Day 2 of Advent, 12/4/23: Just Say the Word (Matthew 8:8)

A Roman centurion asked Jesus to heal his sick dying servant by saying, "But just say the word, and my servant will be healed" (Mt 8:8; Lk 7:7). He didn't think it necessary for Jesus to come and heal him in person by placing his hands on him, but to "just say the word," because he understood Jesus' authority as a centurion with authority over 100 Roman soldiers whom he knows will do whatever he says. He is the only person Jesus commended for having "such great faith" (Mt 8:10; Lk 7:9). [Watch Season 3 of The Chosen.] 

How's your heart, courage and faith?

Value What Is Unseen and Internal

"Do not value any external thing too highly, even if it were to seem very precious to you. Let go of yourself, and abide with Me continually. Entrust everything to Me and do nothing on your own, and you will always have great freedom of spirit. No circumstances or events will ever be able to upset you. Set little store on what people say. Let everyone judge you as they like. Do not make excuses for yourself, it will do you no harm. Give away everything at the first sign of a demand, even if they were the most necessary things. Do not ask for anything without consulting Me. Allow them to take away even what is due you – respect, your good name – let your spirit rise above all that. And so, set free from everything, rest close to My Heart, not allowing your peace to be disturbed by anything. My pupil, consider the words which I have spoken to you." St. Maria Faustyna Kowalska, Polish Catholic religious sister and mystic. Born: August 25, 1905, Died: October 5, 1938.

The First Servant Song (Isaiah 42)

Hope, Trust and Wait on the Lord (Isa 40:31).

"Even if the enemy's foot be on your neck, expect to rise and overthrow him. Cast the burden of the present, along with the sin of the past and the fear of the future, upon the Lord, who forsakes not His saints. Live by the day—ay, by the hour. Put no trust in frames and feelings. Care more for a grain of faith than a ton of excitement. Trust in God alone, and lean not on the needs of human help." Charles Spurgeon.

42:1-25 (The Servant Saves)

1. God's chosen servant will establish justice on earth (1-4) [Will "not" occurs 7 times in 2-4.]
   
1. God prepares the servant to bring justice (1)
2. What the servant will not do to bring justice (2-3)
3. The servant will not fail to bring justice to all (4)
   
2. God's servant will be a covenant and light (5-9)
1. God the Creator speaks (5)
2. The servant's mission (6-7)
3. God's name is glorified (8-9)
   
3. Sing a hymn of praise to glorify God (10-13)
1. Call for people to sing God's praise (10-11)
2. Reason for praising God (13)
4. God will deliver and forgive the sins of his blind servants (14-25)
1. The blind are not forsaken (14-17)
1. A time of divine silence (14)
2. A time of destruction (15)
3. A time for guidance and light (16)
4. Shame for those who trust idols (17)
   
2. The blind servant's sins result in punishment (18-25)
1. Israel is my blind servant (18-20)
2. God gave them his law (21)
3. The people were plundered (22)
4. Will anyone listen (23)
5. God plundered Jacob for not obeying his law (24)
6. God sent war; Israel did not understand (25)
   

A Song of Danger (Psalm 91:1-16)

"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty" (Ps 91:1).


Previous passage: A Song for the Afflicted (Psalm 90:1-17)

Theme: How to trust God in impossible and dangerous circumstances.

God intends for every Christian to experience a measure of safety and security in an unsafe and insecure world. If we do not know the security that comes from God and His gospel, it leads to all kinds of problems in the Christian life--relationship distance, an inability to forgive, an inability to repent, or the fear of man (Pro 29:25). Then we look to change our circumstances, which is never the ultimate cause of any of our problems. Not knowing where our safety comes from cripples our Christian life.