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For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

The world values those who are strongest, fastest, or wisest. There are entire books dedicated to documented records in various fields of endeavor. Those who win athletic or academic competitions are lauded as heroes. Yet God does not evaluate based on ability or talent. He is looking for something else. When God told Samuel that Jesse's oldest son was not the chosen king to replace Saul despite his impressive attributes, He explained it this way: “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God delights in taking people who are overlooked by the world and using them in great and mighty ways. This allows Him to display His power and receive glory. God does not need any talent or resource that we possess to make up for something He lacks. Instead, He places His power upon us to accomplish His purposes. As we remember that it is God who not only gives the assignments but allows and equips us to carry them out, we are reminded to give Him the praise and glory. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). Pride has no place in the life of a child of God—it's all about Him.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Avis B. Christensen didn't like the spotlight. Born and raised in Chicago, she attended the Moody Church while H. A. Ironside was the pastor. Her husband was a vice president at Moody Bible Institute. She had been writing poems since childhood, but as an adult she often used a pen name as she authored hundreds of beautiful hymns. One of the best known is “Where Sin Abounded, Grace Abounded More.”

Oh, precious is the promise God has given,
My heart with rapture sings it o’er and o’er;
O balm to souls by storm and tempest driven,
Where sin abounded, grace abounded more!

Where sin abounded, grace abounded more!
My ransomed soul repeats it o’er and o’er;
Though vile as I could be, In love He rescued me,
Where sin abounded, grace abounded more!

We are saved by grace alone, and the same grace of God that provides that salvation continues to be with us day after day as we follow Jesus. When we reach the point where we think we cannot go on, grace is there. When we are troubled and confused, grace is available to meet the need. Because of God's grace, we can face and overcome every obstacle and bear every burden. Paul wrote, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8). If we find ourselves downcast and despairing, it is not because there is no grace available to us, but because we have not humbly sought God to receive it.

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Philippians 1:12-14

Paul faced constant and unrelenting opposition to his gospel preaching. There was a group so outraged by his message that Jesus was the Messiah and Savior that they followed him from town to town. As soon as they learned where Paul was, they went there to try to shut down his ministry by any means possible. “But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people” (Acts 17:13). Paul suffered being beaten, being put in prison, and even being stoned. Yet he viewed those hardships as something God could use for the furtherance of the gospel. Paul didn't see obstacles as a sign that he was doing something wrong; he saw resistance as evidence that he was moving forward in the right direction.

Nothing comes into the life of a child of God by accident. God knows where we are and what we need in order to be effective in His service. Often the means that prepare us for that service are not ones we would prefer. Sometimes they are painful, but always they are purposeful. It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we are trying to do right God will remove all of the obstacles from our path, but in fact as we follow Him through the years He continues to prune away anything that would hinder our fruitfulness. Jesus told His disciples in the Upper Room, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.

1 Kings 17:13-15

The drought that God sent to chastise the nation of Israel for their idolatry under Ahab and Jezebel was not a small, localized event. It reached neighboring countries, including Sidon which was Jezebel's home country. Yet God sent Elijah into enemy territory to stay during the famine, and God instructed him to go to a widow's house and ask for lodging. The widow was in desperate poverty, preparing to cook the last of the food for herself and her son, knowing they were on the brink of starvation. Yet when the prophet of a foreign deity arrived at her door, she obeyed his instructions, trusting that his God would do what the prophet said. She was right, and it kept her and her son alive through the famine.

We have an entire Bible filled with the promises of God. Every one of them is certain and true and can be fully trusted. When we put God first ahead of everything else, we have every right to expect Him to respond, and He always will. Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Rather than spending our lives in pursuit of the things of this world, we must seek God first and obey Him. Every time we are faced with a choice, we must put His directives ahead of our opinion. When we do, He will provide just as He has promised.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 2:8-10

Shepherds were not popular people in ancient days. They were usually considered to be inferior by others in society. Often the smell of the sheep would permeate their clothing, and no one wanted to spend much time around them. This was true, not just in Israel, but in many Middle Eastern countries. When Jacob and his family moved to Egypt, Joseph warned them not to talk about sheep. “That ye shall say, Thy servants' trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians” (Genesis 46:34).

Yet it was to this despised group of people that the first announcement of the birth of the Messiah was made. Angels could easily have gone to Jerusalem to the palace or the Temple to herald the birth of the King. They could have entered the town of Bethlehem and gone to the city leaders to let them know Jesus had arrived. Instead, they went to the shepherds in the fields outside of town to deliver the good news. God's Christmas gift of His Son is not limited to those who are wealthy or well-connected or well thought of by others. It is for everyone. And God's plan is for us to take up the task of the angels and spread the good news to others. There is no group or nation or race or class of people who do not need salvation. The message we have been given to proclaim is for “all people.”

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

Isaiah 9:1-2

Philip Bliss demonstrated his musical talent at a young age, but because he had to work to help support his family and rarely was able to go to school, it was not until he was twenty-one that he began his musical training. Having been brought up in a Christian home, Bliss devoted most of his time to writing hymns. He was drafted to serve in the Civil War, but the war ended before he was called into action. After the war, he began working with D. L. Moody and Ira Sankey in their revivals. Bliss wrote both the words and music for many of the songs Sankey made popular. Just a year before his death in a train wreck at just thirty-eight years of age, Bliss wrote this hymn:

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus;
Like sunshine at noonday His glory shone in,
The Light of the world is Jesus.

Come to the Light, ‘tis shining for thee;
Sweetly the Light has dawned upon me,
Once I was blind, but now I can see:
The Light of the world is Jesus.

We live in a world filled with darkness because of sin. What our world needs most is not a better political system or a more equitable economic systems or an improved social structure. Our world needs the light that only Jesus can provide. “That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). He is the only hope and we must tell those around us about Him.

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Hebrews 2:16-18

When God confronted Adam and Eve after they ate the fruit of the tree He had forbidden, He revealed for the first time that there was a plan already in place for their salvation and for all who would come after them: “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15). This promise was fulfilled in Jesus. Satan bruised Jesus when He died on the cross. But Jesus crushed Satan.

When Jesus came to this Earth, He never ceased being fully God. But He took on a human nature to become the Savior of all those who believed in Him. Because He was human as well as Divine, Jesus can fully understand the sorrows and joys and temptations that we face. There is great comfort in His understanding of our condition. Many times when we are in a time of difficulty and try to talk with others about it, we leave feeling that they simply don't understand. Jesus does. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). There will surely be troubles and temptations in our lives, but in every one He is faithful to provide everything that we need to overcome and be victorious. There are no impossible situations for us to face if we tap in to the power He is willing and able to provide because He understands all that we face.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Matthew 16:13-16

Ever since the time of Christ, there have been heresies that deny His deity. One of these was promoted by Theodotus of Byzantium. He argued that Jesus did not exist prior to His birth in Bethlehem. In his view, Jesus did not have a divine nature but was a normal man who, after passing the test, was adopted by God as a son and given power to work miracles. The teaching of “adoptionism” directly contradicted Scripture's claims of the deity of Christ.

These teachings, however, didn't begin after Christ ascended to Heaven. Even while He was on Earth, there were many people who denied Christ's deity. Jesus did not meet their preconceived expectations for a political deliverer, so they rejected Him. “Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?” (John 7:41). Because Jesus did not conform to their ideas, they refused to believe His message.

Jesus is eternal and eternally God. He took on a human form when He was born in Bethlehem, but His divine nature did not change. This truth is emphasized throughout the Gospels. One such place is when Jesus asked His disciples what people were saying about who He was. Their answer showed a wide variety of opinions the public held, none of which revealed faith that Jesus was indeed the promised Savior. But when Peter declared that Jesus was both the Messiah and fully God, He was speaking the truth. Jesus responded, “And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 16:17). We must never lose sight of who Jesus is or allow the truth of His nature as both fully Divine and fully human to be obscured.

Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also. I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

2 Corinthians 8:7-9

It is impossible for our minds to grasp the fullness of the glory of Heaven that belonged to Jesus. The halls of that perfect place ring with His praises. “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;” (Revelation 5:9). All of the power and majesty of eternal perfection were His. Yet Jesus willingly laid all that aside, giving up what was rightfully His for our sake. The measure of His love for us is seen both in what He gave for our salvation—His very life, and in what He gave up—His glory.

The Christian life is a life of sacrifice and service to others. We cannot be like Jesus unless we are willing to pay that price. Jesus said, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:38-39). The point of our lives is not our own comfort, pleasure or prominence. The point of our lives is to share the grace and the good news we have been given with others. Our willingness to give up what we could claim as our own demonstrates that we are truly living like Jesus and following in His footsteps.

Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.

Daniel 9:25-26

While Daniel was in Babylon, he was given clear revelation from God of the future and prophetic pictures of things yet to occur. He was given a vision of the great world empires that would rise one after another. He was given a vision of the end of days and what would happen when God came to rule over the whole world. And he was given a very specific timetable for the arrival of the Messiah. It would be after Cyrus (who was then still years in the future) issued his decree regarding Jerusalem. “Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of heaven given me; and he hath charged me to build him an house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up” (2 Chronicles 36:23).

God knows not only what is happening now, but what is coming next. He has laid out faithful promises and prophecies. Those prophecies which have not yet been fulfilled are just as certain and sure as the ones that have. We can fully trust and rely on all that He says, for it will happen. The prophecies that were fulfilled through the coming of Christ in Bethlehem are a wonderful reminder that God is faithful. Every one of God's already-fulfilled prophesies confirm that He will keep His promises and fulfill every prophesy not yet completed. In Isaiah 46:11, God says, “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Micah 5:2-4

Jesus was born at a time when Israel was an unwilling part of the Roman Empire. The Jewish people knew that a Messiah had been promised. For the most part, the Jews were looking for Messiah who would lead a military revolt to restore Israel's independence. Others had made accommodations with their conquerors to become part of the power structure. The last thing they wanted to do was to rock the boat.

All of the Jews knew where Jesus would be born, according to the prophecy in Micah 5:2. We know this, because when Herod asked, they replied without hesitation. “And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet” (Matthew 2:5). But even though they knew the truth, they had no interest in going to Bethlehem themselves to see Jesus. There was a gap between their knowledge and actions. 

Too many Christians live as if knowing the truth is enough. Like the Israelites at the time of Jesus' birth, they may know what is right and what they should do, but they do not because it would interfere with their plans or force them to give up something they treasured. A Christian who seeks God will not be content with knowledge alone, but will earnestly follow after Christ in faith-filled obedience. Jesus asked, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).

And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Numbers 24:15-17

When Balak, king of the Moabites, saw the vast numbers of Israelites heading for the Promised Land under the leadership of Moses, he was afraid that they would fight against him. He either did not know the instruction God had given, or did not believe the Israelites would follow it, because they had been specifically commanded to pass by without battle. “And the LORD said unto me, Distress not the Moabites, neither contend with them in battle: for I will not give thee of their land for a possession; because I have given Ar unto the children of Lot for a possession” (Deuteronomy 2:9). So Balak persuaded a prophet named Balaam to come because he wanted a curse placed upon Israel. Instead Balaam blessed Israel repeatedly, and, in the verses above, gave one of the clearest prophecies of the coming Messiah.

Jesus is the star that rose out of Jacob. And it is not a coincidence that His birth was announced with the appearance of a star in the sky. “Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2). This was just another confirmation that Jesus was truly the promised Messiah, fulfilling the ancient prophecies of His coming. Jesus used that image of a bright light in darkness speaking of Himself. “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Acts 4:25-28

When Mary laid Jesus in the manger in Bethlehem, she was the first mother in all of human history to give birth to a child without a sin nature. Babies have been being born into the world ever since Cain. But every one of those children, including me, was born with a sin nature. David put it this way: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). We are not born good or innocent only to later go astray. We are born with a nature that is bent toward sin. We sin because we are sinners. We sin because sin is attractive to us. We sin because we have a sinful nature. Jesus did not.

From the moment Jesus took on humanity through His conception, Jesus was completely and perfectly sinless and holy. Jesus has been God from eternity past and has always been holy. Holiness is such a central part of God's nature and character that He has it proclaimed around His throne continually. Revelation 4:8 says “And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.” When Jesus came to Earth, He did not set aside His deity, but He took on humanity. He lived a perfect life as a man. He fulfilled all that God's law required. He kept all of God's commandments. The holiness of Jesus was essential because without living a sinless life Himself He could never pay the price for the sins of others. Only an innocent sacrifice could atone for sin, and Jesus was perfect.

And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast. These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

Revelation 17:12-14

When he came into the world as a baby, Jesus was the furthest thing imaginable to the worldly mind from a conquering king. His life and ministry were not focused on political power, despite the pressures of those who fervently wished for Him to overthrow the Romans and establish Israel as a powerful kingdom again. That simply was not His purpose. He made that clear to Pilate during His trial. “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence” (John 18:36).

There is coming a day, however, when Jesus will return in a very different fashion. The world will still not accept Him even when He comes in power and glory. They will still not want to bow down before Him and recognize Him as Lord. All those who stand against Him will be destroyed. “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 19:15).

The baby in Bethlehem is, was, and will be the King. The Lord who returns on a white horse for battle is, was, and will be the King. He is the King over all kings and Lord over all lords. He alone is worthy of our praise and glory and devoted obedience.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

Matthew 2:16-18

Herod liked to be referred to as “Herod the Great,” but that was an opinion shared by almost no one else. He was a paranoid bloodthirsty tyrant. Herod constantly feared that someone would try to take away his kingdom, and was willing to go to any lengths to hold on to power, even killing several members of his own family. The ancient Roman historian Macrobius wrote, “When it was heard that, as part of the slaughter of boys up to two years old, Herod, king of the Jews, had ordered his own son to be killed, he [the Emperor Augustus] remarked, ‘It is better to be Herod's pig than his son.’” It is not surprising that such a man would reject the news of the birth of Jesus so violently.

People have all sorts of reasons they give for rejecting Jesus, but ultimately it boils down to the question of who will be in control. Like Herod, many people do not want to accept anyone but themselves on the throne of their lives. But surrender to God is non-negotiable. Every person ever born will one day bow before Him. “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear” (Isaiah 45:23). The wise men told Herod the truth, and he refused to believe it. Not all those with whom we share the good news will accept Jesus, but we must still tell everyone we can.

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Matthew 1:21-23

Queen Victoria was still on the throne when her great-grandson Albert “Bertie” was born. Though he was a member of the royal family, he was not expected to become king. But when his older brother renounced the throne, Bertie became King George VI in 1936. When World War II began, Germany launched a massive bombing campaign against England. Many people evacuated the cities because of the Blitz, but the king and his wife remained in London. After one raid the London newspapers featured a photo of George VI visiting a bombed out part of the city. They reported that an elderly man recognized the king, and picking his way through the rubble and tangled debris approached him. “You’re here?” he choked with tear-filled eyes. “You…in the midst of this. You are a good king.”

The scope and depth of God's love for us is nowhere more clearly on display than in the coming of Jesus into the world. John wrote, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him” (1 John 4:9). More than anything else, the Christmas story is a love story. Jesus came to this world, giving up the glory of Heaven and the honor that was rightly His—not because He was compelled to do so, but because He loved us. The world is filled with people looking for love in all sorts of ways that lead only to heartache. But what every person needs most is found in the love of God, shown when He sent His Son into the world to save us.

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luke 1:28-31

God did not randomly pick the young woman who would be the mother of Jesus. He selected a pure and devoted girl named Mary for that high privilege and responsibility. Mary had great faith. When she received impossible news that would completely upend (and even threaten) her life, she responded without hesitation, accepting God's assignment. “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her” (Luke 1:38). Though we are not given the details of what happened, there is no doubt that she was the target of gossip and rumors regarding her pregnancy. We know that Joseph considered ending their betrothal until he was visited by the angel of the Lord in a dream. Yet throughout this process, Mary trusted in God.

However, although Mary was a special woman of faith, she was just as much in need of salvation as anyone else. She was not perfect or born without sin. In fact, she declared that need before her cousin Elisabeth in her beautiful song of praise to God. “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour” (Luke 1:46-47). None of us are perfectly holy, and all of us need what Jesus came to provide. The Christmas story is a powerful antidote to the pride that so often invades our hearts. We need Jesus. There is nothing we can do except trust Him fully if we want to receive His free gift of salvation.

Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Galatians 4:3-6

The first public revelation that Jesus was the Messiah was given by John the Baptist. “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Jesus did not make the trip of some sixty miles on foot merely to greet His cousin. He came to John specifically to be baptized. John was preaching "the baptism of repentance" (Acts 19:4). Jesus, of course, had done nothing wrong for which He needed to repent. In fact, John protested against baptizing Jesus, pointing out correctly that it would be more fitting for Jesus to baptize John than the other way around. But Jesus was setting a pattern and example for those who came after to follow. “And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him” (Matthew 3:15).

Jesus was fully God, yet He did not consider Himself to be above the law. He fully kept all the commandments God had given, though He was not bound by the traditions that the Pharisees and scribes had added on top of the law. Despite His divine nature, Jesus was obedient—to His parents as He grew and to the law of God as well. The only way we could be adopted into God's family was for Christ's perfect righteousness to be applied to our account. He did not do things because they were easy, or financially rewarding or enjoyable, but because they were right. “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him” (John 8:29).

Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

Leviticus 12:7-8

Joseph and Mary were observant and obedient to the law of Moses. At a time when many in Israel had adopted the lax ethics and morals of the nations who had conquered the land over centuries, this couple remained pure during their betrothal. They were not sinless, but they were committed to following God. They believed His promises and obeyed His commands. When it was time for them to take Jesus to the Temple for His dedication according to the law, they brought the offering according to Moses' instructions to the poor. Unable to afford a lamb, they brought birds, presumably ones they could catch without spending money.

We know that Jesus gave up a great deal when He came down from Heaven, but sometimes we forget how extremely poor His earthly parents were. He could have come to a wealthy family and enjoyed the best this world had to offer. Instead He lived in a backwater village without any luxuries. This willingness to do without is the measure of His great love for us. Paul wrote, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The pattern Jesus set for us is clear. For us to be truly like Him, we have to be willing to set aside our own wants and priorities in exchange for what God has called us to do. There are times when obedience may require a significant sacrifice, but it will always be worth making.

And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

2 Samuel 7:11-13

Of all the kings of Israel, David was the one most devoted to following God. Though he was not perfect, he had great faith and a belief that the God who had taken him from a despised shepherd to the throne would keep His promises. David acted according to what God said, which is what a faithful life is—obedience to God regardless of circumstances or the opinions of others. As a result of his dedication, God made promises to David regarding the future of the kingdom. The kingdom was divided after the death of Solomon because he did not follow in his father's footsteps. Although the northern kingdom had many dynasties, some of them short-lived, all of the kings of Judah were descendants of David.

But when God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Judah the kingdom was interrupted. Were God's promises broken? No, because God's promises can never be broken. The Davidic Covenant of an unending kingdom will be fulfilled through Christ during His Millennial Reign. When the angel Gabriel made his announcement to Mary about the birth of Jesus, he said, “And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:33). That promise was not fulfilled during Jesus' life on earth. The people rejected Him. “But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar” (John 19:15). But this kingdom will happen when Jesus comes again.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

The Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of Christ were given over hundreds of years. They were specific, and over three hundred were fulfilled—down to the last detail—at Christ's first comingl. The promises of God are always certain and sure. In addition to foretelling the time and place of His arrival, many of the ancient prophets gave names and titles to the coming Messiah that described aspects of His character and purpose. Billy Sunday said, “There are two hundred and fifty-six names given in the Bible for the Lord Jesus Christ, and I suppose this was because He was infinitely beyond all that any one name could express.”

We can take refuge in the faithful nature of our God as revealed in His fulfilled promises and in His names. Solomon wrote, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). God's purpose and plan for our salvation was established even before the creation of the world. He faithfully worked to bring to pass all that He had said. Whatever name or title we use when referring to Jesus is a reminder of all that He is, all that He did, and all that He has told us is yet to come. “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18).

And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,

Luke 2:25-27

Thousands of years passed between the time God told Adam and Eve about the coming Savior (Genesis 3:15) and the arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem. Through the centuries, Jewish people looked eagerly for the arrival of the Messiah. Their anticipation was heightened by the prophecies of Daniel, and their desire for deliverance was increased by the domination of the Roman Empire over the land. In that time of waiting, one man, Simeon, was given a special message from God that the Messiah would indeed arrive before his life ended. We are not told how long it was between that message and the day Simeon saw Jesus in the Temple, but through all of that time he waited patiently for God's promise to be fulfilled.

Most of us remember how hard it was to wait for Christmas when we were children. Putting up the tree, decorating the house, shopping for gifts, and baking special things were fun, but it seemed to take a very long time until Christmas finally arrived. In a similar way, we sometimes today have to wait a long time until we see the fulfillment of God's promises. 

God's timing is not our timing, and we have to be willing to be patient until He moves. We can trust that when the time is right, He will work just as He has promised. G. Campbell Morgan said, “Waiting for God is not laziness. Waiting for God is not going to sleep. Waiting for God is not the abandonment of effort. Waiting for God means, first, activity under command; second, readiness for any new command that may come; third, the ability to do nothing until the command is given.”

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

John 18:36-37

For almost sixty years now A Charlie Brown Christmas has been part of the celebration of the holiday, and watching this animated TV special annually is a tradition that many families have enjoyed for several generations. The program was produced in a rush, and when TV executives saw the finished product they hated it. They were convinced it would be a flop unless the portion where Linus quotes the Christmas story from Luke 2 were removed, but Charles Schulz insisted that it remain. It did, and the rest is history. Years later Robert Lloyd of the Los Angeles Times wrote, “Even an old atheist like me must admit that Linus’ Gospels-based ‘meaning of Christmas’ speech strikes the right note at the right time.”

The commercialism and chaos that often fills this time of year is not the point of Christmas. The lights and trees and meals and parties are not the point of Christmas. Jesus came into the world for a reason, and He committed His entire life to that purpose, paying the high cost of our salvation. Anything that we allow to detract from the remembrance of why Jesus came takes away from Christmas instead of adding to it. This is a time to remember Who Jesus is and what He offers to do for us. He could have had political power. He deserved it and could have taken it with a single word, but He did not. We must keep Jesus at the very center of everything we do this holiday season.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:14-17

Christmas has been celebrated for centuries. Over the years many traditions have grown and been added to the holiday. There have been controversies over whether and how Christmas should be marked. In 1659, the Massachusetts Bay Colony passed a law called Penalty for Keeping Christmas. The Puritans viewed observing Christmas as dishonoring God. Anyone who took the day off or celebrated in a public way with a feast was to be fined five shillings. Charles Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge famously declared, “If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”

But Christmas is worthy of celebrating as long as we keep Jesus at the center of all we do and focus on celebrating His coming to Earth. Christ's birth in Bethlehem was the amazing expression of God's love for us and His grace to come to be our Savior. Corrie ten Boom wrote, “Who can add to Christmas? The perfect motive is that God so loved the world. The perfect gift is that He gave His only Son. The only requirement is to believe in Him. The reward of faith is that you shall have everlasting life.” Christmas reminds us that we needed a Savior. Christmas reminds us that those around us also need a Savior. Christmas reminds us to be grateful for all God has done. Christmas reminds us to share the good news with others. Above all else, Christmas is a time to step back from the busyness of the world and focus on the arrival of Jesus and His purpose in coming into the world.

Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

Malachi 3:1-2

The people of Israel were longing and hoping and praying for the arrival of the Messiah at the time Jesus was born. They knew the ancient prophecies foretold His coming, but what most of them were looking for was not a Savior from sin but a political leader to free them from Rome. They regarded their physical condition as being far more a priority than their spiritual condition. Thus when John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah as Malachi had foretold, the leadership of the country had no interest in hearing him. Jesus said, “But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them” (Matthew 17:12).

They had no interest in accepting Jesus as the Messiah either. He was exactly the promised One they wanted to come, but when He appeared, they rejected Him. This is sometimes the way it is for people today as well. Some want God in their life because they want His blessings, but they don't see their need for Him as their Savior from sin. Jesus offers salvation freely to all who believe on Him, but there is no other means to receive it. There are no alternative plans or options. Those who refuse to receive Him remain lost apart from Him, not because He would not save them, but because they will not accept His offer. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37).

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:1-5

The most popular Christmas song in the world is “Silent Night.” It has been recorded in more than three hundred languages in tens of thousands of versions. The song came about when the church organ in Salzburg, Germany, broke down before the Christmas Eve service in 1818. Joseph Mohr took a poem he had written to Franz Gruber and asked him to write a tune that could be played on the guitar to go with the words. The rest is history.

Silent night, holy night,
All is calm, all is bright
'Round yon virgin
Mother and child.
Holy infant, so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Yet despite the beauty of those old familiar words, the night when Jesus was born was anything but silent and peaceful. The birth of a baby is not quiet, and a stable is not a calm place. Bethlehem was filled beyond capacity that night for the census. Shepherds came and went from the stable. Yet that night was the arrival of the Prince of Peace, and His peace does not depend on circumstances. He is the source of peace that is beyond human understanding, and remains with us throughout our lives.

The night before the crucifixion Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). Jesus is our peace in every storm and trial of life. He is always faithful, and we can always rest in Him.

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Luke 1:35-37

Nothing about the Christmas story can be explained apart from the power of God. Many people reject the truth of the virgin birth and the coming of the Savior because it is not humanly possible. Yet the impossibility of Christmas is the point. It is a strong and clear message that our only hope is in God. He is the source to which we must turn for our salvation. Salvation has nothing to do with our worth or efforts, but is all about Him. David wrote, “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved” (Psalm 62:1-2).

The miracles of the Christmas story and the fulfillment in every detail of prophecies written centuries before are a reminder of God's complete authority and power over our world. No one expected the elderly Elisabeth to have a child, but John the Baptist was a necessary part of God's plan. No one expected an unmarried virgin to have a child, but Jesus had to be born that way, so it happened even though it was impossible. Nothing God promises ever fails, and He is willing and able to do whatever is necessary to bring His purpose to pass. The faith displayed by the participants in the Christmas story—Mary, Joseph, Zacharias, Elisabeth, the shepherds and the wise men—is an example for us to follow. No matter how unlikely what they were told seemed to be, they walked in faith and obedience in God's plan.

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

1 Timothy 3:15-16

There are many facets to the life and ministry of Jesus and His arrival in the world as both fully God and fully man. One of those was to make God's nature and character something that we could see. Throughout history people in different cultures and countries routinely created idols and images to represent the gods and goddesses they worshiped. God forbade that to His people. Instead of a statue He sent His Son to show what He is like.

The ancient Wexford Carol begins with these words:

Good people all, this Christmas time,
Consider well and bear in mind,
What our good God for us has done,
In sending His beloved Son.

Though God is infinite and beyond our ability to fully understand, we do need a way to grasp His nature and character. The life of Jesus Christ here in this world shows that to us, not in academic terms, but in real life example. In the Upper Room Philip asked to be shown the Father. “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?” (John 14:9).

In the life and example of Jesus we see both the glory and love of God, and a pattern for us to follow so that we will become more like Him. Everything Jesus did brought honor and glory to His Father, and our lives are to do the same. Paul wrote, “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 40:9-11

Almost all of the various deities worshiped by cultures around the world were cruel and capricious. The ancient stories and legends were filled with tales of gods who treated people unfairly, placed them in impossible positions, and demanded acts of service and sacrifice to earn their favor. The true God of Israel was different. Though He is perfect and holy, He is also loving and gracious. Rather than demanding a sacrifice from us, He sent His own Son to be the sacrifice, paying the debt of sin that we could never pay.

One of the most powerful illustrations of the Lord depicts Him as a shepherd. It is an expression Jesus used of Himself. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). A shepherd devoted his life to the sheep in his care. He spent every day with them. He would often sleep in the field with the sheep. He drove away predators. He led them to places where it was safe to eat. He treated their illnesses and cured their diseases. Jesus could rule over us with harshness, but instead He leads with love. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29).

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

Nehemiah 4:7-9

The job that Nehemiah took on of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was vital to the safety and future of the people. A city without walls had no means of defending itself from even minor attacks. So Nehemiah left his high position in the palace of the Persian Empire and made his way back to Jerusalem to take on the task. Not everyone was pleased at his arrival. “When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel” (Nehemiah 2:10). These men tried everything they could to hinder the work.

When Nehemiah was informed that his enemies planned an attack, he responded in a way that is a great example for us. As the old saying goes, “Pray like it all depends on God and work like it all depends on you.” Nehemiah sought for God's help, but he also set up a guard schedule and posted sentries to look out for danger.

Faith does not mean that we lay down any responsibility and put forth no effort. Faith is not passive but active, and it is seen far more in what we do than in what we say. James wrote, “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Just as Peter showed his faith in Jesus by getting out of the boat in the storm, we must be willing to step out and do whatever He says.

For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

1 Kings 17:14-16

The discovery of gold in 1859 quickly gave birth to the boom town of Nevadaville in what is now the state of Colorado. Miners rushed in when they heard of the new claims being staked. By 1880 more than 1,000 people called Nevadaville home. But the gold was eventually mined out, and today there are two residents. The town is basically abandoned. Visitors can drive past the crumbling buildings, but are strictly warned against walked near the old mine sites as the ground is prone to collapse because of the many tunnels that were dug in search of gold. What had once been a bustling community became a ghost town when the thing people depended on dried up.

Those who trust in God to provide for them never experience that. He never runs out. In fact His supply is so infinite that it never decreases even a tiny amount, no matter how many of His children call on Him and how great their needs are. He is always sufficient and always faithful to keep His promises and provide for us. When we reach the point of emptiness and exhaustion, He is there with new strength and provision for those who trust in Him. “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). If we are faithful to go to Him for help we will never find that He is unable to supply.

And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Matthew 21:20-22

The disciples spent nearly every day with Jesus for more than three years. They heard Him teach, listened to Him pray, watched Him perform miracle after miracle, and got to ask Him questions. Yet after all that personal instruction, when they came to Jerusalem with Jesus for the final time before the crucifixion, something happened that revealed they still had much to learn. As they made their way into the city Jesus was hungry, though the fig tree He passed had leaves on it, there was no fruit. When Jesus announced that the tree would never bear fruit again, the disciples heard it. But when the tree withered and died, they were astonished that what Jesus declared had come to pass.

Everything God says is completely true and trustworthy, and we should never be surprised when God does what He has said we will do. Most of us know the feeling of being surprised by an answer to prayer—something we asked God for, but did not fully expect Him to actually do. That is not the right response, for it reveals a lack of faith in God. He is not limited by any of the things that present obstacles to us. No matter how impossible a situation may seem, God is able to change things in an instant. Our job is to believe what He has said and act upon it. We are not honoring Him properly if we are not living in expectation that He will fulfill His Word. “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10:38).

Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Galatians 4:12-15

It is a quite natural human tendency to resent the person who tells us something we do not want to hear. The modern expression “Don't shoot the messenger” conveys the idea, but it is actually an ancient saying. The concept can be traced back to at least more than four hundred years before the birth of Christ. In his play Antigone, the Greek writer Sophocles penned, “No one loves the messenger who brings bad news.” Shakespeare picked up the idea as well in Antony and Cleopatra. When the Egyptian queen threatened the man who brought news that Antony had married someone else he replied, “Gracious madam, I that do bring the news made not the match.”

The same response is often seen in the Christian world as well. Someone who faithfully declares the truth is not as likely to be popular as someone who tells people what they want to hear. Paul faced this problem, especially with the Galatian churches, and he had to remind them that they had received his message, not because he was so persuasive, but because he told them what God said. In response to those who resented his message Paul asked, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16). The person who tells you the truth is not being unkind. The tendency to blame them for saying something is wrong and should be rejected. We should be thankful they care enough to speak up.

Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.

Job 23:8-11

I read the description a man gave of visiting a zoo to watch a giraffe giving birth. He was quite surprised to see that the giraffe did not lie down. From nearly ten feet off the ground, the mother dropped the calf out. After it lay on the ground for a minute the mother kicked it, sending it sprawling. When asked why that had happened the zoo keeper said, “She wants it to get up.” Any time the baby stopped trying to get up, the mother would prod it again. When the calf finally wobbled its way to its feet, the mother knocked it down again. “She wants it to remember how to get up," the zoo keeper said. “In the wild if it didn't quickly follow the herd, predators would pick it off.”

Sometimes the trials and testings that God brings into our lives seem to be harsh and unfair. Sometimes it may feel like we are getting kicked instead of comforted. But in every circumstance and situation, God is faithful. He knows what we most need to learn and how best to teach us. Even as gold is heated to nearly two thousand degrees in order to remove impurities, sometimes God's plan is for us to go through the furnace. But through all the trials and lessons, He is there at work. God never abandons or forsakes us. God often does things we can not understand in the moment. Some things we may never fully see until we reach Heaven. But He is always faithful and we can always trust Him.

Ye are blessed of the LORD which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men. The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence. But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.

Psalm 115:15-18

Every new year is a reminder that we are here for a reason. God did not place us here by accident, and He does not leave us here simply because of inertia. God has a purpose and a plan for us, and every day should be focused on living for Him. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). We are saved by grace, not just to be taken to Heaven, but to be active in serving God while we are here. We are called and commanded to be active in His work, doing things that honor Him and point others to Him.

One of the sometimes overlooked ways in which we can bring glory to God is by rejoicing openly in what He has done for us. Rather than complaining or murmuring, as so many of us are prone to do, we should be humbly rejoicing in His goodness and grace, giving us far more than we deserve. As we praise the Lord, others are pointed to Him! “When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them” (Psalm 126:1-2). Though we will praise God eternally in Heaven, the impact on others only comes from praises we offer now.

Isaac Watts wrote:

I'll praise my Maker while I've breath
And when my voice is lost in death,
Praise shall employ my nobler power;
My days of praise shall ne'er be past,
While life, and thought, and being last,
Or immortality endures.

And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

John 9:1-5

Imagine what it would be like to have never been able to see. For all of your life you would be dependent on someone else to help make sure that you could get where you needed to go. You would have no ability to choose your path. This is the state of the world apart from God—blind in sin. Paul wrote, “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Jesus came as the Light of the World. Just as He healed a number of people who were physically blind, making it possible for them to see, He offers the light of salvation as the cure for spiritual blindness to all who believe in Him as Saviour. Yet those of us who have come to the Light must never forget what we have been given. Peter warns us: “But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins” (2 Peter 1:9). God offers us guidance and direction for life, but if we are not careful, we can lose sight of the changes He has made and the path in which He desires for us to walk.

Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

John 4:33-36

One of the greatly effective tools of the devil is to encourage us to delay in our work for God. Sometimes, rather than directly trying to get us to do evil, he just gives us reasons to put off the doing of good until later. But the time to act is now. The great Scottish pastor and missionary pioneer Robert Moffatt said, “We'll have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset to win them.”

The fields of the world are white right now. We do not need to wait until some point in the future to start sharing the gospel with others. We do not need to wonder if we should act now to help a widow with young children or an elderly couple in the church. We do not need to find a perfect moment to say a kind word or share a prayer of encouragement. All of those things are always “in season,” and we should not miss the chance to do them.

The temptation to wait for a better time will cause us to miss what is right in front of us if we give in to it. There are people you can help today, people to whom you can witness, people with whom you can pray. Do those things today. None of us knows what the future holds.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 3:19-21

The world around us is filled with people who are living in sin. Sometimes that sin is open and obvious. Other times it is hidden from public view. In either case, that sin is there for a reason, and the reason is that people like it that way. Because of the fallen nature of every man and woman who is born into this world, we have an appetite and desire for sin. Given the choice, people will choose the darkness of sin over the light of the truth, rather than having to confront the reality of sin and the penalty for sin—and even more to avoid having to change.

So often we hear the idea that if people knew better they would do better. This leads to the notion that we can educate people to perfection. But the problem is not a lack of knowledge, but a lack of desire for what is good. Peter described this characteristic well: “For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water” (2 Peter 3:5). Often times, people simply don't want to know the truth. When that is the case, all the education in the world won't change that.

The opening of our eyes at salvation gives us a different perspective. Paul wrote, “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16

I spent several years on the mission field in Korea while I was growing up. It was a unique experience, and I'm glad I was there for those years. The country has been divided for more than seventy years now, and there are many stark differences between North Korea and South Korea. Some time ago, I saw a photo of the Korean peninsula that was taken at night and highlighted the divide. In South Korea, the cities and towns are aglow with lights; while in North Korea, it is almost all darkness. There is little economic growth or development in the Communist nation. By contrast, it's hard to find a place in the free country where there aren't lights. In a photo taken in the darkness, those lights are impossible to hide.

God has called His children to be lights in the darkness of the world around us. We don't need anyone to remind us of how dark and hopeless things are because we see it every day. Rather than being discouraged by that darkness, we should be inspired to make our lives count for God. Speaking of John the Baptist, Jesus said, “He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light” (John 5:35). The reality is that everyone around us should easily be able to see that we are children of God. This is best done not through our speaking, though we should speak the truth, but through our daily living.

But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Luke 4:25-27

Because we live in a sinful fallen world, we experience times of hardship and difficulty. There are times when the money runs out before the end of the month, or the doctor calls with a bad diagnosis, or the company goes out of business. There may be pandemics or waves of sickness that sweep across the country or the world. There may be trouble in a marriage or other family relationships. In addition to the normal problems of the world, as Christians we have an active enemy dedicated to our destruction. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Yet in spite of all that potential trouble, we are never abandoned or alone. It does not matter where we are, God is there. It does not matter how distressing the problem is, God is able. It does not matter how impossible the solution may seem, God is at work. Our task is to turn to Him in faith rather than allowing fear and worry to dominate our lives. When God gets involved everything changes. No problem we face is too much for Him to handle. Trouble in our lives is not a sign that God has forgotten us. It may be as a result of His chastening, and if so, we should confess and forsake our sins. But even in that case it is a mark of His love for us. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:6). In every trouble, we can know with certainty that we have a heavenly Father Who loves us and is able to see us through. 

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:1-3

John was one of the first men Jesus called to follow Him and become His disciple. Many years later looking back on that time in his life, John recalled the immense privilege he had been given to see and hear Christ in person. The recipients of the epistle of 1 John would not have had that opportunity, but John shared with them what it was like to have a personal relationship with the Lord and encouraged them to seek that same kind of fellowship.

Though we do not get to physically see Jesus, we can read about Him in the Bible. And as children of God we have been given the Holy Spirit to instruct us and lead us into a deeper relationship with the Lord. Jesus said, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come” (John 16:13). The closeness and depth of our fellowship with God and our success in following in the footsteps of Jesus rests on the presence of the Holy Spirit and our time spent in the Word of God. Daniel Whittle wrote:

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

But I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

1 Peter 1:3-5

In March of 2022, a wealthy couple from the Philippines filed a lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase. The couple had fallen behind on the payments for their safe deposit boxes in New York, and as a result, the bank had eventually drilled the boxes open and sold the contents—a number of very valuable pieces of jewelry. Once they discovered they were late on their payments (the notices were apparently sent to the wrong address) the couple paid their fees and were assured the contents would be safe. But the bank had already auctioned the jewelry off. The suit is winding its way through the legal system, and the result will undoubtedly impact the way people view the security offered by a safe deposit box.

The idea of giving something to someone else for safekeeping is ancient, and it is based on the trustworthiness of the person or institution. We would never hand something precious to a stranger we just met on the street. The security of what we trust to someone else is dependent on their nature and character. When it comes to the most precious thing that we have, our salvation there is no earthly security system we could trust. But the same God Who does all the work of saving also does all the work of keeping us saved, and we need never fear losing our salvation. Paul wrote, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).

Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Matthew 20:20-22

Elisabeth Elliot buried her first husband after he was killed trying to reach a new group of people with the gospel in Ecuador. She buried her second husband after he died of cancer. She knew a level of pain and disappointment that most of us do not. She wrote, “Whatever is in the cup that God is offering to me, whether it be pain and sorrow and suffering and grief along with the many more joys, I’m willing to take it because I trust Him. Because I know that what God wants for me is the very best. It is never for nothing. And so I say Lord, in Jesus’ name, by Your grace I accept it.”

None of us know what the future holds. We may be tempted to think that we are ready, but sometimes what comes is far more than we expected. When James and John responded to the question of Jesus, they professed their ability to go through whatever trial came their way. The problem is they were self-confident rather than being reliant on God to empower them for what was to come. If we are not relying on and trusting in Him, we will surely fail the test. If we turn to Him for help, He is always faithful to provide it. David wrote, “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul” (Psalm 138:3).

I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.

Psalm 31:11-14

The years David spent running from Saul's attempts to kill him left an indelible mark on his life. One of the most remarkable things about David's story is that he refused to fight back against Saul. In fact, David twice spared the life of the man whose chief goal was to see him executed. He was betrayed by people he had helped. He was eventually forced to leave the country, and for a time lived among Israel's bitterest enemies, the Philistines. God did not give David an easy life. But through all of those trials and afflictions, David recognized that God was still with Him, and that he could fully rely on God.

The devil loves to tell us that God has forgotten us, or that He does not love us when things go badly. That is never true. Often God does not work when or how we expect, but He never forsakes us. In every circumstance God is there, in love and mercy, working in our lives to bring about what is best. He is always with us. “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:13-14). Our faith is not based on things going well or life being easy. It is based on the character and promises of the eternal God who never leaves us alone. There is never a time when trust in God is not the right response.

And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Mark 4:36-38

From the start, the disciples knew that Jesus was not just another teacher or prophet. Yet even after seeing Him work miracle after miracle and hearing Him teach about the power of God, they did not fully grasp the extent of His abilities. So when they found themselves caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, they were terrified. Now several of them had been professional fishermen. They knew the difference between a regular storm and a deadly threat. Their fear was not made up or imaginary—the storm was real and it was threatening to sink the boat and drown them. Their biggest problem was not the storm, but that they had allowed the storm to make them doubt whether Jesus actually cared about them or not.

Sometimes it may seem to us that God is sleeping through the storms we are enduring. When we do not see Him working we are tempted to doubt His love and care for us. Many years later, one of those disciples who was on the boat that day in a state of frantic worry would write, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). God cares about us far beyond what we are capable of even imagining. There is never a moment when He is not fully aware of every storm and trial and challenge in our lives. There is never a moment when He does not care what is happening to us. And in the middle of every storm, we can find help if we turn to Him.

And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi. And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.

Exodus 2:1-3

At the time Moses was born, Pharaoh who was alarmed by the growing population of the Israelites had issued an evil decree that all male Hebrew children be killed. Instead of obeying that edict, Moses' parents kept Moses alive and hid him as long as they could. Hebrews 11:23 tells us, “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment." When his parents could no longer hide Moses with them, they placed him in a little boat and put it by the river's edge. His parents did not know what was going to happen, but they did all they could and then trusted God for the rest.

Many times we think we know how things will turn out only to find that nothing happened the way we expected. Sometimes we may feel that our situation is impossible. But that is never true if God is involved. He is able to place a Hebrew child in the palace of Egypt and have him be raised as the grandson of Pharaoh. He is able to have that child's own mother paid to nurse him and train him. He is able to prepare that child to lead an entire nation. Nothing that we face poses a challenge to God. Our task is not to figure everything out, but to do what we know and trust God for the rest. Faith does not have to see the path—it simply looks to God.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:5-7

It's easy to look around and see that there are a lot of things wrong in our world. But that is not new. Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy from a jail cell in Rome where he was awaiting execution. Christians were being persecuted across the Roman Empire. Society was filled with people who were cruel, immoral, and dishonest. The problems we see today have been with us since before the Flood. In the face of these challenges, we have a choice of responses. We can live in fear, or we can live in faith. The two are mutually exclusive and do not coexist. Faith is the answer because the spirit of fear does not come from God.

Having faith does not mean that everything will work out the way we want. It does not guarantee that we won't get sick, won't lose a job or won't ever have any hardship. What it means is that we will trust God regardless of our circumstances and refuse to give in to fear. Job lost more than any of us ever have. He never was given an explanation for the trial he endured. Yet in the midst of his pain, his loss and his grief Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him” (Job 13:15). Fear does not have to dominate our thoughts and restrict our actions. Paul told Timothy that it was time to stir up his spiritual gifts and put them to work for God.

And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 5:40-42

The disciples were not shocked to find themselves facing opposition and persecution. Jesus had warned them it was coming, and they had watched Him put to death at the urging of the high priest and the leaders of the Sanhedrin. Soon many of the disciples of Jesus would give their lives for the gospel, refusing to be silent even in the face of threats and punishment. The ruling council of the Jews used every measure at their disposal to stop the message of Jesus, but when they beat the apostles, it did not silence them. In fact rather than being upset or angry, they left rejoicing. They realized that what the world intended as a badge of shame was an honor in the eyes of God, and they were determined to be faithful to Him no matter what happened.

Jesus did not call us to be popular or to have easy lives. He called us to be faithful no matter what, and He pronounced a special blessing on those who suffer for the right reasons. “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11-12). It can be hard for us to regard opposition or slander or even persecution as a good thing, but if they come to us for the cause of Christ they are actually a compliment. The apostles saw their suffering as a mark of approval from the Lord and so should we.

For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.

Isaiah 48:9-11

We are aware that God is omniscient, knowing everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. Ours is a God who can “[Declare] the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:10) We are aware that God is omnipotent and sovereign, fully in control of every event in our lives. Job said, “Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?” (Job 9:12). We are aware that God loves us and works to accomplish what is best for His glory and for our good. Yet despite our awareness of these important truths, it is sometimes hard to remember them when we find ourselves in the furnace.

Suffering and difficulties never come into our lives by accident or without a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is to refine us, purifying our lives by removing the things that keep us from serving God most effectively. Sometimes that purpose is to chastise us for sin we refuse to give up. Sometimes that purpose is concealed from us, and it is only looking back that we are able to discern how God was at work. And there are some things we will never fully understand in this life. God does not owe us explanations, although He sometimes will provide them. What He does give us is His unfailing, faithful presence. The three Hebrew children were not spared the overheated furnace, but when they were inside, they had an intimate experience with God.

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

James 5:1-4

Through the years there have been many warnings of impending doom. Many of us remember the Y2K scare as people feared a widespread computer shutdown would lead to economic turmoil and social chaos. President Ronald Reagan jokingly said, “Economists have predicted thirteen of the last four recessions.” During the COVID shutdowns, people stood in line to get food and even toilet paper, which was a shock to many people. We expect there to be things on the shelves when we go to the store. That experience led many to begin stockpiling supplies against future shortages. There is certainly nothing wrong with wise planning for the future, but putting all of our treasures here on Earth is a recipe for disaster.

Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal” (Matthew 6:19). No matter how much money or how many supplies or possessions we accumulate, all of it could be lost in an instant. We cannot truly provide security for the future by heaping up treasure. We can only find security in God. We can only have treasure that can never be taken away by storing it in Heaven. We must not allow our values to be shaped by the world around us, but instead live with God's values as our priority. Only then will our lives be pleasing to Him.