Every year since I was a child we have a family picnic at East Harbor State Park on Lake Erie. We always seem to get the same spot, and I always visit the same rock by the water. Our family has changed a lot, the picnic site has changed just a little bit, but that rock hasn't changed at all. I sit on that rock and soak in the beautiful day and watch the water trying to make its mark on that rock, but that constant, solid rock perseveres and remains unchanged each time the waves of water smash into it.
What's striking in today's readings is the recurrence of the word
steadfast --
standing firm, enduring, abiding, and firm in belief, determination, or adherence. Depending on the context and translation, the word can take on a slightly different meaning. Generally, unwavering seems to be a pretty good way to sum it up. Unwavering love. Unwavering faith. Unwavering hope. Solid as a rock.
Psalm 85 is a prayer for restoration and renewal, and with God's salvation at hand (v.9), everything that is good comes together:
steadfast love
, faithfulness, righteousness and peace (v. 10). In this season of Advent, we know that this prayer was realized through Christ. Jesus incarnate came to this earth, and our righteous God looked down from heaven (v. 11). God's love is a constant, enduring, covenantal love.
God also desires a
steadfast love
from us (Hosea 6:6). At the time, there were people upholding the Law through the ritual of sacrifice as an outward expression of love for the Lord, but internally, they were not in relationship with God. Although the Law was fulfilled through Christ, Hosea 6:6 is still applicable today. Let us not simply go through the motions--outward rituals and traditions--without being in a true and loving relationship with God. It is rare that what we portray on the outside is the same as what we feel on the inside. It is difficult to be solid as a rock through and through.
After greetings of grace and peace, Paul writes the Thessalonians about prayers of gratitude regarding their work of faith, their labor of love and their
steadfastness of hope
in our Lord Jesus Christ. Work of faith is about God using us to do his work...the work that comes from faith. A labor of love is when we prioritize--and make time for--service to the Lord as a loving obligation along with the rest of life's responsibilities, such as work, family and free time. And finally, the steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ-this is the absolute kind of hope that is the assurance of our salvation.
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