Advent Devotional by Robin Ruhlman

Psalm 25:1-10

“In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame,

nor let my enemies triumph over me.” (Psalm 25:1-2)

There are so many moments where we dream about the excitement that lies in the days to come. Anticipation can arrive in many different packages such as a perfect Christmas morning with family, a birthday celebration, phone calls declaring a snow day, a countdown to a vacation or maybe it’s a lunch date with an old friend. However, days to come don’t always bring a stereotypical cheerful milestone. At times we anticipate moments that aren’t as exciting as holidays or snow days. At times it shows up as a final cancer treatment, a lifesaving surgery, enforcing boundaries with loved ones or hearing long awaited test results.

Today’s scripture mentions enemies. These milestones were “enemies” that our family faced in the last two years. It was necessary for me to trust in God, to have some difficult and heated moments with God during prayer, to fight through several “why me” moments, and to face the reality that my cancer story would be used for a larger impact if only I was patient enough to wait for the story to reveal itself.

I delved into my faith to put my trust and hope in God and never turned back. There was never a time where I could anticipate the outcome to my cancer battle. I could rely on and lean into my hope and faith that my path would lead exactly where God intended.

As we enter this Advent season I encourage you to think of the joyous anticipations while also appreciating those anticipations that challenge us. Approach today and any day with an attitude that your enemies will not triumph if your trust is in the Lord our God. 

Robin Ruhlman