Thomas C. Knudson Meditation

Today’s readings resound with messages of hope and deliverance. The author of Judges describes a turning away from God by Israel and 40 years of cruel subjection to the Philistines. A barren woman delivers a child who will grow to be Samson, the

scourge of the Philistines and the hope of Israel, but a very imperfect hope.

The Psalmist, possibly David in his old age and beset by troubles, cries out to God to “rescue me and deliver me” because “you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord.” David knows that only God is the perfect hope and deliverance.

One thousand years must pass before Luke tells of yet another barren woman, used by God to produce the one who will announce not just a message of hope and deliverance, but the arrival of the one whose birth we are about to celebrate—the one who is our Hope and our Deliverance.

Heavenly Father, help us to remember that the baby in the manger made us and died for us, that we might have true hope and deliverance. Amen.

Thomas C. Knudson
Seminary of the Southwest
St. John The Devine
Houston, Texas