Advent Devotional: Dec 8
Psalm 146:5-10 | Ruth 1:6-18 | 2 Peter 3:1-10
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16)
The genealogy of Jesus according to Matthew includes five women: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife), and Mary. Ruth was a Moabite woman who married an Isralite. When her husband dies, her mother-in-law, Naomi, tells her to return to her father since there is no kinsman to care for them. Ruth refuses to leave, agrees to follow the God of Naomi, and eventually becomes the great-grandmother of King David.
Many, many generations passed between King David and Jesus. The people of God waited thousands of years for the messiah to bring them salvation. We believe the messiah, Jesus Christ, has come and we have been waiting thousands of years for him to return as he promised. On the first Sunday of Advent, we begin another year of waiting. We prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus and prepare our hearts for his return, knowing that we may find ourselves still waiting this time next year.
Sometimes I wonder why Jesus has not made good on his promise to return. Will he come back before I die? Will he return before the human race enters another war or faces another pandemic? If Jesus is coming back, why is he taking so long?
Saint Peter addresses Christians who asked similar questions. He wrote, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (1 Peter 3:8-9). In response to this, I pray for the faithfulness of Ruth, who refused to turn away from God’s people. I pray for the patience of Noah who waited on the ark for the waters to recede. And I pray that I and many others would come to repent and believe the good news of Jesus.
Reflection questions: How has God kept his promises to you? How are you using this time of waiting to draw closer to God?
Readings from the Revised Common Lectionary
Scripture taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica, Inc.
Reflections by Rev. Serena J. Wolfe
