The Journey of Divine Promise: Advent Day Twenty one 20/12/24
The Journey of Divine Promise
Hello and welcome to day twenty one of our Advent devotional journey. After yesterday's day on Lectio Divina and the importance of having a routine of reading the Bible, I thought it would be fitting to take a walk through salvation history as it's laid out for us in the Bible, wherein God's plan has unfolded with remarkable precision and purpose. From the earliest covenants to the incarnation of Christ, we witness a profound narrative of divine faithfulness that continues to shape our faith today.
Biblical Foundation
Think of God's promises like your favourite playlist - each song builds on the last to create something amazing. Throughout the Bible, we see God reaching out to us first, like a friend who always takes the initiative to keep in touch. Just as we build relationships through promises and trust, God has been building a relationship with humanity through special promises called covenants. Let's look at how these promises connect to our lives today:
- The Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3): Imagine moving to a totally new place because God asked you to! That's what Abraham did. God promised to bless everyone through his family - and that includes us! This shows how God's love isn't limited to just one group but extends to everyone.
- The Promise to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16): Like following your favourite artist who keeps promising new music, God promised David something incredible - a kingdom that would last forever. This promise came true in Jesus, who isn't just a historical king, but our forever friend and guide.
- The New Promise (Jeremiah 31:31-34): Ever wish you could naturally know the right thing to do? God promised to write His guidance directly on our hearts. Through Jesus, we don't just follow rules - we develop a real, personal relationship with God, like having a best friend who's always there for us.
- The Rules and Guidelines (Exodus 19-24): Think of this like stabilisers on a bike. The Old Testament rules weren't meant to last forever but to prepare people for Jesus, just like we learn basic rules before understanding deeper principles.
- Jesus Makes It All Make Sense: All these promises come together perfectly in Jesus. He's like the final episode of your favourite series where everything clicks into place. Through Him, we're not just reading about ancient promises - we're living them!
Understanding God's Faithfulness
St Augustine beautifully captured the profundity of this journey when he wrote: "The New Testament lies hidden in the Old, and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New." This progressive revelation shows us how God meets humanity where we are whilst drawing us toward where He wants us to be.
Living the Promise Today
Here are practical ways to engage with this rich heritage of faith:
- Develop a consistent prayer practice that includes both Scripture reading and quiet reflection
- Join a Bible study or faith-sharing group to explore these themes with peers
- Create a spiritual journal to track your own journey with God's promises
Points for Deep Reflection
Consider these questions as you contemplate God's faithfulness:
- How do the historical promises of God connect with your personal experience of faith?
- What role do you think community play in understanding and living out God's promises?
- How can you recognise God's faithfulness in both the significant and ordinary moments of life?
Personal Application
Remember that you're not just studying ancient history - you're part of an ongoing story. Your faith journey is a continuation of this divine narrative, where God's promises find new expression in each generation.
A Prayer for Understanding
Lord of all time and history, Guide us as we explore the depth of Your faithful promises. Help us to see how Your ancient covenant finds fulfilment in Christ and continues to transform lives today. Grant us wisdom to understand, courage to trust, And strength to live as witnesses to Your enduring faithfulness. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Your Journey Forward
Consider choosing one aspect of God's promises to focus on this evening. Whether it's His promise of presence, guidance, or purpose, let it shape your choices and interactions moving forward. Share your insights with a trusted friend or mentor, and be open to how God might be inviting you to deeper trust and understanding.
God bless,
Mel
