A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 2
Even Now
Pandemic and Politics. If there were two words that defined 2020 for me, those would likely be it. I am not saying that some good things have not happened, of course they have. The Bible says that all things happen for good (Romans 8:28). God has a plan that is going to be fulfilled, but His plan is not for the prosperity of His people, it is for the holiness of His people.
Sometimes that can be difficult. Nevertheless, it is what Scripture teaches and what we are called to seek. Holiness… to be just a little more like Jesus. But when we get a caught up in cultural and other discussions that are not constructive or have a positive influence on our country, when we are threatened by the very things that are foundational to our freedom (such as the Constitution) it becomes very hard. I am seeing dividing lines in our country increase rather than decrease, dividing lines that are not only defined by skin color, but also by wealth, education, and religious beliefs. There seems to be less common ground that people share, and more divisiveness than ever before. All for the sake of self-preservation and individual wants, needs, or desires.
What does all that have to do with Advent? Quite a lot. We need to embrace the truths of Scripture in the context of reality. In Luke 2:1-5, the Bible says,
This is just an example of how our God orchestrates His will and regards his people. Think about this for a moment. God planned and told us (Micah 5) that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth at the time, during the majority of her pregnancy, but God convicted Caesar Augustus to have each individual registered in their own town, hence bringing Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem for the fulfillment of prophecy and birth of His Son. Wrap your mind around that for a moment. Our God is remarkable, capable, able and in control! Even now!
As we navigate the journey not only ahead of us nationally, but even on the road to Advent, know that your God is in control. If you are like me, there are times that you have felt insignificant, unworthy, incapable, overwhelmed, unable, distracted, and even depressed or stressed…but God always looks out for and protects his people. He is able. Able to do exceedingly, abundantly more by the power of the [Spirit] within us (Ephesians 3:20).
As we continue to through this very special season, do not think that because you are facing unusually difficult times, that the hand of God is not on you or able to help you. Perhaps He is just waiting on You to let Him? Please take a few minutes and give this season of your life specifically to Him. Ask God what it is He wants to do in and through You, and how you can take your relationship with Him to the next level… He gave us His all, will you give Him yours?
How is the Lord speaking to you now? At this very moment?
Pandemic and Politics. If there were two words that defined 2020 for me, those would likely be it. I am not saying that some good things have not happened, of course they have. The Bible says that all things happen for good (Romans 8:28). God has a plan that is going to be fulfilled, but His plan is not for the prosperity of His people, it is for the holiness of His people.
Sometimes that can be difficult. Nevertheless, it is what Scripture teaches and what we are called to seek. Holiness… to be just a little more like Jesus. But when we get a caught up in cultural and other discussions that are not constructive or have a positive influence on our country, when we are threatened by the very things that are foundational to our freedom (such as the Constitution) it becomes very hard. I am seeing dividing lines in our country increase rather than decrease, dividing lines that are not only defined by skin color, but also by wealth, education, and religious beliefs. There seems to be less common ground that people share, and more divisiveness than ever before. All for the sake of self-preservation and individual wants, needs, or desires.
What does all that have to do with Advent? Quite a lot. We need to embrace the truths of Scripture in the context of reality. In Luke 2:1-5, the Bible says,
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So, all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into 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 wife, who was with child.”
This is just an example of how our God orchestrates His will and regards his people. Think about this for a moment. God planned and told us (Micah 5) that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth at the time, during the majority of her pregnancy, but God convicted Caesar Augustus to have each individual registered in their own town, hence bringing Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem for the fulfillment of prophecy and birth of His Son. Wrap your mind around that for a moment. Our God is remarkable, capable, able and in control! Even now!
As we navigate the journey not only ahead of us nationally, but even on the road to Advent, know that your God is in control. If you are like me, there are times that you have felt insignificant, unworthy, incapable, overwhelmed, unable, distracted, and even depressed or stressed…but God always looks out for and protects his people. He is able. Able to do exceedingly, abundantly more by the power of the [Spirit] within us (Ephesians 3:20).
As we continue to through this very special season, do not think that because you are facing unusually difficult times, that the hand of God is not on you or able to help you. Perhaps He is just waiting on You to let Him? Please take a few minutes and give this season of your life specifically to Him. Ask God what it is He wants to do in and through You, and how you can take your relationship with Him to the next level… He gave us His all, will you give Him yours?
How is the Lord speaking to you now? At this very moment?
Recent
Archive
2021
January
2020
January
March
April
May
November
A Thrill of Hope - Week 1: Day 1A Thrill of Hope - Week 1: Day 2A Thrill of Hope - Week 1: Day 3A Thrill of Hope - Week 1: Day 4A Thrill of Hope - Week 1: Day 5A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 1A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 2A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 3A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 4A Thrill of Hope - Week 2: Day 5A Thrill of Hope - Week 3: Day 1
December
A Thrill of Hope - Week 3: Day 2A Thrill of Hope - Week 3: Day 3A Thrill of Hope - Week 3: Day 4A Thrill of Hope - Week 3: Day 5A Thrill of Hope - Week 4: Day 1A Thrill of Hope - Week 4: Day 2A Thrill of Hope - Week 4: Day 3A Thrill of Hope - Week 4: Day 4A Thrill of Hope - Week 4: Day 5A Thrill of Hope - Week 5: Day 1A Thrill of Hope - Week 5: Day 2A Thrill of Hope - Week 5: Day 3A Thrill of Hope - Week 5: Day 4A Thrill of Hope - Week 5: Day 5
No Comments