Advent For Those Grieving | No. 03
ADVENT DAY THREE
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.Isaiah 7:14
DESTRUCTION, DEVASTATION & HOPE
These words spoken to Isaiah about the future messiah comes amidst news of coming destruction and devastation. (Isaiah 7) In fact, these impending circumstances were terrifying. It wasn't just bad news, it was the life-altering-never-be-the-same kind of news. Maybe you can relate.
But like Genesis 3, even amidst destruction and devastation, God has a plan and God gives a promise of hope.
THE PROMISE
He gives a promise of a Rescuer. He says "the Lord Himself" - our perfect God and King would leave heaven, leave perfection to come rescue His children. But even more, even better news to a grieving mama is this: "Immanuel", a powerful promise wrapped up in a word that means, God with us.
He would not just be our rescuer, He would entrench Himself into this world, into humanity, He would feel pain, He would suffer, He would be betrayed, He would taste death.
All so He could say I know. I know your pain. And you can trust Me.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
HE KNOWS.
Read these words from Folk Angel, He Knows, and listen below:
"This lowly birth would mark His ministry. The Savior of the world born amongst the sheep. A good shepherd knows his sheep. He's walked with them every step. He knows their every need and this birth would be the proof of the kind of shepherd He would be. A conquering savior as well as an empathetic high priest. You see, He's walked in our foot steps. He's seen all that we see. He's been tempted, tried and persecuted. He knows pain and suffering. He's been beaten, spit upon and cursed, betrayed for a low cost, accused though innocent and murdered upon a cross. And because of these things, he's able to say the two words that every sheep longs to hear, two words that sound so beautiful to our ears, two words that instill trust and eliminate fear, two words: I Know. He knows your hurt. He knows your pain. He knows your struggle. He knows your name. He knows. And as he rose from the grave victorious forevermore He knows. He knows your battle. He knows your every need. A good shepherd knows His sheep."
