Advent Devotional: Week Two - Monday
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 5:10
“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
We know that, according to Scripture, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). Peter also warns Christians to be watchful, for Satan is seeking to devour you (1 Peter 5:8). Trials and tribulation will come for all who are in Christ and yet we know that trials and tribulation are the testing of our faith. We are to endure with patience trials and suffering. We are to rejoice in our sufferings for Christ. Suffering is only for a little while because we can rest in God’s promise of Grace.
God has called His people to eternal glory in Christ. There is a day coming in which Christ is going to return and judge all wickedness and put an end to death for all eternity. On that day we will be able to shout praise to God and sing, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:55-56).
The Creator of the universe will Himself restore all things. He will purify the universe and all that is in it. As John declared, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Revelation 21:1-2).
We rest in God’s promise knowing that He will strength us and establish us to live for Him. We know that when we live to glorify God, we will enjoy Him because He is a holy, righteous, just, loving, merciful, gracious, and good God who deserves to be worshiped to the fullest. He will not share His glory with anyone. We long for the day when we will reign in His glory and be in His presence for all eternity living in perfect harmony with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Father, help me to be sober-minded in all things and help me to be watchful, for I know that Satan seeks to devour me. By the power of the Holy Spirit, please help me to resist Him and His temptations and make me stand firm in my faith. I know that suffering is going to come, please help me to endure sufferings and hardships with patience and joy, knowing that you are with me and that sufferings will only last for a little while and that one day you will put an end to all suffering. Help me to trust in you and your ways and to not lean on my own understanding. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Advent Singing: God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength
God is our refuge and our strength, in straits a present aid; Therefore, although the earth remove, we will not be afraid:
Though hills amidst the seas be cast;
Though waters roaring make, And troubled be; yea, though the hills, by swelling seas do shake.
A river is, whose streams do glad the city of our God; The holy place, wherein the Lord most high hath his abode.
God in the midst of her doth dwell; nothing shall her remove: The Lord to her an helper will, and that right early, prove.
The heathen rag’d tumultuously, the kingdoms moved were: The Lord God uttered his voice, the earth did melt for fear.
The Lord of hosts upon our side doth constantly remain: The God of Jacob’s our refuge, us safely to maintain.
Come, and behold what wondrous works have by the Lord been wrought; Come, see what desolations he on the earth hath brought.
Unto the ends of all the earth wars into peace he turns: The bow he breaks, the spear he cuts, in fire the chariot burns.
Be still, and know that I am God; among the heathen I Will be exalted; I on earth will be exalted high.
Our God, who is the Lord of hosts, is still upon our side; The God of Jacob our refuge for ever will abide.
