“Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
that his glory may dwell in our land.” –Psalm 85:9
In our Advent season we sing “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” and long for our Messiah to come and be near to us. Long before Jesus was born, the Hebrew people had a similar prayer. They prayed that God would restore God’s people, healing them of their ailments and failures, and making good out of everything that is wrong with the world. This Psalm captures the hope of God making things right, for the Psalmist looks forward to the day when God’s glory will dwell in the land. In this day, “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” (verses 10-11).
Advent is the season in which we wait with the Psalmist for God’s glory to “dwell in our land.” As we remember the birth of Jesus and look forward to his second coming, we wait for God to right everything that is wrong in this world. Can you imagine what the world will be like when God’s glory dwells in our land? No more pain or sorrow, no more betrayal or fear.
And yet, as we wait for God to make everything right we also recognize that Christ is with us today, accomplishing this hope through our very lives. God is making things right even today, even through us. When we follow Jesus and give our lives to the purposes of God, God works through us to reveal the goodness and steadfast love of God. When we reach out to those in need. When we stand up for what’s right. When we refuse to let other people be mistreated. When we care for the earth. When we comfort the bereaved or visit the lonely. God’s glory dwells in the land through the stories of our lives.
Today I invite you to give yourself to God’s purposes, praying that God would use your life to reveal God’s glory.
Advent Blessings,
Laura
Advent Blessings,
Laura
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