Monday Devotional: November 28, 2022

This is what Isaiah, Amoz’s son, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In the days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of the mountains. It will be lifted above the hills; peoples will stream to it. (Isaiah 2:1-2)

When we turn to Isaiah, we are in the genre of prophecy, not uncommon within the first testament. Isaiah describes the prophecy as something that he saw, a series of vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem. Isaiah’s words urge us to see with a hopeful imagination and to embody that vision in our very lives.

Isaiah is sweeping as it relays the vision. For Jerusalem, there will be judgment, destruction, and exile. There will also be restoration and finally, a reunification and reorganization. Isaiah uses vivid and colorful language to describe what the prophet sees. The rich words and imagery in Isaiah invite us to join in the prophetic seeing of God’s justice and restoration- not only for this text, but for our entire journey towards Christmas. We approach God’s Scripture as the beautiful and enlivening words which empower and encourage us to embody God’s hope for the world.

A lot of the hesitation for people who have never encountered the church exists because they see Christians lacking the very things we say are foundational to faith: love, grace, justice, and peace. This season needs less words telling people about God’s vision and more prophetic living.

Prayer

God, we dream of the day when all people will stream not our churches but to your house. Help us to be the connection between the words of Scripture and the ways justice and restoration for Your people. Amen. .

By Anna Guillozet, Advent: A Calendar of Devotions 2022, p.3.

Join us for Our Advent Bible Study

“Prepare the Way of the Lord” by Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas.

Wednesday, November 30, 2022
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Fellowship Hall