago, promising us of a coming Savior. We now know that the promise came true with the birth of Jesus! Jesus came as a Savior not only for the people of his time, but for all of us. We thank Jesus for his continuing promises to us- his promises to always be with us through the Spirit, to give us all we need for each new day, and to grant us life forever.

PROMISES OF HOPE

The prophets spoke both truth and hope so many years ago;

Their promising yet painful words still resonate today.

What do the prophets say to us? God, help us to know

How we may listen, learn to grow-

And follow in your way.

Prayer: Holy God, in our time of Advent waiting, help us to listen. Reveal to us what we need to change, remind us of the future we have in you, and inspire us to be messengers of help and hope for others. Your grace-filled love is our greatest hope. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

“Let every heart prepare Him room!”¹

The word “Advent” means to come, and beginning on Sunday we will be preparing our hearts and souls for the coming of Jesus once again. But how might we prepare? Let’s imagine we are preparing for Jesus as we would prepare for any other guest…

First, we extend an invitation. Jesus is always present, always inviting us to be with him. Advent gives us the opportunity to answer his invitation with our intentional invitation for him to be with us! Our invitation is an open heart that asks him in and encourages him to stay.

We wonder how much has changed since the last Christmas- not in Jesus, of course, but in us. Have we grown in any way? Have we learned any new ways of being or serving? Did we make a few missteps here and there? We take time to reflect on our past year, bringing our moments before the light of God for clarity and discernment.

We joyfully recall our previous times together. As we reflect on the past year, we also name our many blessings. We remember our God-moments and gratefully notice how much God has helped us along the way.

We make space for Jesus. We set aside time in our busy schedules to have space for his presence. We get rid of the clutter in our hearts by confessing and ridding ourselves of all that distracts us from him. We decorate his room- our hearts- with all of the things he loves, such as kindness, generosity, patience, and humility.

We think of gifts we can give him. Would he like more of our time? More of our love? More of our effort? All of the above?

We eagerly watch for his arrival. We turn on the porch light. We wait at the door. We run out to greet him even before he reaches the sidewalk. We fill our souls with expectation for the One who is to come.

May our Advent be a rich time of preparation. The four weekly themes for this year are:

Promises of HOPE – the Prophecy Candle

Places of the HEART (LOVE) – the Bethlehem Candle

Perceivers of JOY– the Shepherd Candle

Presences of PEACE – the Angel Candle

We will have Advent wreath candle-lighting devotions each day, ending the week with some personal reflection questions. It is my prayer that each theme will bless your Advent journey.

Your Friend, Karen 🙂

¹Lyrics are from the Christmas Hymn, “Joy to the World,” by Isaac Watts

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash