God’s Reach

Posted on Nov 30, 2016 in Advent Devotions |

by Bob Ransbottom

If it had not been the Lord who was on our side…then the flood would have swept us away.

–Psalm 124:1a, 3a

This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth…but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord who has compassion on you.

–Isaiah 54:9a, 10b

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

–Matthew 24:35

When our kids were little, we sometimes would take them to the Rec Center swimming pool. They were just learning how to swim. One time I was in the pool with my son as he happily splashed around. I looked away for seemingly seconds, but when I looked back, the splashing had turned into furious thrashing. He looked to be going down for the third time. Thankfully, I was able to quickly reach out and save him.

In the readings, I see two themes: the potential destructive force of water and the everlasting saving grace of Jesus Christ. In this Advent season, I see God preparing to reach out to us, trying to save us from the flood that surrounds us; a flood of sin, worries, and evil. I see the gift of His Son, which we celebrate at Christmas, as the ultimate act of this reaching out. All we need to do is reach back and accept this wonderful gift of grace.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, Save us from the waters of worry and woe. Help us to know your saving grace is always within reach. We just need to turn around and accept it. Amen.

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