“Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you nor My covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you” – Isaiah 54:10

Isaiah is speaking to the people of God during a tumultuous period in their history. The Assyrians are expanding their empire into Israel’s Northern Kingdom and downward. Isaiah says to the defeated Israel, “Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child” (Isaiah 54:1). Are the people supposed to be joyful when they are not fruitful, their covenant with God silent?

Perhaps we can understand the despair the people of Israel were experiencing. It would be understandable with all that is going on in our world, country, and maybe even in our own personal lives. Feelings of loss, fear, guilt, failure and even hopelessness may creep into our thoughts. Some nights, when I pray for my children, grandchildren, students, the poor, the world, I am overwhelmed with fear. I have to take a deep breath and pray for peace. Isaiah reminds us of God’s faithfulness. God, the birth of Christ, is light in our darkness.

Theodore James Ryken’s words, “March on in faith,” are prophetic. During this season of Advent, of hope, of joy, we pray with confidence,

Though the mountains leave their place and the hills be shaken, Your love, Lord, shall never leave us, nor Your covenant of peace be shaken.

Amen.

Karen White

To view the full Advent 2022 booklet in English, click here.

For Spanish, click here.

For French, click here.

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