Deut. 8:1 "The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers. And you shall remember the whole way that the LORD your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you,testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD. Your clothing did not wear out on you and your foot did not swell these forty years. Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the LORD your God disciplines you. So you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and by fearing him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in the valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity, in which you will lack nothing, a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you can dig copper. And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land he has given you.
"Take care lest you forget the LORD your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.' You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day. And if you forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish. Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.
I can't believe this is the last day of 2008.
For many this will be a year that will not soon be forgotten, for reasons like; portfolios crashing, IRA's depleted, home foreclosures, businesses failing and, in the Northwest, a deep, white Christmas.
Some of those reminders I will remember but there are some other unique ones for me personally.
March 22 will be a day that I will remember as a turning point for me and our family. This is not because of something I have done to change my outlook, but it is God who is calling the shots and His reminders can be very vivid. I truly think this is one of the best things that could have happened to our family, though Grant has to live with the reminder the most. God is faithful to teach us things when we are willing to listen. He may continue to teach even when we are not initially unwilling and I hope that He continues to teach me what He wants me to get until I get it.
A stone show in Italy in late Sept. and October is an event that Teresa and I frequent, but this year was certainly unique, even internationally. With elections going on here and people in Europe talking about them as if they were electing their own President, there was a different tone to the show. Much of the rest of the world understood early on the importance of our elections, maybe more than some Americans did. Then in the midst of Presidential talks came the global economic slowdown/meltdown or whatever you want to call it. There was not much on TV in Europe that we could understand except for CNN and all that was on their mind was elections and the economy, so that weighed heavy on my mind while away buying stone for PG.
With all the craziness of the economy there is always the possibility of businesses going under, and PG is not exempt from any of that. God is SOLELY in control of PG's success and He is the One who will direct exactly what we need to keep us going or not. I truly believe this, though there are times when things begin to look good for even a couple of days that I stop relying on Him as much and breathe easier, which is totally foolish.
My prayer for 2009 is that I would remember where God has taken us, how He has so faithfully provided, protected and encouraged us and that He would continue to show me the path that He wants me to take personally, with our family and corporately.
He has been so faithful to get us through all of this and has taught us much. He is Good and He will continue to be good. I want to revel in His majesty in 2009 and prepare for what He has ahead, whether that is in the "Promised Land" or here on earth I want to be found faithful to Him.
Have a blessed New Year and look only to Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, December 29, 2008
Promises, Promises.
This, again, is from Thomas a Kempis. There is nothing I need to add to this, except that I need to read this and listen to Christ's voice more.
"I taught the prophets from the beginning, and even to this day I continue to speak to all men. But many are hardened. Many are deaf to My voice. Most men listen more willingly to the world than to God. They are more ready to follow the appetite of their flesh than the good pleasure of God. The world, which promises small and passing things, is served with great eagerness: I promise great and eternal things and the hearts of men grow dull. Who is there that serves and obeys Me in all things with as great care as that with which the world and its masters are served?
"Be thou ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea speaketh." And if you ask why, listen to the cause: for a small gain they travel far; for eternal life many will scarcely lift a foot from the ground. They seek a petty reward, and sometimes fight shamefully in law courts for a single piece of money. They are not afraid to work day and night for a trifle or an empty promise. But, for an unchanging good, for a reward beyond estimate, for the greatest honor and for glory everlasting, it must be said to their shame that men begrudge even the least fatigue. Be ashamed, then, lazy and complaining servant, that they should be found more eager for perdition than you are for life, that they rejoice more in vanity than you in truth.
Sometimes indeed their expectations fail them, but My promise never deceives, nor does it send away empty-handed him who trusts in Me. What I have promised I will give. What I have said I will fulfill, if only a man remain faithful in My love to the end. I am the rewarder of all the good, the strong approver of all who are devoted to Me.
Write My words in your heart and meditate on them earnestly, for in time of temptation they will be very necessary. What you do not understand when you read, you will learn in the day of visitation. I am wont to visit My elect in two ways -- by temptation and by consolation. To them I read two lessons daily -- one reproving their vices, the other exhorting them to progress in virtue. He who has My words and despises them has that which shall condemn him on the last day."
"I taught the prophets from the beginning, and even to this day I continue to speak to all men. But many are hardened. Many are deaf to My voice. Most men listen more willingly to the world than to God. They are more ready to follow the appetite of their flesh than the good pleasure of God. The world, which promises small and passing things, is served with great eagerness: I promise great and eternal things and the hearts of men grow dull. Who is there that serves and obeys Me in all things with as great care as that with which the world and its masters are served?
"Be thou ashamed, O Sidon, for the sea speaketh." And if you ask why, listen to the cause: for a small gain they travel far; for eternal life many will scarcely lift a foot from the ground. They seek a petty reward, and sometimes fight shamefully in law courts for a single piece of money. They are not afraid to work day and night for a trifle or an empty promise. But, for an unchanging good, for a reward beyond estimate, for the greatest honor and for glory everlasting, it must be said to their shame that men begrudge even the least fatigue. Be ashamed, then, lazy and complaining servant, that they should be found more eager for perdition than you are for life, that they rejoice more in vanity than you in truth.
Sometimes indeed their expectations fail them, but My promise never deceives, nor does it send away empty-handed him who trusts in Me. What I have promised I will give. What I have said I will fulfill, if only a man remain faithful in My love to the end. I am the rewarder of all the good, the strong approver of all who are devoted to Me.
Write My words in your heart and meditate on them earnestly, for in time of temptation they will be very necessary. What you do not understand when you read, you will learn in the day of visitation. I am wont to visit My elect in two ways -- by temptation and by consolation. To them I read two lessons daily -- one reproving their vices, the other exhorting them to progress in virtue. He who has My words and despises them has that which shall condemn him on the last day."
The Cost of Sin
I have just moved from reading in Exodus to Leviticus and there is much talk about sacrificing.
We obviously don't sacrifice, as the Israelites did, but there is application and wisdom that can be gleaned from these chapters.
Lev. 4:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD’s commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them, if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the LORD for a sin offering. He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the LORD.
God wants us to understand that sin is not always intentional, but any sin is still sin in His eyes and must be accounted for.
Then God talks about the priest, or leader, sinning and bringing guilt on all the people. WOW, we need to be praying that our leaders are walking uprightly as much as we are praying that we would live upright.
And then God brings right to the front the cost of sin.
I know that Kimmy's small group had talked about this a long time ago. Imagine being an Israelite and having to sacrifice tangible things for your sin. This was obviously set up for them to understand the cost of sin and redemption, but I have often overlooked it as much as they missed the picture for them. So, you have sinned and you go to the Temple, to sacrifice, with your animal. Now there are many people in line to sacrifice and the practice is a very messy one. The priests had to be standing in blood and had blood on their hands much of the time. So you're in line to take care of your first sin and someone that is irritating you in in the line close to you. You are doing fine until they have just pushed the wrong button and now you don't have enough animals to atone for your sin. You have to get out of line and go back home and get another one. Do you really have time for this? And then then actual cost. Every time you sin you deplete your herd, or flock, and there is a real cost associated with this. I wouldn't have very many animals and I would be spending a lot of time in line.
I am thankful to live in the age of grace. I should focus more on the cost for the payment of my sin. "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe." God gives us these stories so that we might remember His faithfulness and provision to His people in every way.
Romans 6: 1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
We obviously don't sacrifice, as the Israelites did, but there is application and wisdom that can be gleaned from these chapters.
Lev. 4:1 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the LORD’s commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them, if it is the anointed priest who sins, thus bringing guilt on the people, then he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the LORD for a sin offering. He shall bring the bull to the entrance of the tent of meeting before the LORD and lay his hand on the head of the bull and kill the bull before the LORD.
God wants us to understand that sin is not always intentional, but any sin is still sin in His eyes and must be accounted for.
Then God talks about the priest, or leader, sinning and bringing guilt on all the people. WOW, we need to be praying that our leaders are walking uprightly as much as we are praying that we would live upright.
And then God brings right to the front the cost of sin.
I know that Kimmy's small group had talked about this a long time ago. Imagine being an Israelite and having to sacrifice tangible things for your sin. This was obviously set up for them to understand the cost of sin and redemption, but I have often overlooked it as much as they missed the picture for them. So, you have sinned and you go to the Temple, to sacrifice, with your animal. Now there are many people in line to sacrifice and the practice is a very messy one. The priests had to be standing in blood and had blood on their hands much of the time. So you're in line to take care of your first sin and someone that is irritating you in in the line close to you. You are doing fine until they have just pushed the wrong button and now you don't have enough animals to atone for your sin. You have to get out of line and go back home and get another one. Do you really have time for this? And then then actual cost. Every time you sin you deplete your herd, or flock, and there is a real cost associated with this. I wouldn't have very many animals and I would be spending a lot of time in line.
I am thankful to live in the age of grace. I should focus more on the cost for the payment of my sin. "Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe." God gives us these stories so that we might remember His faithfulness and provision to His people in every way.
Romans 6: 1What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
APPRECIATING GOD'S GRACE
I have read this section of Thomas a Kempis' book numerous times and it hits me hard every time. This addresses a number of topics including working, testing, patience, thankfulness, humility and contrition, pride, grace giving and receiving and sovereignty. "Oh for grace to trust Him more."
Appreciating God's Grace
Thomas a Kempis
WHY do you look for rest when you were born to work? Resign yourself to patience rather than to comfort, to carrying your cross rather than to enjoyment.
What man in the world, if he could always have them, would not readily accept consolation and spiritual joy, benefits which excel all earthly delights and pleasures of the body? The latter, indeed, are either vain or base, while spiritual joys, born of virtue and infused by God into pure minds, are alone truly pleasant and noble.
Now, since the moment of temptation is always nigh, since false freedom of mind and overconfidence in self are serious obstacles to these visitations from heaven, a man can never enjoy them just as he wishes.
God does well in giving the grace of consolation, but man does evil in not returning everything gratefully to God. Thus, the gifts of grace cannot flow in us when we are ungrateful to the Giver, when we do not return them to the Fountainhead. Grace is always given to him who is duly grateful, and what is wont to be given the humble will be taken away from the proud.
I do not desire consolation that robs me of contrition, nor do I care for contemplation that leads to pride, for not all that is high is holy, nor is all that is sweet good, nor every desire pure, nor all that is dear to us pleasing to God. I accept willingly the grace whereby I become more humble and contrite, more willing to renounce self.
The man who has been taught by the gift of grace, and who learns by the lash of its withdrawal, will never dare to attribute any good to himself, but will rather admit his poverty and emptiness. Give to God what is God's and ascribe to yourself what is yours. Give Him thanks, then, for His grace, but place upon yourself alone the blame and the punishment your fault deserves.
Always take the lowest place and the highest will be given you, for the highest cannot exist apart from the lowest. The saints who are greatest before God are those who consider themselves the least, and the more humble they are within themselves, so much the more glorious they are. Since they do not desire vainglory, they are full of truth and heavenly glory. Being established and strengthened in God, they can by no means be proud. They attribute to God whatever good they have received; they seek no glory from one another but only that which comes from God alone. They desire above all things that He be praised in themselves and in all His saints -- this is their constant purpose.
Be grateful, therefore, for the least gift and you will be worthy to receive a greater. Consider the least gift as the greatest, the most contemptible as something special. And, if you but look to the dignity of the Giver, no gift will appear too small or worthless. Even though He give punishments and scourges, accept them, because He acts for our welfare in whatever He allows to befall us.
He who desires to keep the grace of God ought to be grateful when it is given and patient when it is withdrawn. Let him pray that it return; let him be cautious and humble lest he lose it.
Appreciating God's Grace
Thomas a Kempis
WHY do you look for rest when you were born to work? Resign yourself to patience rather than to comfort, to carrying your cross rather than to enjoyment.
What man in the world, if he could always have them, would not readily accept consolation and spiritual joy, benefits which excel all earthly delights and pleasures of the body? The latter, indeed, are either vain or base, while spiritual joys, born of virtue and infused by God into pure minds, are alone truly pleasant and noble.
Now, since the moment of temptation is always nigh, since false freedom of mind and overconfidence in self are serious obstacles to these visitations from heaven, a man can never enjoy them just as he wishes.
God does well in giving the grace of consolation, but man does evil in not returning everything gratefully to God. Thus, the gifts of grace cannot flow in us when we are ungrateful to the Giver, when we do not return them to the Fountainhead. Grace is always given to him who is duly grateful, and what is wont to be given the humble will be taken away from the proud.
I do not desire consolation that robs me of contrition, nor do I care for contemplation that leads to pride, for not all that is high is holy, nor is all that is sweet good, nor every desire pure, nor all that is dear to us pleasing to God. I accept willingly the grace whereby I become more humble and contrite, more willing to renounce self.
The man who has been taught by the gift of grace, and who learns by the lash of its withdrawal, will never dare to attribute any good to himself, but will rather admit his poverty and emptiness. Give to God what is God's and ascribe to yourself what is yours. Give Him thanks, then, for His grace, but place upon yourself alone the blame and the punishment your fault deserves.
Always take the lowest place and the highest will be given you, for the highest cannot exist apart from the lowest. The saints who are greatest before God are those who consider themselves the least, and the more humble they are within themselves, so much the more glorious they are. Since they do not desire vainglory, they are full of truth and heavenly glory. Being established and strengthened in God, they can by no means be proud. They attribute to God whatever good they have received; they seek no glory from one another but only that which comes from God alone. They desire above all things that He be praised in themselves and in all His saints -- this is their constant purpose.
Be grateful, therefore, for the least gift and you will be worthy to receive a greater. Consider the least gift as the greatest, the most contemptible as something special. And, if you but look to the dignity of the Giver, no gift will appear too small or worthless. Even though He give punishments and scourges, accept them, because He acts for our welfare in whatever He allows to befall us.
He who desires to keep the grace of God ought to be grateful when it is given and patient when it is withdrawn. Let him pray that it return; let him be cautious and humble lest he lose it.
God is very Specific
It is interesting to me how specific God is in His directives to His people concerning worship. He gives 3 chapters concerning how they are to live, with the 10 commandments and laws regarding he treatment of others. And then He uses 5 chapters to tell the Israelites exactly how He wants the Tabernacle to be built, situated, overlaid, carved, sewn and treated. It is also interesting that He chose the craftsman He wanted to work on His project because they were very skilled. God wants things done with excellence.
If it was this important for Him to spend so many words on, then it still must be important today. Is our attitude towards worship and His House what it should be?
If it was this important for Him to spend so many words on, then it still must be important today. Is our attitude towards worship and His House what it should be?
Work vs. Rest 6 to 1 ratio
GOD DOES PROVIDE FOR HIS CHILDREN
In Genesis God gave Adam and Eve the command, and the example to work 6 days and then to rest on the 7th. God didn't need the rest, as we know rest, but He wanted to set the example of 1 day a week being set apart for Him. This is to be a day to remember who He is and what He has done for us.
In Exodus 16 God gives the command and Moses sets the example of resting on the 7th day. It is interesting that God provided for His people's needs in such a tangible way. It is also interesting to me that manna was provided for only a portion of the 6 days, when it got warm the manna melted, but on the 7th day God allowed the manna to last the entire 6th day and into the 7th day without melting.
Even though this is a narrative, God telling us a story as it happened, there is much to be learned from it.
1. God promises to provide for His people, even if that means just the next meal.
2. When God sets the rules, it is best to follow those rules. He can make worms grow in your "abundance".
3. God hears our grumbling, whether it is audible to others or not.
4. God expects us to be a thankful people. We have been given way more than we deserve, and if we complain we should be ashamed.
5. God has written these things down for us that we might remember His care and faithfulness for His children.
6. God is still faithful even when we are not.
It is good for us to be reminded of how ugly it is to be ungrateful for His provision. It is easy for me to read the OT accounts and think, "Those Israelites just didn't get it, God has just delivered them and they are already complaining", and yet He has done the same for me.
Am I thankful for even the smallest of gifts? Am I following God's plan? Am I grumbling about His provision?
Much to consider.
In Genesis God gave Adam and Eve the command, and the example to work 6 days and then to rest on the 7th. God didn't need the rest, as we know rest, but He wanted to set the example of 1 day a week being set apart for Him. This is to be a day to remember who He is and what He has done for us.
In Exodus 16 God gives the command and Moses sets the example of resting on the 7th day. It is interesting that God provided for His people's needs in such a tangible way. It is also interesting to me that manna was provided for only a portion of the 6 days, when it got warm the manna melted, but on the 7th day God allowed the manna to last the entire 6th day and into the 7th day without melting.
Even though this is a narrative, God telling us a story as it happened, there is much to be learned from it.
1. God promises to provide for His people, even if that means just the next meal.
2. When God sets the rules, it is best to follow those rules. He can make worms grow in your "abundance".
3. God hears our grumbling, whether it is audible to others or not.
4. God expects us to be a thankful people. We have been given way more than we deserve, and if we complain we should be ashamed.
5. God has written these things down for us that we might remember His care and faithfulness for His children.
6. God is still faithful even when we are not.
It is good for us to be reminded of how ugly it is to be ungrateful for His provision. It is easy for me to read the OT accounts and think, "Those Israelites just didn't get it, God has just delivered them and they are already complaining", and yet He has done the same for me.
Am I thankful for even the smallest of gifts? Am I following God's plan? Am I grumbling about His provision?
Much to consider.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Fear Not, Good News!
The Birth of Jesus Christ
Luke 2:1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
As the Creator of the universe shows His power outside, bringing even more snow, I can't help but think how different Heaven and earth are. Jesus had been in Heaven, dwelling in perfection, and now He came to earth with His fallen creation. I really can't imagine perfection, but no sickness, no pain, no sin and death, perfect harmony within the Godhead, and then exchange that for earth as Jesus experienced it in human form.
How sad it must have been for Jesus to listen to people argue and fight, to watch them sin right in front of Him, to see the wickedness of the people He created and came to save, all the while they would only see a boy growing into a "normal" man.
Today is the day we celebrate Christ coming to earth, though we should celebrate it every day. He left the splendor of Heaven to come to earth, take on human form, with all its limitations, live a sinless life, in the midst of sinful people, took on my sin and bore the shame and disgrace of the cross, though He had no sin of His own, was buried and rose from the grave to conquer sin and death for me and you. Now He is with the Father, where He belongs, and He is preparing a place for those who love Him. Now that is Good News!
I can't imagine why He would go to those great lengths to win me, but He did. He came to earth to purchase my pardon, to pay the debt I owe, yet could never pay, and to have a relationship with His created ones. His steadfast love is our hope of salvation, our comfort in the storms of life and our hope of eternal joy.
Ps. 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Luke 2:1In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
"Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.
As the Creator of the universe shows His power outside, bringing even more snow, I can't help but think how different Heaven and earth are. Jesus had been in Heaven, dwelling in perfection, and now He came to earth with His fallen creation. I really can't imagine perfection, but no sickness, no pain, no sin and death, perfect harmony within the Godhead, and then exchange that for earth as Jesus experienced it in human form.
How sad it must have been for Jesus to listen to people argue and fight, to watch them sin right in front of Him, to see the wickedness of the people He created and came to save, all the while they would only see a boy growing into a "normal" man.
Today is the day we celebrate Christ coming to earth, though we should celebrate it every day. He left the splendor of Heaven to come to earth, take on human form, with all its limitations, live a sinless life, in the midst of sinful people, took on my sin and bore the shame and disgrace of the cross, though He had no sin of His own, was buried and rose from the grave to conquer sin and death for me and you. Now He is with the Father, where He belongs, and He is preparing a place for those who love Him. Now that is Good News!
I can't imagine why He would go to those great lengths to win me, but He did. He came to earth to purchase my pardon, to pay the debt I owe, yet could never pay, and to have a relationship with His created ones. His steadfast love is our hope of salvation, our comfort in the storms of life and our hope of eternal joy.
Ps. 33:13 The LORD looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20Our soul waits for the LORD;
he is our help and our shield.
21For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
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