WEEK TWO | DAY ONE
“Thus says the Lord: The people who survived the sword found grace in the wilderness; when Israel sought for rest, the Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.” —Jeremiah 31:2-3
Scripture repeatedly references the Israelites’ wilderness journey, and through the book of Exodus, we see shadows and sightings of the Savior to come. The verses above recall the grace found in the wilderness and the promised new covenant of grace. Jeremiah also reminds the people of God’s grace because they are now in exile in Babylon.
Conflict and famine forced millions of South Sudanese, including Frontier Fellowship’s South Sudanese partners, to flee. These partners weren’t sure when—or if—they could return home. They prayed that God would show them how to minister in the refugee camps where they now lived. Over the years, God used them to extend healing, comfort and provision to other displaced peoples. Doors opened for them to finally return home to South Sudan, where they continue sharing the hope of the Gospel with their least-reached neighbors, including refugees from Sudan who fled following the outbreak of war in 2023.
Just as God’s grace continued to follow the Israelites in exile, He enabled the South Sudanese Christ-followers to flourish in their displacement and continues to demonstrate His grace as they have returned home.
Each Advent we recall the longing, the waiting, the arrival and the promise of Christ’s return. Each time we turn to Scripture, we find Jesus—God’s gift of grace—faithfully leading with His everlasting love. His faithfulness is grace going forward, giving us the strength to go forward as well. Pray for those around the world who are displaced and for those who minister among them and to them.