Diane Flynn, Senior M.Div. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
2       Lord, hear my voice!
   Let your ears be attentive
          to the voice of my supplications!

3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
          Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
          so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
          and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
          more than those who watch for the morning,
          more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD!
          For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
          and with him is great power to redeem.
8 It is he who will redeem Israel
          from all its iniquities.

Devotional

For Christians, the Advent season is a time to celebrate the expectancy of our savior Jesus Christ—the one God promised would take away the sin of the world. But for some, Advent can be a time of inward spiritual torment. Sin has a way of separating us from God, from a faithful relationship which had once been our delight and joy. Like the psalmist, we cry out to our creator in the depths of despair. While there is no one without sin, the promise of God is forgiveness. Faith has come, and with it we see that God’s forgiveness can ensure that state of reverence which God desires to see in all of us. As we celebrate with expectancy the coming of our savior, we are reminded of God’s redeeming love. Our guilt is washed away by the blessed assurance of forgiveness and restoration in the hope of God’s unbreakable Word.

Prayer

Holy God, we thank you that as surely as the morning comes after the night, so surely will your promise of forgiveness and mercy restore our hearts to a deeper faith in you. As we celebrate with great expectation the coming of our savior, help us to remember with confidence that we will not seek or wait in vain. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Diane Flynn, Senior M.Div. Student at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Scripture

Psalm 130

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD.
2       Lord, hear my voice!
   Let your ears be attentive
          to the voice of my supplications!

3 If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,
          Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with you,
          so that you may be revered.

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
          and in his word I hope;
6 my soul waits for the Lord
          more than those who watch for the morning,
          more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the LORD!
          For with the LORD there is steadfast love,
          and with him is great power to redeem.
8 It is he who will redeem Israel
          from all its iniquities.

Devotional

For Christians, the Advent season is a time to celebrate the expectancy of our savior Jesus Christ—the one God promised would take away the sin of the world. But for some, Advent can be a time of inward spiritual torment. Sin has a way of separating us from God, from a faithful relationship which had once been our delight and joy. Like the psalmist, we cry out to our creator in the depths of despair. While there is no one without sin, the promise of God is forgiveness. Faith has come, and with it we see that God’s forgiveness can ensure that state of reverence which God desires to see in all of us. As we celebrate with expectancy the coming of our savior, we are reminded of God’s redeeming love. Our guilt is washed away by the blessed assurance of forgiveness and restoration in the hope of God’s unbreakable Word.

Prayer

Holy God, we thank you that as surely as the morning comes after the night, so surely will your promise of forgiveness and mercy restore our hearts to a deeper faith in you. As we celebrate with great expectation the coming of our savior, help us to remember with confidence that we will not seek or wait in vain. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.