Scripture: Psalm 130 (CEB)
1 I cry out to you from the depths, LORD—
2 my Lord, listen to my voice! Let your ears pay close attention to my request for mercy!
3 If you kept track of sins, LORD— my Lord, who would stand a chance?
4 But forgiveness is with you— that's why you are honored.
5 I hope, LORD. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God's promise.
6 My whole being waits for my Lord— more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!
7 Israel, wait for the LORD! Because faithful love is with the LORD; because great redemption is with our God!
8 He is the one who will redeem Israel from all its sin.

Reflections
There was a “Peanuts” cartoon once that opened with Charlie Brown shuffling along the sidewalk looking dejected. As he ambles along he is muttering, “Nobody likes me…nobody…nobody…nobody.” Suddenly he encounters a little girl who asks him, “What’s the matter, Charlie Brown?” After a deep sigh, Charlie replies, “I’ve never been so discouraged in all my life. I think my soul needs a band-aid!” (quoted in the “Experimental Theology” blog, http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2008/02/theology-of-peanuts.html)

Do you ever feel like your soul needs a band-aid? If you’re like most of us, you sometimes feel discouraged like Charlie Brown or lonesome or hurt by the world and some people in it or confused about a decision or grieving the loss of a dear loved one or struggling to find a job or frustrated and saddened by a substance abusing child or … you could add to the list times when you have felt profound discouragement; when your spirit has been battered by one of any number of life circumstances; when, if you had been Charlie Brown, you would have sat on the curb and said, “I think my soul needs a band-aid.”

As this Advent Season draws to a close, the Psalmist has words of hope that are just as profound as any discouragement or despair that we may experience. After an initial cry “from the depths” to God, imploring God to listen, to pay close attention, to give mercy, the Psalmist concludes that, “forgiveness is with you— that's why you are honored. I hope, LORD. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God's promise. My whole being waits for my Lord— more than the night watch waits for morning; yes, more than the night watch waits for morning!”

Though he may need to wait for the fulfillment of God’s promised mercy and hope, the Psalmist is certain of its truth. The Psalmist places his trust in God and God’s loving mercy to touch his despairing and discouraged soul and make him whole. That is our promised hope, too. No matter how deep our despair or thorough our discouragement, our whole being can hope in God and God’s promise of constant love and mercy.

As Advent 2016 ends remember God’s promises of hope and healing. Remember that when your soul is wounded, God offers a band-aid in the form of his everlasting love and care. Remember, and live, the Psalmist’s words: “I hope, LORD. My whole being hopes, and I wait for God's promise.”

Meditation
• When has your soul been wounded by sharp words or life circumstances and events? How did you experience God’s love then?
• What does it mean for you to hope and “wait for God’s promises”?

Prayer
God of promise and hope, help me to live daily into the promise of your hope, mercy, and forgiveness – regardless of the circumstances which I experience. In the name of Jesus, the long-awaited Savior. Amen.