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December 2, 2012
Day 27
Waiting for His Hand
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Dear Praying Friend,
Today marks the beginning of the Advent season - a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. As we enter this final month of the year, may we take the time to focus on the true meaning of this season and really reflect on the goodness of the Lord - His provision, His protection, and His presence in our lives, this past year in particular - and look forward, with anticipation and joy, for the new year and His future arrival. For the next four Sundays we will include an additional devotional to our prayer journey as we prepare our hearts for Christmas (see Advent devotional below).
As we meditate on Psalm 38:13-16 today, David has come to the end - the end of trying to fight back, argue, or make excuses. His senses have failed; no longer able to see, or hear, or speak he does the only thing he can do - wait. He knows that the Lord will act on his behalf, so he places his confidence in the One Who has never let him down. Even though he has let His Lord down he knows the Lord has not turn His back on him. "Why so downcast, O my soul!...put your hope in God..." (Psalm 42:5). We've all experienced at one time or another that feeling of helplessness in the midst of a trial or an illness that has stripped us of all our strength. May we take note from David's lecture to his own heart and be encouraged that the Lord is at work on our behalf. Let us surrender ourselves into the all-sufficient, all-knowing, compassionate hands of our Heavenly Father and wait...expectantly!
"I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD."
(Psalm 27:13-14)
Dear Heavenly Father, we praise You for this day You have given us - another glorious day to walk in Your will, to spend time in Your Word, and to be about Your business. How privileged we are to know You personally and to be able to come to You at any moment of this day. Thank You, that even when our thoughts are not on You, there is not a moment that You have not stopped thinking about us. When we are facing a dark and desperate moment and fail to see Your hand - we can have peace knowing that You are there guiding our way. When the noise and chaos swirl about us and distract us from spending time with You - You break through the storm and whisper: 'I am here'. When we are being mocked or ridiculed and we have no voice to defend ourselves - You speak in our defense. How blessed and how grateful we are that You are always there. As we enter this season of advent - we look back and remember with gratitude Your first coming, we look at this month with joy as we celebrate Your birth, and we look to the future with longing and anticipation of Your return. Help us to wait patiently, knowing full well You are a God who keeps His promises. Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear what Your Spirit is saying to the Church. Help us to never lose hope, but, instead, to remain steadfast and diligent in our preparation so we will be ready when You come for your Bride. All glory, and praise, and honor are Yours, Lord Jesus. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for
and certain of what we do not see."
(Hebrews 11:1)
Waiting expectantly, praying fervently,
Traci Alexander
Psalm 27
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Prayer Scripture References: Psalm 42:5; 62: 1, 5; Isaiah 6:9-10; Matthew 28:20; Revelation 3:22; 22:20.
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