Psalms 31; Isaiah 7: 10-25; Luke 22: 14-30
Listen to the author read their meditation and prayer:
The Rev. John Lewis, Advent Meditation
“The Lord preserves the faithful….Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait 
for the Lord” – Psalm 31:23-24
The psalmist prays for deliverance from a place of intense distress. Whether from some personal tragedy, an infirmity, or just the natural effects of aging, the psalmist decries his alienation from family, friends, and neighbors. Despite his current suffering, though, he proclaims a deep trust in the Lord. His past experience fills him with confidence that God preserves and delivers those who wait patiently for the Lord to act.
In the time of Jesus, many in Israel waited expectantly for God to deliver them from the harsh oppression of Roman rule. From centuries of past experience with their faithful God, the people remained confident that one day God would act again to liberate them from their current distress.
As a practitioner and teacher of theological reflection, I help people examine and interpret their current circumstances in the light of Scripture and past experience. This reflection strengthens and encourages us as we recall the many times God has protected us and delivered us from distress.
This Advent, remember what God has already done for you. Let that experience empower you to wait patiently and confidently for the Lord to act again.
O God our refuge in times past: strengthen and encourage us to wait patiently for your saving help we know is surely coming.
The Rev. John Lewis, D.Phil.
Interim Director of Formational Outreach
SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST
John Lewis is an Episcopal priest and New Testament scholar. He recently joined the staff of the Seminary of the Southwest as the part-time Interim Director of Formational Outreach. In this new position John oversees clergy continuing education, lay formation, and the seminary’s role in bi-vocational clergy training through the Iona Initiative program. John also serves as Co-Director of St. Benedict’s Workshop, a ministry in San Antonio, Texas, that helps Christians connect faith, scripture, and experience in daily life, and is a part-time Missioner for Christian Formation in the Diocese of West Texas.
