"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Luke 2:12
The angel spoke these famous words to the shepherds in the fields on the eve of Jesus birth. The words fulfilled a prophecy spoken by Isaiah, "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. " They however echoed something else which is found in the story that Isaiah is telling in Chapter 7.
The kings of Israel and Syria in the days of Ahaz king of Judah aligned with one another to defeat the king of Judah. "the LORD unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz,....(tell him) fear not, neither be fainthearted for...(the two kings shall not be successful against you) For the head of Syria is Damascus, and the head of Damascus is Rezin; and within threescore and five years shall Ephraim be broken, that it be not a people.
And the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Remaliah's son. If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established." The Lord then went onto say to Ahaz, "Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above."
God wanted Ahaz to simply ask him for a sign, "But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD." God, I believe put off by Ahaz' lack of faith said watch this, I will go beyond this situation and reveal to you a real miracle (my words). He said, "the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings." (Is 7:3-20)
God told us in this story that he was bigger than Ahaz's minor problem and that what he would give the world was a Savior and that he would rid the land of (Israel's)two kings and all further evil would be trampled under his feet. He would establish himself King of the Jews and never again woud their be kings of Judah or Israel!
When will we learn that God is bigger than all of our problems? He is in control and he will help us if we will only ask him in faith!
My prayer. Father, thank you for revealing yourself to us through your word. I pray that my trust in You would increase as I walk closer to you. Thank you for the gift of your Son and the gift of salvation that we can pass to others as members of His body. I pray this Christmas season be a time of renewal and revival. I pray that Christians around the world will come to know the power that you have given each one of them through the power of the Holy Spirit. Help us Lord to be ambassadors of Christ through our lives. Use us today Lord to be your hands and feet. In Jesus name I pray, Amen
Showing posts with label Trust in the Lord Always. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trust in the Lord Always. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Out of Egypt I Called my Son!
When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." Matthew 2:13-15
After the birth of Jesus and his subsequent return to Nazareth, Magi from the east (most-likely Babylon) approached King Herod in Jerusalem to seek where they could find the Christ. They came bearing gifts and to worship the one that had been prophesied in the scriptures and for whom they referred, king of the Jews. They were directed to Bethlehem by Herod’s advisers and teachers of the law and off they went. Secretly Herod plotted to kill the child as he was deeply concerned about losing his throne.
Again, Divine providence was upon Joseph and Mary and the young boy Jesus when an angel told them to flee to the desert until the danger had passed. Shortly afterwards around, 4 AD, Herod died and the threat to the life of Jesus was over, allowing the family to return to Nazareth.
As we read these writings about the life of Jesus at Christmas time, we are reminded of the obedience of Mary and Joseph and how much the hand of God was on this family and His only begotten Son. As I meditate on these scriptures, my heart fills with joy at how much God did to fulfill his promise of redemption.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, I believe he was very disappointed but not unforgiving. Josephus writes on the heels of the eating of the forbidden fruit,
“God said, ‘I had before determined about you both, how you might lead a happy life, without any affliction, and care, and vexation of soul; and that all things which might contribute to your enjoyment and pleasure should grow up by my providence, of their own accord, without your own labor and pains-taking; which state of labor and pains-taking would soon bring on old age, and death would not be at any remote distance: but now thou hast abused this my good-will, and hast disobeyed my commands.’”
God therefore, had to punish us. But he soon began his plan of redemption because he loved us so much.
Several thousand years later, God will order Joseph and his family to the desert for safety. The key ingredient, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, is that both Joseph and Mary were obedient, doing exactly what they were told when they were asked. This precise and unquestioning trust in the Lord’s requirements are a lesson to all of us that no matter the request from God, if we are to see his plans fulfilled in our lives, we must obey completely and immediately!
My prayer. Father, thank you for your word and the precision of your blessings to those who follow it without question. Lord, continue to teach me how to give you my complete trust, both in the good things and in the uncomfortable situations. I want to have the obedience of a Joseph. Help me start this Christmas so that I may be a better servant to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
After the birth of Jesus and his subsequent return to Nazareth, Magi from the east (most-likely Babylon) approached King Herod in Jerusalem to seek where they could find the Christ. They came bearing gifts and to worship the one that had been prophesied in the scriptures and for whom they referred, king of the Jews. They were directed to Bethlehem by Herod’s advisers and teachers of the law and off they went. Secretly Herod plotted to kill the child as he was deeply concerned about losing his throne.
Again, Divine providence was upon Joseph and Mary and the young boy Jesus when an angel told them to flee to the desert until the danger had passed. Shortly afterwards around, 4 AD, Herod died and the threat to the life of Jesus was over, allowing the family to return to Nazareth.
As we read these writings about the life of Jesus at Christmas time, we are reminded of the obedience of Mary and Joseph and how much the hand of God was on this family and His only begotten Son. As I meditate on these scriptures, my heart fills with joy at how much God did to fulfill his promise of redemption.
When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden, I believe he was very disappointed but not unforgiving. Josephus writes on the heels of the eating of the forbidden fruit,
“God said, ‘I had before determined about you both, how you might lead a happy life, without any affliction, and care, and vexation of soul; and that all things which might contribute to your enjoyment and pleasure should grow up by my providence, of their own accord, without your own labor and pains-taking; which state of labor and pains-taking would soon bring on old age, and death would not be at any remote distance: but now thou hast abused this my good-will, and hast disobeyed my commands.’”
God therefore, had to punish us. But he soon began his plan of redemption because he loved us so much.
Several thousand years later, God will order Joseph and his family to the desert for safety. The key ingredient, without the benefit of 20/20 hindsight, is that both Joseph and Mary were obedient, doing exactly what they were told when they were asked. This precise and unquestioning trust in the Lord’s requirements are a lesson to all of us that no matter the request from God, if we are to see his plans fulfilled in our lives, we must obey completely and immediately!
My prayer. Father, thank you for your word and the precision of your blessings to those who follow it without question. Lord, continue to teach me how to give you my complete trust, both in the good things and in the uncomfortable situations. I want to have the obedience of a Joseph. Help me start this Christmas so that I may be a better servant to you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
May it be to me as You have said!
I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. (Luke 1:38)
Praise God that Mary was obedient to His request that she, yet a virgin, would bear the Son of God in her womb! As I contemplate the birth of our Savior this Christmas season, I am amazed at just how obedient she was and what a personal risk she would undertake for the Lord.
I wonder if I could take such a step of faith. I know in my own walk I struggle to give God the easiest things, I can’t imagine myself trusting Him with the dedication of Mary. Why do we find it so difficult to trust, in the safety of our cushy lives?
The word trust “peitho” in the Greek language means “to rely upon, to have confidence in or to believe in.” Trust leaves us with four options in which we can place our confidence or on which we can believe, material objects, other people, ourselves, and, if we are believers, God. Most often trust in the first two leads to disappointment and sometimes a great deal of pain. This leaves only to trust in our own ability or God’s. Herein lies our dilemma, it cannot be both, so we must choose to trust completely in ourselves or in our Creator.
Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 62:8 confirms, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” As believers, we really have but one choice and that is to trust our Father. He created us, to love and be in relationship with us, and He gave his most prized possession, His Son, to die a horrible death for the redemption of our sins. How could we question his love and his ability to accomplish the things we give to him in prayer? Yet we do.
I believe the root of our inability to fully trust God lies in our separation from Him resulting from “original sin.” Even though we are saved through the blood of Jesus, the remnant of the shame of original sin still haunts us. We continue to allow ourselves to move back toward self-reliance and away from God-reliance. Self-discovery and our belief that we control our own destiny, hold us back from fully giving ourselves over to God’s will for our lives.
We must continually renew our minds by constantly pulling away from the world order and remain in God’s perfect will for our lives (Romans 12:2). It is only then that we can say and live what Mary said, “I am the Lords servant, may it be to me as you said.”
My prayer. Forgive me Lord for my lack of trust in You, the only one who truly has my best interests at heart. I love you Father and know that you alone know Your perfect will for my life. Let my life be of complete and useful service to you, help me to step out on the water and trust that you will lead me across the surface in perfect agreement with your will and for the advancement of your Kingdom. I pray in earnest and with humble repentance for ever doubting your trustworthiness. In Jesus name! Amen
Praise God that Mary was obedient to His request that she, yet a virgin, would bear the Son of God in her womb! As I contemplate the birth of our Savior this Christmas season, I am amazed at just how obedient she was and what a personal risk she would undertake for the Lord.
I wonder if I could take such a step of faith. I know in my own walk I struggle to give God the easiest things, I can’t imagine myself trusting Him with the dedication of Mary. Why do we find it so difficult to trust, in the safety of our cushy lives?
The word trust “peitho” in the Greek language means “to rely upon, to have confidence in or to believe in.” Trust leaves us with four options in which we can place our confidence or on which we can believe, material objects, other people, ourselves, and, if we are believers, God. Most often trust in the first two leads to disappointment and sometimes a great deal of pain. This leaves only to trust in our own ability or God’s. Herein lies our dilemma, it cannot be both, so we must choose to trust completely in ourselves or in our Creator.
Psalm 20:7 says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 62:8 confirms, “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” As believers, we really have but one choice and that is to trust our Father. He created us, to love and be in relationship with us, and He gave his most prized possession, His Son, to die a horrible death for the redemption of our sins. How could we question his love and his ability to accomplish the things we give to him in prayer? Yet we do.
I believe the root of our inability to fully trust God lies in our separation from Him resulting from “original sin.” Even though we are saved through the blood of Jesus, the remnant of the shame of original sin still haunts us. We continue to allow ourselves to move back toward self-reliance and away from God-reliance. Self-discovery and our belief that we control our own destiny, hold us back from fully giving ourselves over to God’s will for our lives.
We must continually renew our minds by constantly pulling away from the world order and remain in God’s perfect will for our lives (Romans 12:2). It is only then that we can say and live what Mary said, “I am the Lords servant, may it be to me as you said.”
My prayer. Forgive me Lord for my lack of trust in You, the only one who truly has my best interests at heart. I love you Father and know that you alone know Your perfect will for my life. Let my life be of complete and useful service to you, help me to step out on the water and trust that you will lead me across the surface in perfect agreement with your will and for the advancement of your Kingdom. I pray in earnest and with humble repentance for ever doubting your trustworthiness. In Jesus name! Amen
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