Introduction
Hello church and welcome to our Advent journey! May this time you’ve set aside to spend in the word guard your heart and mind with Jesus’ Peace.
Let’s begin with a brief pause to settle our thoughts and prepare room in our hearts for the Lord to work.
Let’s begin with a brief pause to settle our thoughts and prepare room in our hearts for the Lord to work.
Opening Prayer
Faithful and Satisfying Father, thank you for helping us make time to focus on you. Please fill our hunger with a Peace that passes understanding. As these passages become more familiar, help us to see and understand new and wonderful things found therein. By Your Spirit’s equipping, transform us with Your Presence oh Lord.
Today's Scripture - Luke 1:46-56
And Mary said;
“My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant,
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
For the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
“My soul glorifies the LORD and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant,
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
For the Mighty One has done great things for me -- holy is His name.
His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as He said to our fathers.”
Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.
God's word to us, a lamp for our feet, a light on our path. Thanks be to God.
Reflection
Oh to find the thing that will fully, finally satisfy! We try and try and try to find what will work, what will last, what will gratify the ache and hunger inside. And the Lord has given us so many good things that nourish. Things for us to enjoy and appreciate. There are times we get to bask in these things - really good food, good friends and loving family, freedom to gather in worship and remembrance of our God who loves us so. He does fill the hungry with good things. He does set the lonely in families. He does restore us and refresh us, leading us to green pastures and still waters. This is true and it is good for us to think on all the ways the Lord has provided for our physical, spiritual, and emotional hunger.
And when all is stripped away, when sudden and unexpected death, deprivation, loss, or lack become part of our story, We have a God who refreshes the weary and satisfies the faint. We have a God who has promised that weeping may last for the night, but Joy comes in the morning. This is the One who gives orders to the morning and shows the dawn its place, who fixes the limits of the ocean; declaring; “This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt!” Our God does not grow tired or weary, and His understanding is unfathomable. He invites us to come to Him when we are emptied out, hungry, thirsty, and carrying heavy burdens. He promises to give us rest for our souls. He promises to help us. He promises that He is with us.
He always keeps His promises.
Mary quite possibly knew hunger. We know that she knew poverty. She also knew the Lord’s glorious satisfying provision and thus honestly and authentically could declare; “He has filled the hungry with good things”
Whether you are in a season of feasting or fasting - one thing remains sure and steadfast. The joy of knowing and being known by the Creator of the Universe satisfies fully. We said earlier that if all the Lord gave was Jesus to save us - it would be enough. But that is not all He gives. He gives us the Holy Spirit. He gives us comfort. He gives us good things to nourish and encourage. He gives us an unshakable Kingdom. He gives us His presence. He gives us rest. It is worth repeating Mary’s praise song; “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. The Mighty One has done great things for me and Holy is His name.” Let us repeat, repeat, repeat the sounding Joy of the goodness, faithfulness, and power of our Mighty God.
And when all is stripped away, when sudden and unexpected death, deprivation, loss, or lack become part of our story, We have a God who refreshes the weary and satisfies the faint. We have a God who has promised that weeping may last for the night, but Joy comes in the morning. This is the One who gives orders to the morning and shows the dawn its place, who fixes the limits of the ocean; declaring; “This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt!” Our God does not grow tired or weary, and His understanding is unfathomable. He invites us to come to Him when we are emptied out, hungry, thirsty, and carrying heavy burdens. He promises to give us rest for our souls. He promises to help us. He promises that He is with us.
He always keeps His promises.
Mary quite possibly knew hunger. We know that she knew poverty. She also knew the Lord’s glorious satisfying provision and thus honestly and authentically could declare; “He has filled the hungry with good things”
Whether you are in a season of feasting or fasting - one thing remains sure and steadfast. The joy of knowing and being known by the Creator of the Universe satisfies fully. We said earlier that if all the Lord gave was Jesus to save us - it would be enough. But that is not all He gives. He gives us the Holy Spirit. He gives us comfort. He gives us good things to nourish and encourage. He gives us an unshakable Kingdom. He gives us His presence. He gives us rest. It is worth repeating Mary’s praise song; “My soul magnifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior. For He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. The Mighty One has done great things for me and Holy is His name.” Let us repeat, repeat, repeat the sounding Joy of the goodness, faithfulness, and power of our Mighty God.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
Let men their songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy.
Closing Prayer
As you go about your day, carry this short prayer with you:
Lord Jesus, you are good, faithful, and powerful.
In my hunger, help my heart to remember that You satisfy.
In my hunger, help my heart to remember that You satisfy.
Take a few moments now to pray to God who fills the hungry with good things.
Thank you for joining us today. We will be back again on Friday to introduce our Advent reading of the Shepherds’ and Angels’ praise. Until then, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you.
