Hi everyone! Happy December 8. I hope that you are doing well today.
I have another message from around the world. This devotion is one of 24 written in “HOPE For a Despairing World,” an advent devotional written by Christian leaders from around the world. Today it is from Salim Munayer who lives in Jerusalem. Salim (as of 2003) is the Dean of the Bethlehem Bible College and Executive Director of Musalaha (a ministry of reconciliation). He is FLUENT in English, Hebrew, and Arabic.
Salim starts with Isaiah 42:3 “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice.”
He writes: “Isaiah 42 is a prophetic chapter that describes the character and work of our Messiah. The rich imagery speaks to both the spiritual and personal dimensions of all of our lives, but it has special bearing upon those of us involved in reconciliation work among Israelis and Palestinians. In fact, among those for whom the violence and hopelessness of the Middle East is local news, understanding that ‘a bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out’ is particularly poignant. It not only reminds us that our Savior provides hope and promises justice, but also that His ways are gentle. And without this reminder we might choose a different path.”
“Following Christ in the land of his birth is very hard. For the believer striving to fulfill the commands and example of our Messiah – to love even our enemies – these internal and external pressures can bring brokenness. Yet in brokenness, the Spirit ministers, and brings and sustains life.”
May we seek Jesus Christ, the living and reigning Lord, today and allow Him to use us to minister life to the brokenness all around us!
“LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, WE ARE BROKEN VESSELS LIVING IN A FALLEN WORLD. ANGER AND HATE SURROUND US AND OFTEN TAKE ROOT IN OUR OWN HEART. AGAINST ALL OF THIS YOU CAME AS THE PRINCE OF PEACE. YOUR WAYS LOOK BEYOND OUR SMALLNESS TO BE ROOTED IN LOVE. MAY WE TAKE OUR CUES FROM YOUR WORD AND FROM YOUR SPIRIT. MAY WE BE VOICES OF HOPE IN A HURTING AND DISTRUSTFUL WORLD. IN CHRIST’S NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.”
Rejoicing in Christ,
Pastor Jefferson
Hanover Church