Advent Week 1 . . . Read the Disclaimer First!

walking in the truth during Advent

Disclaimer #1:  Although I will reference the recent election, I pledge that this is a totally, non-partisan devotional.

Today's Truth from Scripture

(Jesus said), "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father . . . therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come . . . So you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him." Matthew 24:36, 42, 44

Today's devotional thoughts

I am typing this devotional on the afternoon of TUE 11/8, so, as I compose it, I obviously I do not know the results of our national election. Also, obviously, if you are reading this devotional today, the odds are in my favor that the world did not come to an end on WED 11/9, regardless of the final vote tally that was reported the morning after.

Nor should that be a surprise to any Biblically-literature Christian! We have Jesus' own words from the Gospel of Matthew assuring us that even Jesus--the "Son of Man''--was not privy to the Father's knowledge of "that day or hour." Contrary to the assurances from either end of the political spectrum, I doubt if those pundits had a special dispensation from the Holy Spirit to prophesy "that day or hour."

Do you think St. Paul knew "on what Day" our Lord would come when he wrote the following words in Romans?

More Truth from Scripture

"Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light." Romans 13:10-12

Some closing devotional thoughts

Despite the darkness of this year's election cycle . . . despite the darkness of the world in general . . . God's love & mercy still prevail. His love & mercy still shine a light into our lives.

And His love & mercy enable us to 

• Repent
• To be forgiven & believe
• Put aside our darkness
• Shine His love into the lives of others through our testimony & acts of mercy.

A Prayer of Thanksgiving *

For the fruits of His creation, Thanks be to God.
For His gifts to every nation, Thanks be to God.
For the plowing, sowing, reaping, Silent growth while we are sleeping.
Future needs in earth's safe-keeping, Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labor, God's will is done.
In the help we give our neighbor, God's will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring For the hungry and despairing, 
In the harvests we are sharing, God's will be done.

For the harvests of the Spirit, Thanks be to God.
For the good we all inherit, Thanks be to God.
For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us, Thanks be to God.

* SOURCE:  "For the Fruits of His Creation," Lutheran Service Book, #894.

Disclaimer #2:  This is a devotional that I adapted from one that I wrote for The Headliner, a weekly e-newsletter, published by Orphan Grain Train.