Advent Devotion – December 6 – Catherine Hanson

My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant.

Luke 1:46-55

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 

Today our lives are filled with uncertainty. Will I be infected by this worldwide virus? Will my family, my friends, my co-workers be infected? Will I lose my job, my house? Will my children, my grandchildren fall behind in their education? In what ways will America, and the rest of the world, change as a result of today’s turmoil, today’s anger in the streets, today’s divisiveness?

As we struggle with this chaos and uncertainty, we need to remember that past generations also experienced chaos and uncertainty. From our vantage point, the times in which they lived is history. We know what happened. We know the end of their story. We know when it all worked out and, when it didn’t, we know what they should have done for a better result. But to them, the times were confusing and fraught with peril. We need to remember that just as God was with our ancestors, God is with us now.

God provided comfort to the Israelites during their exodus to the Promised Land. God provided manna when they were wandering in the desert. God provided a cloud during the day and a fire at night to lead the way. I doubt we would call it being comforted to be left to wander in the desert for forty years, but God gave His people this time so they could develop into a nation, into a cohesive group that could self-govern once they arrived in the promised land.

Just as the Israelites doubted God’s presence during their exile and exodus, we may not see God now or understand how God is with us, but we need to remember God does not fail us. Luke 1:46-55 describes ways in which God provides hope and salvation to all, especially the lowly.

Catherine Hanson

Core Idea: During this Advent season, let’s remember to look to God for our hope and comfort as God promises to be with us always.