Sunday, December 21, 2014

Advent Devotional, December 21

Isaiah 42:1-9
 
See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.”
(Isaiah 42:9)
 
Movie trailers have become a significant part of the movie-going experience.  In fact, special productions are now made just for television that offer extended-play introductions of feature films.   Studios use them to promote future projects while fans see them as enticements for future trips to the movies, or perhaps as evidence for why they should stay away.  Truth be told, we like to know what’s coming…to have inside information to inform our thoughts and actions.
 
Speaking through the prophet, the Eternal One offers a preview of what is to come.  For a people in exile, this is the good news of deliverance, something new that will ultimately bring transformation.  From Abraham to Isaiah, Moses to Zechariah, God‘s promises find fulfillment, and men and women of faith find encouragement in the faithfulness of God.
 
Gospel writer, Matthew, in celebrating Joseph’s decision to take Mary as his wife, confirms the preview the prophet Isaiah foretold as he writes, “All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:‘Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,’ which means, ‘God is with us.’”  Preview fulfilled…Amen.
 
Prayer: Dear Lord, you are ever faithful.  Continue to do something new in me. Amen.
 
Jim Abernathy

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