UCA SA - Reflection of the Week - 12th December 2023

Reflection of the Week - 12th December 2023

By E Baily

Posted Dec 12, 2023 in Faith

An Advent Reflection

Jeremiah 33:14-16

‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfil the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. In those days and at that time I will make a righteous branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.’

Let’s put ourselves in the place of the people that Jeremiah was speaking to. A nation on the brink of destruction, leaders carried off into exile, attacked on every side by their enemies, their own leaders rendered powerless; the people of Judah had every reason to despair. All did indeed seem lost. It was then that Jeremiah called them back to God’s promise, reminding them that the time was coming when one of David’s descendants would again be king. And he wouldn’t be like most of their kings, corrupt, weak and ungodly. No, he would ‘do what is just and right’ and all would be restored. It would be another 600 years before the promise was realised in the birth of Jesus.

A couple of thousand years later, we too are waiting for the coming of Jesus. We long for that moment when everything will be made right; when our world will be released from pain, poverty and injustice. We wait in hope, however; sure in the knowledge that God’s promises never fail, and that Jesus is already King.

Dear God, during this season of Advent, help me to keep my eyes on you and your promises. May my hope come from the certain knowledge that your promises are for all time and that you are with us, bringing your Kingdom to earth even now. Let my actions, words and choices help to extend your Kingdom wherever I go this week.

Amen