Advent Readings: Psalm 45:6-7, Daniel 2:44, and Luke 1:33

HOPE 🕯

Today's readings focus on the eternal nature Christ's reign over the Kingdom. While earthly kingdoms were still rising and falling, a King who would rule forever was promised to the people over and over. For me, I take heart in knowing that true justice, based in righteousness, will ultimately prevail, and it will replace this temporary life where injustice seems to win out so much of the time. My hope is in the Lord.

Old Testament
Psalm 45:6-7
6 Your throne, God, is forever and ever;
the scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy more than your companions.

Old Testament
Daniel 2:44
[Daniel to King Nebuchadnezzar ]“In the days of those kings, the God of the heavens will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, and this kingdom will not be left to another people. It will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself endure forever."

New Testament
Luke 1:33 
[The angel Gabriel to Virgin Mary]"He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.”

CSB

Advent Readings: Genesis 49:10, Hebrews 7:11-14, and Luke 3:23-33

HOPE🕯

God's plan to restore the relationship between mankind and Himself was from the beginning. I feel so humbled that our God, our Creator, would so want to be reconciled with us that He would plan to offer the Son as a once and for all sacrifice. When Jesus returns, all will know this.

As this is the week of Hope, I was reading a bit about what it means to put your hope in God's promises. This quote from Taylor Jensen, pastor, missionary, and author,  sums it up for me. "Hope intentionally wraps His words and truth around your heart, mind, and life."  Hope is one of God's blessings. It comes from Him (Romans 15:13). We can choose to hold this gift, or we can discard it.

Old Testament

Genesis 49:10  
[Jacob speaking to his son Judah] 10 "The scepter will not depart from Judah
or the staff from between his feet
until he whose right it is comes
and the obedience of the peoples belongs to him."

New Testament

Hebrews 7:11-14
11 Now if perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the law), what further need was there for another priest to appear, said to be according to the order of Melchizedek and not according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must be a change of law as well. 13 For the one these things are spoken about belonged to a different tribe. No one from it has served at the altar. 14 Now it is evident that our Lord came from Judah, and Moses said nothing about that tribe concerning priests.

New Testament 

Luke 3:23-33
23 As he began his ministry, Jesus was about thirty years old and was thought to be the
son of Joseph, son of Heli,
24 son of Matthat, son of Levi,
son of Melchi, son of Jannai,
son of Joseph, 25 son of Mattathias,
son of Amos, son of Nahum,
son of Esli, son of Naggai,
26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias,
son of Semein, son of Josech,
son of Joda, 27 son of Joanan,
son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel,
son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,
28 son of Melchi, son of Addi,
son of Cosam, son of Elmadam,
son of Er, 29 son of Joshua,
son of Eliezer, son of Jorim,son of Matthat, son of Levi,
30 son of Simeon, son of Judah,
son of Joseph, son of Jonam,
son of Eliakim, 31 son of Melea,
son of Menna, son of Mattatha,
son of Nathan, son of David,
32 son of Jesse, son of Obed,
son of Boaz, son of Salmon,
son of Nahshon, 33 son of Amminadab,
son of Ram, son of Hezron,
son of Perez, son of Judah,

CSB