2 Samuel 7:14-15
I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.
December 23, 2021
Despite all the warnings and observations of God’s people going astray and God reminding them of His goodness and their disobedience, and His promise of punishment, there is still His grace and mercy. In His conversation with David, the Lord speaks clearly of his actions regarding sinful behavior that is unrepentant, but even more so he promises that His “steadfast love will not depart from him.” Each of us are weak, frail, sinful beings whose hearts are prone to wander (“Come Thou Fount”), to walk the path of the desert when our Lord calls us to the garden with Him. Because we are incapable of redemption by our own efforts of any sort from our sin, Jesus did for us all what we cannot do for ourselves, became sin for us, giving us His life and Spirit that we might know grace and salvation by faith. The blessing of Advent is that it prepares the path to Christmas Day in that this season calls us to wait and to remember, probably one of the most important words in our language, especially in relation to God and His love. And so, remember, reflect, repent and be grateful — know yourself for who you are, a sinner, redeemed by the precious blood and love of the one who created you and gives you all that you are and have.