2 Peter
3:8–14—Isaiah wrote his prophecy of
the coming of Christ seven hundred years before He came. It must have seemed an
interminable amount of time for those who lived during those years, wondering
when God would fulfill His promises. But the Apostle Peter reminds us that the
Lord has His own timetable, and a good purpose for accomplishing things in His
own time. He further admonishes us to be ready for the Lord’s Second Coming at
any time, and to live lives of holiness and godliness waiting for that day.
These days leading up to the celebration of Christmas
might seem at times overwhelming with an entire laundry list of things which
need to be accomplished before the celebrations can begin. There are gifts to
purchase, cards to send, a house to be made ready, sweets to be baked and
decorated. With so much activity we can so easily become distracted that we
lose sight of the reasons for such preparations in the first place.
The Advent season helps us regain our focus and thus a
perspective. The message of Advent is simple. We prepare for the Lord’s second
coming so that we may rejoice when we annually celebrate His first coming. When
we focus on the fact that the Lord’s second return will arrive at the proper
time we can see our preparations for Christmas in a new light.
A sainted pastor and mentor would often say, “When reckoned in the councils of God, who
cares!” That’s a good perspective. Our focus should be twofold. In the
Advent season preparing for the Lord’s final visitation helps us get ready to
celebration His entrance into our world. The birth of a baby led to the death
of a man who will usher in His kingdom at the proper time. That’s your focus
for this day. Set your sights on what is to come. It is enough. Everything will
fall into place. And if your “Do Do” list isn’t complete by week’s end, “when reckoned in the councils of God, who
cares!”
Stir up your
power, O Lord, and come. Protect us by your strength and save us from the
threatening dangers of our sins, for you live and reign with the Father and the
Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.[1]
Advent © Ed Riojas, Higher Things
[1]
Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St Louis
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