Advent '23 | Relentless Love: When We're Afraid, God Pursues

The Eternal King Arrives Journey Through Advent Week 1: Prophetic Inauguration

“Ask the LORD your God for a sign, 

whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.” 

+ Isaiah 7:11

For this season of Advent, Emmaus City Church will be invited to join together in weekly reflections and homilies during our Sabbath gatherings featuring Scriptures from the Revised Common Lectionary: Advent Year B. 

The readings for the first weekend are from 

Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; and Mark 13:24-37.

We will also engage in daily reflections throughout Advent, utilizing The Eternal King Arrives: Journeying Through Advent with Our Humble & Mighty Savior. An excerpt from this first week in front of us is featured below. Enjoy.

CT: The Eternal King Arrives: Journeying Through Advent 

Week 1: Prophetic Inauguration

Text: Isaiah 7:10-14

Day 3: A Relentless Love

When We Are Afraid, God Pursues Our Hearts

By Alexandra Hoover

In Isaiah 7:10-14, we find a frightened King Ahaz in the midst of impending political danger and strife. Enemies are closing in on the nation of Judah, and the need to look elsewhere for rescue and reprieve has welled up in Ahaz's wayward heart. The king knew God's law, but he didn't trust in it. Where God sought to offer safety, Ahaz was ruled by idolatry, even to the point of sacrificing his son (2 Kings 16). God made it clear that this meant for Judah – if Ahaz didn't listen to his instructions and take heed, destruction was inevitable (Isaiah 10-11). 

God's relentless pursuit of the king of Judah was not only for Ahaz's repentance but for the sake of his entire people's salvation, just as Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension are for us. 

Ahaz's eyes were distracted by the temporary, 

while eternal perspective was knocking at his door. 

But just as God's grace continues in our unfaithfulness, even in Ahaz's contention and rejection of God's power and presence, Isaiah gives him a sign: "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

A great salvation will arrive through the birth of Jesus. Hope is now here (Matthew 1:20-22). God is with us, in the midst of our turmoil and often treacherous conditions. He has come down to offer eternal hope in our momentary afflictions. He asks us to listen and believe and helps us do this in our weakness and unbelief.

In a season where many of us are tender to the reality of doubt and fear, Jesus' love relentlessly abounds for his people. He is the rescue and the ransom for this lives of many, promising that "as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you" (Isaiah 66:13). He is our great signpost – a king gifting us life in exchange for his death. Today, don't harden your heart like Ahaz, but instead know that God's power is in you, his presence is with you, and his promise is over you.

Here are links to other recent Advent articles:

Advent Story of God | Immanuel: God Present with Us, for Us; The Bold & Courageous 1st Advent Hymn; My Honest Advent; Advent Films Reflections: A Quiet Place, Arrival, Children of Men, Joyeux Noel; Praying with Mary and Jesus; Making Room for Limits; Making Room for Outsiders; Experience God-with-Us Today in Your Fears; Waiting is the Womb in Which We Are Formed; Christ with Shopping Bags or Generous Christ?; Advent Film Series Reflection | All the Light We Cannot See

Next post: In the Difficult: He Is Not One to Leave Us Hurting

Many blessings of peace and presence for you,

Rev. Mike “Sully” Sullivan

Email Pastor Mike | Website | Visit Us | Support Us | Facebook Us