Tuesday 3 December - An ever present help in trouble

Readings:

Psalm 46, Isaiah 26:1-6, Matthew 7:21,24-27, Romans 15:4-13

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall^; God will help her at break of day. Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us;  the God of Jacob is our fortress

Isaiah 26:1-7

Reflection

"Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the small ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake." --Victor Hugo

Advent is about waiting. In a sense, it is a four-week course on patience. That's a good thing, in that patience means having endurance under difficult circumstances. And, if being patient is about persevering in the face of delay, well, who wouldn't be in favour of that and want it? Even more importantly, patience often means having the capacity -- when provoked -- not to act simply out of annoyance or anger, but to  act out of
compassion.

Now, perhaps we are more students than practitioners of patience, constantly learning and honing our skills. Perhaps we know a lot about patience - we live it and see it in others. With patience, we exhibit forbearance under strain, especially when challenging difficulties end up becoming longer-term and we become desperate. In our constant waiting and longing may we know Christ who will come as Saviour and Redeemer. 

Prayer

Come thou long expected Jesus into the parts of my life hidden to others.
Come into the barren and hurting places. Come into the dry places that need refreshing by the outpouring of your love.
When I lack love and compassion, change me.
When I am impatient and frustrated, deliver me.
When I fail to see the goodness, help me to focus on you, the author and perfector of my faith.  Amen