glory of the Lord – Be Still…

John 17:1-26 – When Jesus Prays

After all that Jesus shared with his disciples, he closes in prayer. This is significant because usually Jesus would go off by himself to pray. Here, his disciples are an audience to hear how Jesus prays to the Father. In this instance, Jesus prays for himself and for others.

Jesus knows what is coming next, such a pivotal time in history. Jesus’ work on earth will soon be finished, and his emotions are on high alert. He opens the prayer with his cry of intent to bring glory to God in these final moments, while at the same time craving the glory of the LORD, his accustomed surrounding. Jesus anticipated great pain before that moment in glory. Continue reading “John 17:1-26 – When Jesus Prays”

Jeremiah 23:5-6 – The Time is Coming

Read Jeremiah 23:5-6

When I think of the people alive at the time of Jesus’ birth, I can only imagine this prophetic word would have brought comfort. However, based on these words, the people were expecting a great warrior king that would come and restore peace and safety. The world Jesus was born into was full of evil and corruption. God’s people lived in fear and needed a Savior. They just didn’t know their Savior would look like Jesus.

Jesus was that “righteous descendant from King David’s line.” Matthew’s gospel does a great job of revealing that genealogy. This wise king, Jesus, would save the people and return them to safety. How Jesus would do this was not with a mighty sword or battle as the people expected. Although, the battles being fought in the unseen realm are likely greater than we can possibly imagine. Continue reading “Jeremiah 23:5-6 – The Time is Coming”

Ezekiel 10:1-22 – The Glory of the LORD

Read Daniel 10:1-22

In our last reading, Ezekiel spoke of the glory of the LORD being on the move when he wrote, “Then the glory of the God of Israel rose up from between the cherubim, where it had rested, and moved to the entrance of the Temple.” At that point, the glory of the LORD had not left completely. We read those same words in this reading, but God doesn’t stop at the door.

If you recognize the descriptions given of these cherubim, you have a good memory. Ezekiel has seen these cherubim or heavenly beings before in his first vision. Their appearance is totally unforgettable. What was the most striking feature for you? Continue reading “Ezekiel 10:1-22 – The Glory of the LORD”

2 Chronicles 5:2-14 – The Ark Arrives

Read 2 Chronicles 5:2-14

It’s passages like this that make even my heart sing! The palpability of worship truly inspires. We know moving the Ark of the Covenant is serious business to be done in just the right way prescribed by God. Rather than fear, the people rejoiced.

With the temple construction complete, it was time to move God’s presence back in. Only after the arrival of the Ark could the temple be truly finished. The work King David had initiated was fulfilled. In readings to follow, Solomon will pray and dedicate the space. For now, we’ll focus on worship!

Advent ? Isaiah 9:1-2 -Hope

Read Isaiah 9:1-2

Our Advent preparations are heading into the home stretch. It’s time to take a deep breath and prepare for the final frantic moments yet to come. Why do we try to pack so much into such a short period of time? There’s traveling, cookie baking, card sending, concert attending, rehearsing, decorating, wrapping gifts, carol singing–I’ve got to be forgetting something! Yes — hoping in Christ!

Isaiah’s prophecy speaks loudly to us as well. We can surely identify with living in a “time of darkness and despair,” too. Anytime God is absent from a conversation or a decision or an event, the potential for darkness exists. Isaiah’s message brings hope to those living in darkness when he says, “will not go on forever.”