| Isaiah 26:1-6 View Readings | Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 19-21, 25-27 | Matthew 7:21, 24-27 |
After the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, back in 2005, some of the engineers who examined the breached levees in New Orleans found that some of those structures were built on sand and were breached not because of the force of the surge, but because of the poor foundation.
On this fifth day of Advent, our head about to us about "a strong city" (Is 26:1), "a nation of firm purpose" (Is 26:3), and a house "solidly set on rock" (Mt 7:25). God's Word is calling us to be strong, firm, and solid by building our lives on obedience to the Lord, the "eternal Rock"
Advent can really bring out the best and the worst of human nature. We continue to hear stories of people trampling each other on black Friday, as if all concern for the happiness and welfare of our neighbor takes back seat to being first to get that good deal. Advent, instead of being a time of peace, for many, becomes a time of exhausting frenzy.
On the other hand, during Advent, we do see, so many people strive to focus less on themselves; they look for ways to be generous with their time and abilities, focusing more on prayer and service; they make their annual confession, and try with God’s help to turn over a new leaf.
They understand that Advent is not meant to be an exhausting, frantic, search for the right present, but a passionate, refreshing search for the Savior.
Advent has a unique way of manifesting whether our lives our built on the strong, firm, solid foundation of God’s word, or the shallow, fragmented, unsound foundation of worldliness.
What does Jesus say makes the difference between a life headed for disaster and a life that is solid? Jesus teaches in his Sermon on the Mount, focus your life on doing the will of God, curb your anger, reconcile with enemies, curb your lust, be faithful in marriage, speak with straightforward honesty, respond to hostility with nonviolence, with a spirit of trust and childlike dependence turn to God in prayer.
God’s word is the strong, firm, solid foundation for a happy marriage, a right society, a rightly ordered Church, a joy-filled life.
As Christmas nears, may we continue to turn away from worldliness and build our lives on the eternal Rock of God, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
On this fifth day of Advent, our head about to us about "a strong city" (Is 26:1), "a nation of firm purpose" (Is 26:3), and a house "solidly set on rock" (Mt 7:25). God's Word is calling us to be strong, firm, and solid by building our lives on obedience to the Lord, the "eternal Rock"
Advent can really bring out the best and the worst of human nature. We continue to hear stories of people trampling each other on black Friday, as if all concern for the happiness and welfare of our neighbor takes back seat to being first to get that good deal. Advent, instead of being a time of peace, for many, becomes a time of exhausting frenzy.
On the other hand, during Advent, we do see, so many people strive to focus less on themselves; they look for ways to be generous with their time and abilities, focusing more on prayer and service; they make their annual confession, and try with God’s help to turn over a new leaf.
They understand that Advent is not meant to be an exhausting, frantic, search for the right present, but a passionate, refreshing search for the Savior.
Advent has a unique way of manifesting whether our lives our built on the strong, firm, solid foundation of God’s word, or the shallow, fragmented, unsound foundation of worldliness.
What does Jesus say makes the difference between a life headed for disaster and a life that is solid? Jesus teaches in his Sermon on the Mount, focus your life on doing the will of God, curb your anger, reconcile with enemies, curb your lust, be faithful in marriage, speak with straightforward honesty, respond to hostility with nonviolence, with a spirit of trust and childlike dependence turn to God in prayer.
God’s word is the strong, firm, solid foundation for a happy marriage, a right society, a rightly ordered Church, a joy-filled life.
As Christmas nears, may we continue to turn away from worldliness and build our lives on the eternal Rock of God, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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