An Advent Journey, 2013: Looking for the Light – Day Two

December 2, 2013 By

 

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If it had not been the Lord who was on our side
—let Israel now say—
if it had not been the Lord who was on our side,
when our enemies attacked us,
then they would have swallowed us up alive,
when their anger was kindled against us;
then the flood would have swept us away,
the torrent would have gone over us;
then over us would have gone
the raging waters.

Blessed be the Lord,
who has not given us
as prey to their teeth.
We have escaped like a bird
from the snare of the fowlers;
the snare is broken,
and we have escaped.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
— Psalm 124, NRSV

We wait for the coming,
of the babe,
and of the Christ.
And every coming
is marked by this one thing,
this splendid, unique,
life-changing truth:
freedom.

“the snare is broken,
and we have escaped. . .”
This is the center,
the truth that holds
everything together.

The Lord is on our side.
Who could imagine?
On our side,
come what may,
even when what comes
brings heartache,
pain and fear.

And the truth is also this:
to know the unshackling,
to find the Presence,
there is only one way,
one road,
one thing required:

waiting.

It is in the waiting,
that we are changed,
we are saved,
we are made free.

Hallelujah.
Amen.

Teach us more about waiting, O Lord. We don’t like it, we resist and rebel, but oh! we must learn, we must. Thank you for forming us in this waiting time.

* As an added Advent bonus, I heartily recommend you click on this link and meander over to SheLoves fine post on Random Acts of Advent Kindness. I’m going to try and do this as often as possible and I encourage you all to check it out for yourselves.

Filed Under: Advent, An Advent Journey, biblical reflection, church year, daily devo, Encouragement, God's gifts, personal journey, Waiting

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Comments

  1. Megan Willome says
    December 2, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    On Sunday (first day of Advent, new year’s), I was overcome by exactly what is written here in Psalm 124. I was crying tears of relief, amazed that we didn’t drown, that the fiery anger did not consume us, that we somehow escaped.

    • Diana says
      December 2, 2013 at 4:28 pm

      Amen, amen. Some days it just sneaks up and whaps you upside the head with tears and gratitude and relief. Glad you found some of that on Sunday.

  2. idelette says
    December 2, 2013 at 10:56 pm

    So beautiful, Diana!

    I’m sitting with these words tonight as I read: “The Lord is on our side.
    Who could imagine?”

  3. laura says
    December 4, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    I’m so glad to walk with you through the Advent season. You always know how to tune my heart just right, friend. Love to you.

  4. Gwen Acres says
    December 10, 2013 at 10:49 am

    “…the snare is broken and we have escaped…” Thank you for this reminder that we are indeed free people!