Advent Devotional Nov 28
Week One:
Creating Shalom means Bringing Hope
Monday, November 28, 2022
“What if?” – Read Psalm 124
If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. (vv. 2-5, NIV)
Do you ever find yourself wondering, “What if…?” It can be a fun game to play. “What if I win a million dollars?” “What if I get into all the schools for which I’ve applied?” “What if we get married in Hawaii?” It can also be a scary game to play. “What if my spouse doesn’t forgive me?” “What if I lose my job?” “What if I get sick?” Life is full of ups and downs, and we don’t always know what to expect. Sometimes we anticipate the best, and sometimes we can’t help but anticipate the worst.
The Israelites were wondering, “What if…?” after some scary moments in their lives. We know they were often threatened by violent attacks and invasions by foreign powers. Remembering how God had been faithful in those moments gave them hope for the future. “If God had not been on our side…,” but because God was and is on our side, we can say with confidence, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (v. 8).
In times when we wonder “what if,” it is helpful to remember the ways that God has poured out blessings and been present in the past in times of need. Our God is faithful! God is the God of our past, present, and future. God has been, is, and will be on our side.
Praise to you, O Lord, because we are still alive! We have made it through past confusions. We have survived the difficult times that have come our way. At times we felt absolutely trapped, but you always set us free. This means we always have hope, because you, the Creator of the universe, are the One who is on our side. Amen.
Rev. Wendi Neal
Senior Associate Pastor, McFarlin United Methodist Church, Norman, OK
“What if?” – Read Psalm 124
If the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us, they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us; the flood would have engulfed us, the torrent would have swept over us, the raging waters would have swept us away. (vv. 2-5, NIV)
Do you ever find yourself wondering, “What if…?” It can be a fun game to play. “What if I win a million dollars?” “What if I get into all the schools for which I’ve applied?” “What if we get married in Hawaii?” It can also be a scary game to play. “What if my spouse doesn’t forgive me?” “What if I lose my job?” “What if I get sick?” Life is full of ups and downs, and we don’t always know what to expect. Sometimes we anticipate the best, and sometimes we can’t help but anticipate the worst.
The Israelites were wondering, “What if…?” after some scary moments in their lives. We know they were often threatened by violent attacks and invasions by foreign powers. Remembering how God had been faithful in those moments gave them hope for the future. “If God had not been on our side…,” but because God was and is on our side, we can say with confidence, “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (v. 8).
In times when we wonder “what if,” it is helpful to remember the ways that God has poured out blessings and been present in the past in times of need. Our God is faithful! God is the God of our past, present, and future. God has been, is, and will be on our side.
Praise to you, O Lord, because we are still alive! We have made it through past confusions. We have survived the difficult times that have come our way. At times we felt absolutely trapped, but you always set us free. This means we always have hope, because you, the Creator of the universe, are the One who is on our side. Amen.
Rev. Wendi Neal
Senior Associate Pastor, McFarlin United Methodist Church, Norman, OK
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