Devotion - December 5, 2023

 As we begin this second week of Advent, we are focusing on HOPE - as shown in these verses from Psalm 85:8, 10-12 (NIV): 

“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.

Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, and righteousness will look down from the sky.  The Lord will give what is good.”

At this time of the year, our lives are so chaotic.  We are involved in many projects, too many commitments, and our lists grow longer each day.  Besides all of this, we live in a world that is even more chaotic, with wars, guns, skirmishes, disagreements, violence and hatred involving people in many communities and countries.  It is truly overwhelming.

So how do we center ourselves on hope in such chaos?  

The answer is simple. We need to stop and be quiet. Then we need to take a good, long look at ourselves.  And then we need to have a long talk with God.  If we want the chaos to stop, we need to find peace within ourselves and our relationship with God. 

God will help us find peace, no matter what. For the word “peace” not only means the absence of war; it also means having everything you need within yourself, to feel whole. Peace, tranquility and love. Peace begins with each one of us, and then we must share our peace, our tranquility, and our love with everyone we encounter.

HOPE - God gives us hope, starting with each new day that God gives us.  God promises to never leave us.  That’s the hope we need to focus on.   Amen.

Rev. Suzanne Ellis