The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

The Candle of Hope

The Sunday Lectionary Readings

SUNDAY, December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

(Revised Common Lectionary Year C)

Opening Prayer

This is Advent, season of promise. In our worship we prepare for the birth of a baby in a dusty stable in Bethlehem, and remind ourselves that this child will become the Savior of the World who will return again in power and glory to draw all of his children together with songs of everlasting praise. The promise of the baby is also the promise of eternal life to all who believe.

God of hope and promise, be with us throughout this Advent season and draw us ever closer as we journey together toward the stable and the birth of your Son, our Savior. Amen

Advent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of Advent

The Gospel of John speaks of Christ as the true light coming into the world. In commemoration of that coming, we light candles for the four weeks leading to Christmas and reflect on the coming of Christ.  It is significant that the church has always used that language—the coming of Christ—because it speaks to a deep truth. Christ is coming. Christ is always coming, always entering a troubled world, a wounded heart. And so we light the first candle, the candle of hope, and dare to express our longing for peace, for healing, and the well-being of all creation.

Loving God, as we enter this Advent season, We open all the dark places in our lives and memories to the healing light of Christ. Show us the creative power of hope. Prepare our hearts to be transformed by you, That we may walk in the light of Christ. Amen.

The Collect

Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

Trusting God's promise of forgiveness, let us confess our sins against God and one another.

Most merciful God, We confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have failed to do. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry, and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Words of Reassurance

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world.

~ 1 John 1:9, 2:1b-2 NIV

The Lessons

First Reading

Jeremiah 33:14-16
The Righteous Branch and the Covenant with David
33:14 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 15 In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. 16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

The Psalm

Psalm 25:1-10 Ad te, Domine, levavi
Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul;
my God, I put my trust in you; *

let me not be humiliated,
nor let my enemies triumph over me.

2 Let none who look to you be put to shame; *

let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

3 Show me your ways, O Lord, *

and teach me your paths.

4 Lead me in your truth and teach me, *

for you are the God of my salvation;
in you have I trusted all the day long.

5 Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, *

for they are from everlasting.

6 Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; *

remember me according to your love
and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

7 Gracious and upright is the Lord; *

therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

8 He guides the humble in doing right *

and teaches his way to the lowly.

9 All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness *

to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

Second Reading

1 Thessalonians 3:9-13
3:9 How can we thank God enough for you in return for all the joy that we feel before our God because of you? 10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you face to face and restore whatever is lacking in your faith.

11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we abound in love for you. 13 And may he so strengthen your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

The Gospel

Luke 21:25-36
The Coming of the Son of Man
21:25 “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26 People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree
29 Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; 30 as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Exhortation to Watch
34 “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Here ends the Lessons

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Benediction

Lord God, I sense your power, your might and I stand in awe, painfully aware of how poor and weak I am before you.

As I begin this Advent journey, teach me to turn to you in my fear and sorrow. I don't want to keep making my heart hard against you turning a deaf ear to your invitation.

Only you can help me to soften, to be like the clay in your gentle potter's hands. Amen. 

Optional parts of the readings are set off in square brackets.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Collects, Psalms and Canticles are from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979.
“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

"Is it about to happen?" The Sermon for SUNDAY, December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

"Is it about to happen?"

The Holy Gospel comes to us today from Luke the 21st chapter, beginning at the 25th verse.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Then he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees; as soon as they sprout leaves you can see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. “Be on guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life, and that day does not catch you unexpectedly, like a trap. For it will come upon all who live on the face of the whole earth. Be alert at all times, praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:25-36, NRSV

Dear Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the gift of life and all that is needed to sustain us from day to day, but we are often unappreciative. You have revealed the depth of your love for us, through the life, death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus the Christ, yet we often fail to share your love with others. Through our baptism, you have claimed us as children of your kingdom, and heirs of eternal life, yet we often fail to express our gratitude for your gift of grace. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, move us to deeper faith, and empower us to live our lives in thanksgiving. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.

Such a text. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, family discord, signs of the end of the world. Could be the nightly 11:00 news. We’ve heard it and seen it all. If we were of a certain theological bent, we would talk about the end of the world and see all sorts of proof of it about to happen.

Is it about to happen? How do we live in such times? How are we to live as disciples?

Look how far we have come.

The disciples come out of the temple and are awed by the magnificent temple. No doubt images of their history was running through their minds -- "My father was a wandering Aramean. Abraham was no more than a gypsy and now here they are, God’s chosen people with this wonderful temple. We don’t have to take a back seat to anyone." Surely they had reason to be proud and if they congratulated themselves a bit, you can hardly blame them. They had come a long way.

Today we look around at our city and our country and find it hard to imagine what a 100 years ago this area was like. Existence was hard, communication was a chore and life was a challenge. Today we look at the technology that exists, the pace of life, the ease presented by our economy and we see that we have come a long way.

In the appearance of so much stability, Jesus looks around and tells us of how fragile what we put together really is. He said of the Temple, "Not one stone will be left here upon another." That temple had walls 9 feet thick. The four disciples are taken back by this and ask Jesus, "Tell us, when will this be?" And Jesus warns them not to be lead astray. Don’t let the appearances of stability or permanence fool you. What you see can disappear in an instant. Don’t put your trust in anything other than God, because you will only be disappointed.

We know this only too well this past week. Life that was going on as expected is suddenly changed forever by the death of people who we knew and loved. The fragility of what we know is shown to be so fragile. Possession, relationships, allegiances are all thrown into confusion by the death of a person. Where do we look for permanence? Where do we look for continuity and purpose for life?

Jesus speaks to us words which we know so well. What can be built, can be destroyed so easily. One car accident, a fire, a slide on the stock market can mean disaster and ruin. Sometimes what we "know" or think we know as certainty is wrenched from us. We see it on the news every night and say a silent prayer of thanksgiving that it is not happening to us.

And Jesus says, "Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, ’I am he.’ and they will lead many astray." We have much which calls for our allegiance today. Powerful forces that offer to give us the purpose to life we so desperately crave, worth in the eyes of others, activity to fill our days. Jesus tells us to beware of putting your faith and trust in things that can be so easily destroyed. We live in a world that puts a high value on selfishness and caring for oneself. We live in a world that values wealth and status above all else. Jesus comes among us and tells us not to be lead astray.

Jesus comes among us as the one who can give the purpose and meaning that we desire for our lives. The purpose and meaning that is found as we live as we are created to live, in relationship with God and with one another. Caring for one another, loving one another and worshiping God who created us. All else is false and a mere house of straw that will be destroyed.

Yes, we will see and hear of earthquakes, wars, and rumors of wars. Yes, our lives and the straw houses of security we build around ourselves will be torn down. But Jesus tells us not to be alarmed. These things will take place but they are merely birth pangs. The pain that tells of new life to come. Sometimes we need our false securities shaken in order to see them for what they are. Sometimes we need to have our important ideas and allegiances shaken to see that they are insignificant in the presence of God. All of these are merely birth pangs. In the midst of the little explosions, stands a God who will not be shaken.

Jesus has so much more in store for us. Jesus comes to show us the kingdom of God happening around us today. The birth is taking place. The false securities are being shown for what they are. God is being shown for who God is -- the maker of heaven and earth. The one in whom all true allegiances lie. The one who sent Jesus among us to show us how to live -- where to put our importance and allegiances.

This is the life spoken of in Hebrews. A time when God says, "I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." A time when, "I will remember their sins no more." In the face of all that would draw us away from God we are encouraged by the writer, "Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he has promised to be faithful." We need to remind ourselves and one another of this because those who would lead us astray are so powerful.

And the writer goes on to tell us how we are to live. "Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds." Find ways to bring out the best in one another, love and caring for others. He presents us with the pillars of the kingdom, the pillars of life in the kingdom. He calls us to worship, be washed in the sprinkle of baptism, gathering and confessing our sins together, building one another up with encouragement and mutual support. In this is life that has meaning, life that has purpose, life that cannot be taken away from us. The words from Hebrews are apt words for us today. In fearful times, don’t isolate ourselves but come together, with other fearful people who know that in the midst of fear stands one who has stared death down and has claimed victory.

In the midst of that which frightens us, we are told to look for Jesus in the midst of it with us. Do not be afraid, cling to that which is right and true, the one who loves us, gives our lives meaning and promises us eternal life, a new birth. Not the end of times but a new life, a new birth.

Lord God, we sense your power, your might and we stand in awe, painfully aware of how poor and weak we are before you.

As we begin this Advent journey, teach us to turn to you in our fears and sorrows. We don't want to keep making our hearts hard against you turning a deaf ear to your invitation.

Only you can help us to soften, to be like the clay in your gentle potter's hands. Amen.

Seeking God?

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The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
Wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, family discord, signs of the end of the world.

The Morning Prayer for SUNDAY, December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

Sunday morning prayer

My loving God, I thank You for bringing me safely to another day of worship. How I desire to praise You with a pure heart and right spirit! To that end, I again ask Your forgiveness for all my sins and renewing of my faith. As I speak to You today, fill my heart with true praise and thankfulness for all You have done for me. Lead me to appreciate more fully the blessings of worshiping with my fellow Christians. Thank You for the opportunity to pray and study Your Word with other believers. Make me a faithful witness in my congregation and my family so that others will see me leaning only on You, who saved me in Jesus Christ.

Lord on this special day, I run into Your loving arms. May Sunday be a celebration, filled with thankfulness, where I connect with the presence of Heaven, seek Your beauty and goodness, and cherish special family time together. Come fill my heart afresh with Your love. May it overflow with Heaven's bounty, moving through this rest day and into the week ahead.

Amen

Advent Wreath Prayer for the First Week of Advent

Stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, O Lord, and come, so that we may escape through Thy protection and be saved by Thy help from the dangers that threaten us because of our sins. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, December 2, 2018 - First Sunday of Advent

Hebrews 1:1-2 (NIV) In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Read all of Hebrews 1

Listen to Hebrews 1

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Un dia a la Vez - Cambios necesarios

Cambios necesarios

Guíame, pues eres mi roca y mi fortaleza, dirígeme por amor a tu nombre.

~ Salmo 31:3 (NVI)

En esta época de Navidad se presentan dos fenómenos muy comunes: La primera, una culpabilidad por no haber hecho lo que nos propusimos; y la segunda, se nos fue un año más y no logramos lo que prometimos. Ahora, deseamos que llegue otra vez el 31 de Diciembre y hacer nuevas promesas de cambio.

Dios quiere que seamos firmes y que no lleguemos a exponernos. La Biblia dice que no «hay nada escondido que no esté destinado a descubrirse» (Marcos 4:22). Además, entre cielo y tierra no hay nada oculto, pues tarde o temprano Dios sacará a la luz cualquier actitud o cualquier falta que cometamos.

Esto lo viví en carne propia. A decir verdad, no quiero enumerar tus faltas ni mucho menos, pero sí te quiero decir cuáles fueron esas esferas que Dios tuvo que moldear o transformar en mí.

Mi anhelo es que no llegues a tocar fondo como yo, sino que reconozcas tus debilidades y puedas rendirlas a Cristo.

Por lo tanto, debes ser radical a fin de que, si ves tu vida reflejada en la mía, comprendas que Dios nos cambia y nos da nuevas oportunidades.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
En esta época de Navidad se presentan dos fenómenos muy comunes: La primera, una culpabilidad por no haber hecho lo que nos propusimos; y la segunda ...

Standing Strong Through the Storm - DISCIPLESHIP FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

DISCIPLESHIP FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

~ Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

Another related function of the church is discipleship. Once we have seen a friend or loved-one come to Christ we have a responsibility to see that they grow in the Lord. In some cultures, if a person saves another’s life, that person becomes responsible for the one saved. This is a good concept for the Christian. If we lead someone else into new life in Christ, we are responsible to see that person learns what the Bible teaches about the Christian life.

The Bible is so important to Christian growth that many Christians want to immediately give a Bible to anyone they may lead to the Lord. In some countries, like China or North Korea, faithful Christians have carried on for years without Bibles, but it was very difficult. They had to depend on Scripture verses that one of their members memorized at some earlier time, or perhaps heard on a Christian radio broadcast. The almost desperate hunger for the Bible among Christians who have been cut off from it for an extended period, dramatically illustrates just how important the Bible is to the Christian life.

If formal training centers have been closed, it is especially imperative that local churches take very seriously their responsibilities to teach (2 Timothy 2:2). This teaching may have to be done on a one-to-one basis whenever a mature Christian and a young Christian can get together.

There are many examples in the Bible of leaders being trained in this way. Besides the clear example of Christ teaching His disciples, we see Barnabas teaching Mark (Acts 12:25; 15:39), Priscilla and Aquila helping Apollos (Acts 18:24-26), and Paul training Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). Paul gives us the most detailed approach to “disciple” a young believer. He taught first by example (1 Corinthians 4:16), then he openly gave himself to his disciples, living with them and sharing all he had (Acts 20:34). His relationship with them was not just "student/ teacher." Rather, he became very personally involved with them (1 Timothy 1:1-2). He gave them responsibilities while they were still in training, and kept in close touch with them even after they had become leaders themselves (I & II Timothy and Titus).

In a prison in Sudan, a pastor quietly discipled a young believer from Muslim background as they were forced to work together. After his release, the young Christian became a dynamic witness for Christ.

RESPONSE: Discipleship is another function of the church and is crucial in the life of a follower of Jesus.

PRAYER: Pray for those in difficult circumstances—such as prison—trying to disciple new believers.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

LHM Daily Devotions - ACCOMPLISHED AMONG US

"ACCOMPLISHED AMONG US"

Dec. 2, 2018

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us.

~ Luke 1:1 (ESV)

Luke is a very methodical man. He does his research, and he talks to eyewitnesses. And he pins down dates and places and people in great detail. As far as Luke is concerned, there is no such thing as being too careful where the story of Jesus is concerned. He writes it as clearly as he can, "so that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught" (Luke 1:4).

Luke is telling the story of "the things that have been accomplished among us" (Luke 1:1). Accomplished by whom? By God, of course. God is the One who accomplished everything Luke wrote about—from the births of John and Jesus, through Jesus' Baptism, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. What started with a tiny baby in His mother's arms ended with the salvation of the whole world, accomplished through God's own self-sacrifice.

And yet what God accomplished did not end there. Luke himself went on to write a sequel to his first book, the book of Acts. Acts tells about what the Holy Spirit accomplished in the early church, from its beginning at Pentecost to a quiet period when Paul was under house arrest but able to preach and teach freely anyway. The second book, but not the story, ends there. There is still more to be accomplished.

Where? In your life and in mine, and in the lives of every Christian. Whether it's through great, dramatic events, or quiet, invisible ones, God is still active, accomplishing His plan for our salvation and re-creation every day. All of us who trust in Jesus are part of the ongoing story—joyful participants in "the things that are being accomplished" among God's people.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for the things You are accomplishing in my life, even when I'm unaware of them. Use me in Your service. In Jesus' Name I ask. Amen.

Advent Devotions were written by Dr. Kari Vo. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Luke is a very methodical man. He does his research, and he talks to eyewitnesses.

ALIMENTO DIARIO

Cumplido entre nosotros

02 de Diciembre de 2018

Muchos han tratado ya de relatar en forma ordenada la historia de los sucesos que ciertamente se han cumplido entre nosotros.

~ Lucas 1:1 (RVC)

Lucas es un hombre muy metódico que investiga, habla con testigos oculares y especifica fechas, lugares y personas con gran detalle. Cuando se trata de narrar la historia de Jesús, no escatima cuidados. Su razón es clara: "para que llegues a conocer bien la verdad de lo que se te ha enseñado" (Lucas 1:4).

Lucas está contando la historia de "lo que se ha cumplido entre nosotros" (Lucas 1:1). ¿Cumplido por quién? Por Dios, por supuesto. Dios fue quien cumplió todo sobre lo que Lucas escribió: desde el nacimiento, bautismo y ministerio de Jesús, hasta su sufrimiento, muerte y resurrección. Lo que comenzó con un pequeño Niño en los brazos de su madre, terminó con la salvación de todo el mundo a través del sacrificio del Hijo de Dios.

Pero no terminó allí. El mismo Lucas escribió una continuación de su primer libro: el libro de Hechos. Allí nos dice lo que el Espíritu Santo hizo en la iglesia primitiva, desde su comienzo en Pentecostés hasta un período tranquilo cuando Pablo estuvo bajo arresto domiciliario, pero en el cual de todos modos pudo predicar y enseñar libremente. Allí termina el libro de Hechos, pero no la historia.

Todavía hay más por lograr. ¿Dónde? En tu vida y en la mía, y en la vida de cada cristiano. Ya sea con acontecimientos grandes y dramáticos o silenciosos e invisibles, Dios sigue cumpliendo su plan para nuestra salvación y re creación. Quienes confiamos en Jesús, somos parte de la historia en curso y participantes gozosos en las cosas que Dios está haciendo en su pueblo.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias por todas las cosas que haces en mi vida, incluso aquellas que no conozco. Úsame en tu servicio. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Lucas es un hombre muy metódico que investiga, habla con testigos oculares y especifica fechas, lugares y personas con gran detalle.

Notre Pain Quotidien - Un lieu sûr

Un lieu sûr

Lisez : Psaume 46

La Bible en un an : : Ézéchiel 42 – 44 ; 1 Jean 1

Dieu est pour nous un refuge et un appui, un secours qui ne manque jamais dans la détresse. C’est pourquoi nous sommes sans crainte. V. 2,3

Mes frères et moi avons grandi sur le versant boisé d’un coteau de la Virginie occidentale, un décor nourrissant notre imagination. Qu’il s’agisse de nous balancer au bout de lianes comme Tarzan ou de construire des maisons dans les arbres comme la famille Robinson, nous nous amusions à rejouer diverses scènes des histoires que nous lisions et des films que nous regardions. L’une de nos préférées consistait à nous bâtir des forts où nous prétendions être à l’abri de toute attaque. Des années plus tard, mes enfants se sont construit des forts au moyen de couvertures, de draps et d’oreillers – créant ainsi leur propre « refuge », où se protéger de leurs ennemis imaginaires. Il semble que nous aspirions tous d’instinct à avoir un lieu sûr où nous sentir en sécurité.

Lorsque David, le chanteur et poète d’Israël, a cherché un refuge, il a voulu le trouver en Dieu seul. La Bible affirme : « Dieu est pour nous un refuge et un appui, un secours qui ne manque jamais dans la détresse. C’est pourquoi nous sommes sans crainte » (PS 46.2,3). En lisant le récit vétérotestamentaire de la vie de David et des menaces presque incessantes qu’il subissait, vous découvrirez l’étonnant degré de confiance qu’il avait en Dieu. Malgré ces menaces, il demeurait convaincu de trouver sa véritable sécurité en Dieu.

Or, cette même confiance nous est aussi accessible. Même au sein d’un monde dangereux, le Dieu qui a promis de ne jamais nous abandonner (HÉ 13.5) et à qui nous avons confié notre vie nous accorde paix et assurance pour toujours, car c’est lui notre refuge.

Aujourd’hui, remerciez Dieu d’être votre refuge.

par Bill Crowder

© 2018 Ministères NPQ
Mes frères et moi avons grandi sur le versant boisé d’un coteau de la Virginie occidentale, un décor nourrissant notre imagination.