Advent Devotion – Day 22
Knowing He is in control
By Sara Ralph
Just last week I had to throw away my beloved lunch box of four beautiful years. I had asked for a new one for Christmas, and really wanted my lunch box to last until then, but it had turned the corner of nastiness. So, I surrendered it to the trash, and had accepted that I would just take my lunch in a plastic bag until I (hopefully) got one for Christmas.
The next day, my husband attended a college alumni event at a local restaurant. He came home proudly offering me a Lebanon Valley College lunch box that he had received along with the other attendees. Wow, I thought, what perfect timing.
This perfect timing seems to happen a lot in my life—especially among the little, though significant, things. I have seen God’s power and providence over the details of my life, and there is such humility and comfort in this.
It’s interesting how when we talk about a person being powerful or, in some cases, “power hungry,” it has such a negative connotation. But, God’s sovereign power is not something to be afraid of; in fact, it’s something I long for. Knowing that someone (besides me!) is in control gives me peace over the past, hope for the future, and joy for today.
Today’s Readings – Psalm 24, 29, 8, 84, Gen 3:8-15, Rev 12:1-10, John 3:16-21
Lent Reflections – Remember
By Sara Ralph
Today’s Scripture Reading
Psalm 30, 32, 42, 43
Deut 7:17-26
Titus 3:1-15
John 1:43-51
My husband will be the first to attest to my poor long-term memory. Psychologists will tell you of ‘false memories’–that is, we have memories of things that didn’t even happen! Sometimes, though, I don’t even have a false memory, I simply have no recollection.
The authors and editors of Deuteronomy spend a great deal of time telling the Israelites to remember the things of the past in order to live gratefully and graciously in the present. The Hebrew word for ‘remember’ is ‘zah-khor,’ which means not only to bring to memory things of the past but also to focus mindfully on the present.
The Psalmist, through his emotional highs and lows, reflects on what God has done in the past in order to deal with his presently disturbed soul. In chapter 42, the psalmist seems depressed, but through his emotional outpour, he remembers the past, which then brings him joy. He spends time reflecting on his past and his relationship with God, and then concludes that he must put his hope in God.
For this Lenten season, may we ‘zah-khor’ the faithfulness and goodness of God.
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