December 23 - Chosen and Not Forgotten
Contributed by
Nancy Ryan Nussbaum, is director of research for international education and associate professor of communication on Tuesday December 23
Scripture
Psalm 80:1-7
For the director of music. To the tune of "The Lilies of the Covenant." Of Asaph. A psalm.
Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.
Awaken your might; come and save us.
Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us,
that we may be saved.
O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have made them drink tears by the bowlful.
You have made us a source of contention to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us.
Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
|
Devotion
There I was. Waiting at the restaurant table. Sitting. Squirming. Fidgeting. Fifteen minutes turned to 30. Although we had made this luncheon date several weeks ago, I was sure my friend would come. Where was she? I prayed for her safety and politely ordered my lunch -- surreptitiously ignoring all the pitying stares I was sure were coming my way. Apparently I had been forgotten.
The writer of today's passage felt much the same way. Ignored and humiliated. In the passage that follows today's Scripture reading, the writer reminds us of God's many acts of faithfulness through the years. Yet the people needed God's light to shine among them once again. The people, like myself, were looking for communion with a cherished companion.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that my dear friend had forgotten the location of our luncheon. She had driven from one restaurant to another on that fateful day, frantically searching for me! Disappointed, she had returned home.
My friend and I finally met for lunch yesterday. We laughed together and shared prayer concerns. Afterward, we both felt restored! May God's face shine upon you in this Advent season. And may you know that you one of God's beloved children -- chosen and not forgotten!
|
