38, 119:25-48
Isaiah 6:1-13 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 John 7:53-8:11
In Psalm 38:21-22, King David is anguished. Chaos and hopelessness attend to him. He grieves evil committed against him and transgressions he’s committed. He is in despair and seeks God for solace and peace. “Do not forsake me, O Lord…do not be far from me; make haste to help me.” Today, we wrestle with our own chaos and hopelessness. From harm to our planet, rancor in our politics, economic uncertainty to callous treatment of the least of us, today, we cry out, “God, don’t be far from us.” We seek the same assurance and comfort that David did. But, we, who walk with and encourage the hopeless, are reminded that we carry the holy presence of God. We are those who sit before God’s throne, present anxious prayers of the people and embrace godly courage. We witness God’s goodness in the shade of a tree, the taste of cool water on lips, and the help extended to the lost. We must not faint for God’s message is of love and hope, mercy and forgiveness. It is a message freely given to all who receive it; a message offered equally to the privileged and minoritized. We carry God’s message to all who await it.
This Advent, as we turn to the promise of the season, let us remember that God is near. We bring God to all who seek him. God is near because he is with us and within us.
O Holy God, this Advent, be near us. Remind us that we carry you and your message of hope and love to all who need it. Amen.
Listen to Flora read her Advent meditation and prayer:
