The Second Day of Advent

Monday, December 2, 2019

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:

An Advent Devotional Guide

“They are a perverse generation, sons in whom is no faithfulness. They have made me jealous with what is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their idols.” Deuteronomy 32:20

Moses knows he is about to die. He remembers what the Israelites did when he was on the mountain getting the law. God had just brought them miraculously from Egypt, yet as soon as Moses wasn’t present, their faith waned. They took the gold they had brought with them and melted it down to make a cow! Worshiping a cow! Moses knew the Israelites very well!

Now he speaks to them one last time; he tells them that God is a jealous God. He reminds them that God is gravely hurt and angered by their worshiping something that “is not God.”

We don’t hear much today about God’s anger. And we certainly do not hear about the grief we cause, how we hurt him! But we hear it in this verse, and if you read the subsequent verses, I think we’ll agree we want to avoid both his wrath and causing him pain.

When I saw this verse I couldn’t help wondering if our faith wanes during this season. Do we become so involved in planning for gifts and food that we forget all the amazing things God has done for us throughout the year? Do we fail to devote ourselves to worshiping the infant so miraculously born to Mary? Are we soon caught up in a commercial whirlwind, spending money on things for people who probably won’t even like what we have chosen for them! Do we slip into a secular Christmas mode, forgetting faith, making God jealous because we are focusing on what “is not God?”

Father, forgive us for giving attention to tinsel and lights instead of your Son! We criticize the Israelites who forgot so quickly, but how like them we are! Help us to keep our eyes on you and help us not to grieve and anger you! Amen

The Wonder of What God Has Done Through His Son:

An Advent Devotional Guide
prepared for First United Methodist Church of Homosassa, Florida
Winter 2009
by Patience Nave, Christian Education Coordinator