Our Dwelling Place...

SCRIPTURE

Psalm 90 (NRSV)

Lord, you have been our dwelling place
in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
You turn us back to dust,
and say, "Turn back, you mortals."
For a thousand years in your sight
are like yesterday when it is past,
or like a watch in the night.
You sweep them away; they are like a dream,
like grass that is renewed in the morning;
in the morning it flourishes and is renewed;
in the evening it fades and withers.
For we are consumed by your anger;
by your wrath we are overwhelmed.
You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
For all our days pass away under your wrath;
our years come to an end like a sigh.
The days of our life are seventy years,
or perhaps eighty, if we are strong;
even then their span is only toil and trouble;
they are soon gone, and we fly away.
Who considers the power of your anger?
Your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you.
So teach us to count our days
that we may gain a wise heart.
Turn, O Lord! How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love,
so that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad as many days as you have afflicted us,
and as many years as we have seen evil.
Let your work be manifest to your servants,
and your glorious power to their children.
Let the favor of the LORD our God be upon us,
and prosper for us the work of our hands --
O prosper the work of our hands!


ADVENT DEVOTIONAL

My imagination is captured by the words, "Lord, you have been our dwelling place..."

What does it mean to dwell in--and with--God during the Advent Season?

To dwell means to "live or stay as a permanent resident and to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech or writing (dictionary.com)."

As we dwell in God during this season of waiting, let us center our very lives in God. May our breath become prayer and our idle time be found pondering over a scripture, or writing a psalm of praise in a journal.

As we wait, let us linger as we meditate on Christ's coming, stay vigilant in the love and care of others, and emphasize the importance of the worship of our King!

It's worth dwelling on The Incarnate Word--Jesus Christ! Advent slows us down, refocuses our attention and priorities, and helps us to ask the question, "What would LOVE have me to do?"

Today's devotional reminds us that we are sinners, saved by God's Unconditional Love & Amazing Grace revealed to us in Christ Jesus! As we await the second coming of Jesus in glory, let us also be aware that God has chosen to dwell in our hearts and that the Holy Spirit is available to us that we might dwell in God, even as God dwells in us.

You are steadfastly loved, dear ones! You are treasured, forgiven and redeeemed! Rejoice and be glad! You are favored and prosperous in ways that you cannot even imagine! Dwell in this good news and then share it with others... 

Peace be with you...

PRAYER

Dear Lord, help me to dwell in you, even as you dwell in me. Help me to allow this Advent Season to be a time of slowing down and spending time focused on you. In Jesus' Name, Amen.