Lil Smith
December 7, 2012
0

DSCN1110Deuteronomy 18: 15-19 NRS

The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the Lord your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: “If I hear the voice of the Lord my God any more or ever again see this great fire, I will die”. Then the Lord replied to me: “They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet who shall speak to them everything that I command. Anyone who does not heed the words that the prophet shall speak in my name, I myself will hold accountable.

The Israelites are at the end of their desert wanderings about to enter the Promised Land.  Moses will not go with them.  As I read this passage, I see God’s protection, provision, and promise for the Israelites, Moses, and me.  I sense hope for the future.    One of the most amazing things about this passage is God listened to the people who were so weary of the desert and being led by a pillar of fire. They wanted a person.  God promised them a prophet. As I imagine being in the Israelites shoes, I am filled with relief that God heard my desire. This promise is the hope that God will continue to provide and protect in my new, uncharted land.  If I were in Moses place, gratitude might be my response to God’s promise because I have experienced God’s forgiveness.

The prophet that God raised up is Jesus.  It is the birth of Christ that we await now. God’s listening to the people gives me hope that God also listens to me now.  I am not weary of a real desert but there are some days when I feel similar frustration with the planning and doing that the holidays bring.  Over the years, I have simplified and streamlined what preparations are essential.  I have only been able to do this because I have realized that God does listen to me as I pray.  I have also been able to listen to God in silence, nature, and the laughter of my grandchildren. One of the gifts of this Advent season is communing with God in asking, listening and waiting in hope.  Gratitude is the result.

What is it you need from God today?  You can ask in confidence that you will be heard.  Listen and wait in holy anticipation.

Peace,

Evelyn

About The Author:

My simple life… is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I let God lead me. I have been married to Greg for 27 years and we have three wonderful children. My simple life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I let God take control. I followed God’s call to begin seminary at Perkins School of Theology in January 2006. I graduated in May 2011. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God’s call. I began the Degree in the Art of Spiritual Direction at San Francisco Theological Seminary in January 2009. I graduated in May 2011. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God's call. I was ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA and spent three amazing years in Pastoral Ministry at Highland Springs Senior Living in Dallas, TX. My life is not simple at all. Yet it is so simple when I listen for God's call. My passion is the Christian Spiritual Life. As a spiritual director and retreat leader, I am so blessed to hear how God is at work in the world. How is God at work in your life?

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