God’s Love came down at Christmas. This gift of God’s agape love has your name on it. But it isn’t yours until you open it. Praying this prayer from Psalms is a good way to get the wrapping off. Giving yourself to Him, Christ gives Himself to you. Have you opened God’s Christmas gift?
God told Zerubbabel that neither the collective force of his people, nor his own individual effort would be able to rebuild the temple. He would have to rely on God’s Spirit for empowerment. God usually has to strip us of our own power and might, or let us come to the end of it, in order to teach us to rely on Him. Whatever God has called you to do, it will only be accomplished through His strength and not yours. Be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18).
David’s prayer is appropriate for all, but especially for those who presume to teach and preach. I pray this always, and even more fervently before stepping in front of God’s people on Sunday mornings.
John the Revelator saw the birth of Jesus from heaven’s perspective. I believe the woman represents Israel with the 12 stars being the 12 tribes (see Joseph’s dream in Gen. 37:9). John catches a glimpse behind the curtain of pre-history and of the spiritual warfare that preceded the Savior’s birth. Satan tried to stop Christmas, but failed.
The Magi followed the star looking for the one born king, and found HIm in the city of Bethlehem as prophesied. Yet, His kingdom had not yet come. Jesus preached the kingdom, and taught us to pray “Thy kingdom come” prayers. He was crucified and rose from the grave to overcome the ruler of this world and inaugurate His Kingdom. Some day, the 7th trumpet will sound and King Jesus’ will reign on earth as in heaven.
John ate the scroll containing the word from God. This should always be the preacher’s process, to first “eat” the Word before proclaiming it. The Word needs to have its effect on the prophet before repeating it to others.
The prophet Habakkuk wondered where the Lord was when he saw violence and injustice in his nation. But the Lord was watching and responded. He raised up Babylon to invade Judah to conquer and lay waste. There is a limit to God’s patience with violence and injustice. The prophets warned Judah, but they did not repent.
Nahum prophesied against Nineveh, the city that repented under Jonah’s preaching but soon returned to its idolatry. Located East of the Tigris and the modern city of Mosul, this capital city of Assyria fell, never to be rebuilt in 612 BC. In this the Lord’s attributes are illustrated. He is infinitely patient, giving second and third chances to repent. But He is also omnipotent and just, not only able, but willing to correct wrongs. Like Jonah, we wonder if God will ever act to address the injustice of this world. But don’t mistake His patience for inaction. He offers many warnings for repentance before dispensing justice.
This is one of 300 Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Christ. Among them are those surrounding His birth: the star, born in Bethlehem, Son of God, virgin birth, line of David, out of Egypt, and even the execution of Rachel’s children. This is the Christmas story. It’s not just the angels, shepherds and wisemen. It’s also the worldly king Herod and the evil in mankind that would murder children. This is why Jesus came. He came to die for our sins, so that we could be set free from this death sentence.
The prophet Micah foretold a day when Judah would fall to Babylon and their children would be taken. Evil always targets the innocent. Didn’t the worldly king Herod kill all those under two years in Bethlehem, trying to kill Jesus? What happened in Newton, CT yesterday reminds us that evil is real and that humanity is fallen and that Jesus is our only hope of redemption.