Advent Devotional - December 2nd

December 2 A Promise Already Fulfilled
Martin B. Copenhaver
Here, as the prophet Isaiah anticipates the coming of God’s anointed one, the Messiah, he speaks in the present tense, as if the promise has been fulfilled already. It is a remarkable statement of trust. The prophet is affirming that when we wait for one of God’s promises to be fulfilled we can speak of it as if it is already accomplished. This confidence is based on two things we know about God: God cannot lie and God has the power to make good on God’s promises. So when God has promised something, it is as good as done. The coming of God’s anointed one first was a promise fulfilled in the heart of the prophet, awaiting fulfillment in history. When we await the coming of Jesus in Advent the order is reversed: the promise of the coming of God’s anointed one has already been fulfilled in history and awaits fulfillment in our hearts. Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.Isaiah 60:1

Prayer: O promise-making, promise-keeping God, help me in this season to rest in your
promises with the confidence of one who sees them as promises already fulfilled in the
birth we anticipate. Amen.