Day 358
Zechariah 6:1-7:14; Revelation 15:1-8; Psalm 143:1-12; Proverbs 30:24-28
Jesus Gathers His Faithful
In Psalm 143, the writer cries out speaking of an enemy that holds him in darkness. He asks for God’s mercy for relief. Meanwhile, in Revelation 15, St. John speaks of the angels who deliver the seven last plagues, which also describes a dark and desperate time where there is much suffering. In these times of darkness, we know many kinds of suffering.
Although we will all travel on difficult roads during life’s journey, with the gift of faith as both writers demonstrate, we do not stay in the darkness. We know our Lord, who promises to bring the faithful into His light. I do not begin to understand all that is written, yet my faith is renewed each day as I reflect on these things.
On the night that we are called to sit in the darkness, waiting in vigil for the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ, we no longer wait for the new babe that will come into the world becoming human in the virgin’s womb. Now we await the final triumphal coming as described in the book of Revelation.
The darkness can seem so long, yet our God promises us that He loves us. Yes, He is coming soon. The Father will send His son Jesus once again, only in that day He will gather up His faithful ones. I pray that the Christmas that we are about to enter will fill us with the light of God’s love and grace no matter what our circumstances or present darkness. The morning star is dawning!
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.” – Psalm 143:8
The Rev. Patricia S. Acker
Grace Church
Pt. Orange, FL