Wednesday of the First week of Advent. Bible Study: Isaiah 25:6-10, Psalm 23:1-6 and Matthew 15:29-37
“It will be said on that day, ‘Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.’” (Isaiah 25:9)
In the time of Isaiah, the people who listened to him could only imagine what he was talking about. Nonetheless, as we see in the Gospel passage, the prophecy of Isaiah became a reality in the feeding of the multitude. Dear friends, the message for us today is very simple: Everything that God has revealed in the Bible must surely come to pass. God never fails. He is Faithful. He never fails.
Christmas, which is the celebration of God becoming man for our sake is a time to remind ourselves that God is a promise-keeper. As all the prophets spoke about, so it came to pass. One beautiful song puts it this way: “The Steadfast Love of the Lord never ceaseth, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, new every morning, great is thy faithfulness O Lord, great is thy faithfulness.”
Our Responsorial Psalm today sings of God as a shepherd who never lets his sheep down. A shepherd who gives his sheep repose along fresh and green pastures; as a shepherd who guides the sheep along the right path; a shepherd who never abandons his sheep even when they walk through the shadow of death; and a shepherd who prepares a table for the sheep even in the presence of the enemies.
Things may appear very tough for you right now; you may have felt disappointed in God, the Church or its ministers in the past for not meeting your expectations. Nevertheless, know this that God has not changed, He is still a Faithful God and He has not failed you yet. Christmas is a reminder that God is yet to give up on humankind.
Another song puts it thus: “God is not a man, His words will surely come to pass, He would never fail, His word will come to pass.” Whenever I am tempted to asking God “Why this or Why that?” I remind myself of St. Paul’s admonition: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.” (Romans 8:28).
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, deepen my faith and conviction in your word. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you.