“Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven.” But Ahaz said, “I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test.” Then he said, “Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary men, that you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.” Isa. 7:11-14
Dear heavenly Father, the Scriptures we typically read during Advent underscore how little of your goodness I actually “get.” Beyond measure are your mercies; beyond understanding is your grace; beyond conception is your love.
For instance, I love the Advent promise of “Immanuel”—the coming of the Messiah reveals you to be a God who is with us. Yet today I realize you gave this great hope in full view of your people’s unfaithfulness, unbelief, and unrighteousness. There is nothing is us that deserves the compassion, kindness, and nearness you give us so fully in Jesus.
It was a time of local and international crisis, and King Ahaz had every opportunity to repent and rely on you. You sent Isaiah with words of opportunity and hope to him; but he refused. Feigning piety, King Ahaz remained addicted to his illusion of control and self-sufficiency—just like I’m too prone to do. That’s why the promise of Immanuel is so precious to me. Though I want to be my own deliverer, I can’t and I won’t. I need what you alone give us, by grace.
Indeed, Father, in the gospel, you’ve proven yourself to be a God who is not only with us, but a God who is so very much for us. Your love for us isn’t merely unconditional; it’s contra-conditional—for you’ve met every condition necessary to make us your beloved people and eternal delight. Hallelujah, so many times over.
Father, unlike Ahaz, I don’t have the Assyrian army outside my door threatening my existence, but I do have no small number of challenges in front of me this Advent season. As I trust you for my forgiveness and righteousness; so I purpose to rely on you for everything I need to live and love to your glory.
May I boast in my weakness, delight in Jesus and rely upon you—the God who does the impossible. So very Amen I pray, with gratitude and expectancy, in Jesus’ near and grace-full name.