December 3, Deac. Brittni Brown

Psalm 19:7-14

Wondrously show your steadfast love,

O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me. They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush. Arise, O LORD! Confront him, subdue him!

Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, from men by your hand, O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants

Advent, a time for reflection, a period of waiting—for what? Well, that waiting part is pretty self-explanatory. We are waiting for the coming Christ, the baby in the manger, the God who has promised to return again. The Christian life is a life of patient, expectant waiting.

But what about that reflecting thing? Ah, yes, that is the question: what do we do while we wait? We reflect, we examine, we repent. Our text tells us many things about the Law of God, that it is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, better than gold and sweeter than honey—what high praise for the Law, that part of God’s Word that is scary to look at because it shows us our sin, reminds us we fall short, and tells us what to do. The Bible speaks so highly of the Law, so there must be something about it that is good for the Christian, since Christ did not abolish the Law but fulfilled it. God gave the Law in the Old Testament to help distinguish His people from those around them—not for His sake, but for theirs so that they would remember Whose they were. God’s people were to abide by His Law because it was good for them. It allowed them to live in peace with one another and with God. It showed them their sin so that they could repent and be forgiven. It helped them be God’s holy people. This is still what God’s Law does for us. It is good for our bodies and keeps us pure, it allows us to live in peace with God and with our fellow Christians, and it shows us where we fall short, not for the sake of punishment, but for the sake of

repentance. The Law is pure and right and clean and good because it helps us to look at our sin-sick hearts and see that we fall short (even when we don’t see where). It also helps us to turn to God, who forgives and heals and makes right, and to repent and receive those gifts which He offers us.

So, this Advent, as you await the coming of our Lord, reflect on the Law, take a long look at your sin-sick self and repent, and then hear the words of forgiveness our Lord speaks in your ears. Pray, as the Psalmist, that your words and thoughts would be pleasing to God. You will not be found wanting when Christ comes.

Deaconess Brittni Brown

Deaconess at Grace Lutheran Church, Hobbs, New Mexico and Our Savior Lutheran Church, Lovington, New Mexico

Rocky Mountain District Christ Academy: Student Director 2016 Christ Academy: High School Professor 2021