An Advent Devotional

How to Avoid Despair in the Darkness, by Terri Fullerton

Isaiah 12: 2-6

Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust, and will not be afraid,
for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might;
He has become my salvation. (v.2)
With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
and you will say on that day:
Give thanks to the LORD,
call on his name;
make known his deeds among the nations;
proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the LORD,
for he has done gloriously;
let this be known in all the earth.
Shout aloud and sing with joy,
O royal Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel.

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

The context of Isaiah includes rebellion against God, corruption of its leaders of Judah, as seen in the social injustice against the people (5:8-23). The prophecies include warnings of God’s judgment (2:5-4:1) as seen through the sequence of destruction and ravaging of Israel by imperial nations, their Exile, and heavy oppression. The initial stage is dark with loss and suffering, with calls to turn back to God and be healed. Bruggemann explores that although the initial stage of the story is a series of looming conquests. loss, and suffering, the prophet proclaims hope for the future. The prophet sees the suffering as a purifying fire with a proclamation that a faithful remnant will return after exile (ch 11) with God doing a new thing in their future. Isaiah consistently holds the tension of God’s consequential judgment and the Creator’s restorative mercy.

How, in the midst of such darkness, oppression, and the looming destruction do they avoid despair, bitterness, and vengeance?

How will a remnant remain faithful, clinging to steadfast hope when it seems like everything will crumble?

Though Isaiah and the editors of the text did not write this to us as its primary audience, the questions are relevant for us as we wait in the now and not-yet. Bruggemann affirms that their particularity in time and place is very similar to that of Western culture.

Bruggemann also shows how the prophet weaves the theme of former things and latter things throughout the book. Former things refer to God’s judgments that culminate in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Exile (1-39). Latter things focus on God’s forgiveness and restorative purposes (40-66).Isaiah emphasizes God’s tender attentiveness which is the hope for their liberation and well-being.

Today’s reading offers a reorientation for the people of God in this hymn of praise and thanksgiving for the day to come based upon God’s unyielding love, faithfulness, and comfort (12: 1). Since the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, we live “in that day” and “in that day” to come.

Isaiah’s oratorio focuses on God’s salvation (v. 2), not based on their efforts or faithfulness but on God’s mercy. This fortifies their courage and strengthens their trust in God (v.3). This hymn recalls and proclaims what God has done in the past, rekindling their hope for the future (v. 4). They sing praises of God's glorious, creative, and salvific deeds from the past (v. 5). They shout–not hatred at their enemies nor raging retorts of blame–but proclaim and sing aloud with joy because their Holy God is in their midst (v.6).

Our Holy God is still in our midst, “though hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men.”

May we “peal the bells more loud and deep. God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.”

During our challenging times, may we bear the image of steadfast love, enduring peace, and resolve amidst the darkness and divisiveness. May we meditate on God’s salvific deeds and unending mercy to strengthen our hope. May we use our voices wisely, individually and collectively, in ways that strengthen one another, love one another, and encourage one another. May we speak—-not out of fear or retribution—-but with thankfulness that our Holy God is closer than our next breath..

May we embody light for one another as we wait in Advent, walking together in Christlike faithfulness and repeat the sound of joy. Let us sing aloud Longfellow’s poem “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” with conviction:

God is not dead, nor doth He sleep.

May we prevail with peace on earth, good will to men and a collective resolve to remember what God has done.

Terri received her Master’s in New Testament from Northern Seminary in 2022. She is currently in the DMin program at Western Theological Seminary in “The Sacred Art of Writing” at the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination.