Belmont University Advent GuideSample

For many of us, the season of advent is a fun and festive time of year filled with laughter and joy. It represents a time to buy and exchange gifts; a time to eat, drink, and be merry; and a time to celebrate traditions, old and new, with family and friends. It is, as the psalmist says, a season of singing praises for the blessings of wealth and riches that come to those who fear and delight in YAHWEH (Psalms 112.1–3). But for some of us, nothing could be further from the truth. For some of us, this may be a very challenging time of year; a time of mourning the loss of a loved one; a time of personal struggle with depression; a time of social unrest and uncertainty; and a time of realizing that things are not right or always as they appear. It is instead, as the psalmist says, a season where the heart is faint (Psalms 61.2), a season where the words of the enemy prevail (Psalms 62.3–4), and a season of waiting for God in utter silence and solitude (Psalms 62.5–6). The Scripture readings for today offer an important reminder, no matter our circumstances and perhaps even despite our circumstances, to embody trust in YAHWEH (Psalm 62.8; 115.9–11). That is, the psalmist urges us to physically rely on the LORD with all of our senses and with every fiber of our being. For the God of Israel is not mute, blind or deaf like the gods of the nations who have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see; and ears, but do not hear (Psalms 115.5–7). These idols, like those of high estate and low estate (Psalm 62.9), are hevel—a momentary breath that appears for a short while and quickly disappears. Rather, the God of Israel is the ruach adonai—a mighty wind that was present over the face of the deep at creation (Genesis 1.2) and is present through the shoot of Jesse (Isaiah 1.1). This ruach adonai embodies the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of YAHWEH (Isaiah 1.2). May we be comforted with the scent, sight and sound of the ever present ruach adonai during this Advent season (Isaiah 1:3). Gideon Park Lecturer in Religion