December 6, 2018

Sarah Beaverson ’18

PSALM 18, 62; ISAIAH 2:5-22; 1 THESSALONIANS 3:1-13; LUKE 20:27-40

Today’s Psalm (Psalm 18:1-20) reminds us of the great power of God’s love and comfort when we are faced with destruction and overwhelmed by the negative forces of our world. In the Psalm, the Lord rescues David from the hand of his enemies. It states, “The cords of death entangled me; the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me. The cords of the grave coiled around me; the snares of death confronted me. In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried to my God for help”. The resolution of the Psalm is God coming down from the heavens and rescuing David from his enemies. He says, “[My enemies] confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support. He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me”. This last line stuck out to me the most: he rescued me because he delighted in me. When we are surrounded by enemies and destruction and despair – whether it be people around us or situations in the world that seems too enormous and out of our hands to solve – we can be reminded that God is there to support us. Because of his great love for us, he delights in rescuing and comforting us. This passage ties nicely into the season of Christmas. Because of God’s love, he came down to rescue his people in the form of Jesus. He rescued us because he delighted in us. I hope this passage reminds you this advent season that God delights in you. He is listening for your cries and prays and hears them. In times where you’re overwhelmed by disparities or darkness, look for God’s support and comfort and trust in his endless love for you.