By Enrique Cuevas-Castillo

Psalm 126
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
      we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
      and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations,
      “The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
      and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
      like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears
      reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping,
      bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
      carrying their sheaves.

The psalmist reminds us that, although we live with the joy of the Lord, and his mercies are new each morning, tears are also a reality in the life of the believer. Jesus never promised a life free of affliction and tears, but he did promise us a life that is victorious over problems: “I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!” (John 16:33). So what can we do when we are faced with painful situations?

I grew up thinking that money was used for two things: saving or spending. I either put my money in my piggy bank or I bought material goods. As an adult, I have realized that there is a third option: investing the money to obtain returns. God encourages us to carry out this third option with our tears and our pain. He doesn’t want us to keep back or avoid our tears, nor does he want us to squander them. Instead, God wants us to invest them by offering them in prayer to him so that they produce returns of joy, of character, and of maturity in our life.

Have you ever viewed tears as an investment? We have a God to whom we can pour out our tears, our frustrations, and our pain because he understands us and transforms us through them. These days of Advent remind us that we have a God who became flesh, who came into this world and experienced suffering, affliction, and pain. Advent also reminds us that this affliction gives a return of salvation and eternal life for those who believe.

Just as the return doesn’t happen overnight, the tears that we pray before God will take time to bear the fruit of joy, character, and hope. But we are assured that, by sowing our tears in Christ, we will reap the fruit of justice with rejoicing.

Prayer: Holy Father, I remember and give you thanks for sending Jesus, your beloved Son, the man of sorrows. Through him, you justified and took away the iniquities of your people. Through your Holy Spirit, help us to pour out our tears and sadness in your presence, knowing that you understand us, console us, and strengthen us. Amen.

Enrique Cuevas-Castillo is pastor of Iglesia Alas de Aguila, an RCA church plant in Allendale, Michigan.

For many people, Advent is one of the most exciting times of the year. Families that are scattered come together to celebrate. The atmosphere is full of lights, songs, and festivities. And even though this is the case for many families, there are other realities that many people face. There are people who are alone, who are not able to visit or be visited by family members. There are people who are desperate, and depression comes. For these people, Advent can be a burden, a reminder that their lives don’t seem to measure up.

The prophet Isaiah has a word for people who are suffering. He prophesies about the coming of the Messiah. The anointing upon the Savior will accomplish several things. The Savior will come to bring hope to a world that is hopeless. He will bring good news to those who are sick, sad, depressed, and alone. His promise is as his name says: Emmanuel, God with us. And as he leaves this earth his promise stands, and he declares, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

In this season, let us be sure to share this good news with people who need it most. Let us share the Lord’s favor, let us comfort those who mourn, and let us celebrate that God is with us.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for coming to this earth and shining your light upon us. Help us remember the good news of the gospel, and help us have compassion for those who still need to know you. Amen.

Rodrigo Cano is pastor of Communidad Cristiana de Grand Rapids, an RCA church plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

By Ricardo Velázquez

Mark 1:1-8
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

As it is written in the prophet Isaiah,

“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
        who will prepare your way;
the voice of one crying out in the wilderness:
        ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
        make his paths straight,’”

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Coming soon!

These words are meant to catch our attention. Whether it’s a film, a show, a new store, or a whole shopping center, the words are meant to excite us and let us know that there is something for us in the future. Because Christmas decorations get displayed as early as September, the excitement of “Coming soon!” can get lost among the usual signs of the yearly Christmas celebration, its commercialism, and its busyness. Another year of celebrating the “season” can come and go very quickly.

In the Gospel of Mark, though, the message of “Coming soon!” comes through loud and clear. And the meaning of the season is also proclaimed: Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Mark reminds us that Jesus didn’t just appear; instead, he was announced by someone who had been chosen long before and was given the privilege of making people aware of what was “coming soon!” That person was John the Baptist, a man whose clothing style and eating habits definitely were not his focus. He helped people realize the sin within them and their need to repent. John made it clear that neither he nor his lifestyle nor his actions were the answer, but that someone was to come soon and would make a difference in their lives through the Holy Spirit. John’s announcement excited people and made them aware, and when Jesus came, lives were changed.

Now it’s our privilege to announce Jesus. This Advent, let us shift our focus from our clothing and feasts to the exciting message of the gospel. Let us bear witness to Jesus and prepare the way for what the Holy Spirit can do in those around us. Their lives may be changed not only for a season but also for eternity.

Prayer: Lord, let us be the voices that speak your love to this world that needs you greatly. Let us be the voices that share the exciting message of salvation in you. Let us be the voices that echo the work of the Holy Spirit in us. Let us be the voices that announce that you are coming soon! Amen.

Ricardo Velázquez supports the areas of strategic leadership development, Hispanic ministries, and Next Generation Engagement for the RCA.

By Armando Becerra

Psalm 85:8-13
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
        for he will speak peace to his people,
        to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
        that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
        righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
        and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
        and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
        and will make a path for his steps.

Every year, my children wait anxiously for catalogs filled with new toys for the Christmas season. Each year, they spend hours and hours contemplating and writing down what they want. The list changes every day. They always choose one that that they think they have to have, no matter what. That becomes the toy of the year. Now I have a mission: to get that toy, no matter what.

Some years, I wait until the last minute. Then I find that all the toys have been sold, and there isn’t one for my children. Other years, as soon as they identify the toy they want, I buy it to make sure they will have it. Still, every year my children ask me, “Do you promise that you’re going to get it? Are you going to keep your promise?” They wait anxiously for me to say yes. “Listen to me,” I say. “Listen to what I’m going to tell you: I promise to do my part.” From the day they choose their toy until Christmas Day, it’s a time of frustration, waiting, distrust, anxiety, and impatience. The question on their minds is, “Will Dad be able to get what he promised us?”

We wonder the very same thing about God. Will he keep his promises? In Psalm 85:8, the psalmist says, “Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people.” One of the things that we can know for sure is that our God is not going to forget to fulfill his promises. We know that he will not wait until the last minute to find out that the store no longer has what he promised. We can rest assured that he will fulfill his promises. Nothing can prevent him from doing so. The psalmist says, “I will listen.” Let us pay attention to God’s words because if he has promised peace, then that peace will come even when it seems that we must wait for a long time.

Prayer: Lord, give me faith to trust in your promises and to wait for their fulfillment. Keep me faithful to you. Amen.

Armando Becerra is pastor of Rancho en Español (RCA) in Temecula, California.

By Eddy Alemán

Psalm 85:1-2
Lord, you were favorable to your land;
         you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
         you pardoned all their sin.

In the season of Advent, we remember and celebrate the birth of Jesus who was born for us and for our salvation. That promise of salvation was something the people of Israel needed to hear at the time of this psalm. Psalm 85 was written after the return of the Jews from their captivity in Babylon, most likely during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. After their arrival, however, they were also under some distress from their neighbors.

In the first two verses of this psalm we can see several things. First, God shows favor to the land and makes it acceptable and good for his people to live there. Second, God restores the fortunes of his people. This is a reference to his bringing them back from a place of captivity. Israel can now rejoice that God has set them free and has delivered them from the land and the hand of their enemy. Third, he forgives the iniquity of his people. We must be thankful that God’s forgiveness is not just a one-time thing. God is loving and forgiving toward us all the time, and in an ongoing manner. Without forgiveness we have no hope. Fourth, God covers the sins of his people. God chooses not to remember our sin. The blood of Jesus is powerful enough in one moment to fully cover all sin and unrighteousness. The removal of sin will bring the removal of God’s anger.

We must be thankful for God’s divine favor toward his people. We sometimes are quick to forget how good God has been to us. This psalm was written in the tension between God’s goodness and a difficult time. The best way to approach difficulty is by remembering how faithful God has been to us. This Advent, may we remember God’s goodness to us.

Prayer: Lord, today we remember your goodness. Thank you for showing your favor to our land, for restoring our fortunes, and for forgiving our sins.

Eddy Alemán is the director of strategic leadership development and coordinator of Hispanic ministries for the RCA.