First Sunday in Advent: Old Testament, Isaiah 64:1-9             

Isaiah 64:1-9

The presence of God is reported and received in two ways in the Bible. And though understandable, it is also strange. God’s people desire His presence. God’s enemies do not. And then, … then there are those times when God’s people stray from the Lord’s Word and they move a bit into the way God’s enemies look at His nearness. Our text this week highlights the anticipation that all believers have at the beginning of Advent, “Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence-” (64:1).

The history of God’s people was strewn with great and powerful works from the hand of the Lord and that was always cause for desired visitation. But the sinfulness of mankind also begs the wrath of God forward and when He descends in judgment, the fear is palpable. Rightly so. But herein lies the “strange” in the title. It doesn’t necessarily take more than one visitation from the Lord to produce both the blessing of nearness and the abject fear of it. When God comes close, the effects are sure and certain.

The issue then is where do we stand. The goodness of God’s works toward His people are always due to His grace and favor, first to last. Wrath on the other hand is deserved. As we enter the blessed season of Advent, take stock. The heart will be revealed by how you anticipate His coming, both the remembrance of His first appearance and the prospect of His second. Well? May we all sing will full hearts:

“Come, Thou long expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; 

From our fears and sins release us; let us find our rest in Thee. 

Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth Thou art, 

Dear desire of ev’ry nation, joy of ev’ry longing heart.”

(Lutheran Service Book, #338, v. 1)