Woven

Have you loved this week of studying the Prophets? I sure hope so because I’ve loved it. I’ve loved every bit of it.

Some of it doesn’t make sense to me, though, and I’m thankful for the space to give my confusion to God. He knows what to do with it.

I’m thankful for the evidence that God will never turn His back on His people even if we continue to turn our back on Him, because it gives me opportunity to worship Him for His faithfulness.

I’m extra thankful for the reminder that living within the boundaries God has given us is the most fruitful, most joyful, and most protected place to live. This reminder allows me to safeguard my life with TRUTH.

Today, I’m sharing a message that may or may not align with what we’ve studied. I believe that it does for so many different reasons. They may not be obvious in the beginning, though. I’ve shared a podcast from Annie F. Downs before. She is also part of the teaching team at Crosspoint Church in Nashville.

**Note to my Nashville friends. I love Annie so much, and I need to know when she’s doing something fantastic there. I will hop on a plane and be there in a second. I discovered Annie during the pandemic. Her books and her podcast have been used by God to transform my heart over the past year and a half.

I won’t say another thing about this sermon except that I’d force you to listen if I could. This message is so important, and it’s fun! We get to talk about JOY after a week of studying pain and sorrow. I think you’ll be surprised at how Annie connects the two.

I hope your journal is FULL of notes from this message. By the way, Romans 15:13 (which is the verse Annie ended her sermon with) has the word “trust” in it. In the Greek, trust can be translated as “wait.” That’s what our trust and faith produce…. The ability to wait for the Lord to do what only He can do. Here’s the verse,

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Next week, we welcome JESUS to our study. But first, God’s people have 400 years of darkness. Seventy years of exile probably seemed minimal compared to 400 years of quiet. But waiting (Advent) produces belief, faith, and trust. It did for them, and it will for us.

P.S. If you want to brew some spiced tea, pour some eggnog, string up some lights, and enjoy an evergreen candle in honor of Jesus' birth on Monday morning I won't be sad about it. Part of me desperately wants to grab some of my Christmas decor for next week's study. :)

Oh God, we love you! We are so grateful for You. Remind us daily of Your goodness. Guard us against forgetting who You are. Help us to surrender all that we have to all that You are, because You are better!