Advent Week Two | Peace | Precious Time
Rest: [Take a few moments of silence. Then slowly pray these words.]
Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Read: [Meditate on the scripture of the week.]
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13 | Isaiah 40:1-11 | 2 Peter 3:8-15 | Mark 1:1-8
Reflect: [Use this devotional thought for a moment of reflection. Today’s devotional is written by Jason Stough.]
Time is a gift, a precious commodity. We cannot beg, borrow, or buy more. Yet, we often take time for granted. We somehow convince ourselves we deserve the time we have. But God says our days on earth are numbered, and we are to use them wisely. He graciously grants us time here to serve Him, honor Him, and restore us to Himself.
Before the final restoration, we all will find ourselves in situations in which we are forced to make difficult decisions. Maybe it’s at work, home, or in our community. Wherever it may be, seek to be “blameless.” Lead by example. Pray that you will make the right decisions. Sometimes you will, and sometimes you won’t. But, God is patient and forgiving. Confess and repent of your sins to God, and encourage others to repent of theirs. Prepare for the day “the heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10, NIV).
Use your precious gift of time to share the good news with those around you, so together you may look forward to His coming. How much better would this world be if we all lived this way, awaiting our inheritance – a “new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13)? The word says this day will come unexpectedly. Prepare yourself, invest in the preparation of others, and anticipate His promise together.
Response: [Put your prayer into action throughout the day.]
Today, take time to intercede in prayer on another’s behalf just as Jesus intercedes for us. Pray this short prayer with them or for them.
Father I lift _____ before you. I pray he may know You fully. May he use the precious time You have given him to fulfill the purpose You have placed in him. May he anticipate the promise of full restoration in You. Amen.
