ADVENT MEDITATIONS - Part 11

DEC. 22 - (Вера)
Today's meditation was on belief. How often we can get caught up in a really good story or movie and sometimes even live vicariously through it, but how easy it is for us to simply read the words of Scripture and pass over them without realizing the significance they hold.

I chose to memorize this verse today - John 20:31 -- But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.

We know what the Scriptures say, but do we really believe Jesus is who He says He is? If we do, then that should be reflected in the way we live our lives. As I have meditated on Scripture this month in anticipation of celebrating His birth...and anticipating His second coming...I have come to a deeper appreciation and understanding of who He really is and it has strengthened my belief in Him. And that is the best Christmas gift!

DEC. 23 - (Радость)
Today's theme for meditation was a reminder that our focus at Christmas should be to rejoice in the fact that Jesus Christ has come to be our Savior.

I chose to memorize a couple of verses from Mary's song - Luke 1:46b-48a (1:47-48a in Russian) -- "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant."

This is one thing that does not change, and so whether I feel lonely or events at Christmas are not what I had hoped they would be, I can - and must - still choose to rejoice in who Christ is and the purpose He came to accomplish in my life.

CELEBRATING ADVENT: Joy

REALIZATION

Was it in the moment when Mary first heard the news?

Or when angels announced the birth of the long-awaited King of the Jews?

Imagine their exceeding great joy when they saw at last

The fulfillment of prophecy from long ages past.

And our hearts can all be filled with joy, still today,

In realizing God's greatest gift of salvation and grace.

~ Darlene Koop, Dec. 31-2012 ~

...and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary, His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. ~ Matthew 2:9b-11a ~

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant...For He who is mighty has done great things for me and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation." ~ Luke 1:46-48a, 49-50 ~

I am happy and I have joy in my heart.
For some people, those two words -- happiness and joy -- are synonymous, but there is a difference between them. And many people say that they want to be happy, when the real and deepest desire of their hearts is to find a true joy that lasts.

Friends, the message of the Christmas season brings us that joy that our world is searching for -- but it is not always realized or recognized because of the way in which God revealed it.

People look for happiness and joy in things they can see and touch, but those things will always disappoint. Happiness can be found in circumstances, but is usually temporary -- joy comes from knowing a truth that will not change, no matter what happens in our lives or the world around us.

So what is the joy that we celebrate at Christmas? Certainly, the birth of Jesus Christ. But if we stop there, we miss what Christmas is really all about.

The miraculous thing about true joy is that it continually increases and satisfies our hearts in a way nothing else can. The exceeding great joy that the wise men felt as they saw and worshiped the King of Kings that first Christmas was because they realized WHO HE WAS and WHY HE HAD COME.

And we, too, can experience that joy in ever-increasing measure, because of what happened after that wonderful, holy night just over 2000 years ago. I don't know if the people who were living on the earth at that time fully comprehended the reason for Christ's birth...that may be what Jesus meant when He said to Thomas, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29).

This world is not all there is -- and though this is where life begins, it does not end here. Jesus Christ is coming again, and for we who have believed although we have never seen Him, there are no words to describe the joy that we will know on that day.

The Savior of the world came - into the dark, smelly shadows of a stable on a night that was perhaps cold and dreary - and His first advent brought a joy and hope that people had never known. But the plan was not complete with His birth, or even His death and resurrection...for behold, He is coming again!! And His second advent will be even greater than the first -- for "every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11).

Then will we realize in fullness who He really is...and so until that day, let us continually find our joy in the only One who can satisfy our hearts -- Jesus Christ, our Savior, Lord, and King!

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith...may be found to praise, honor and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and glory, receiving the end of your faith  - the salvation of your souls. ~ 1 Peter 1:6-7a, 8-9 ~

MEDITATIONS ON THE PSALMS - Psalm 20

The psalmist David is reminding the readers that Yahweh is the One in whom they trust for salvation.

Three times in this chapter, it references "the name of the Lord." This is significant, because we know that there is power in the name of God.

Psalm 124:8 says that "our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."
Proverbs 18:10 says that "the name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

John 3:18 says that "whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
John 20:31 says: "But these things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name."

In Acts 4:10, after the lame man was healed, Peter declared that "it is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed."

In Philippians 2:10-11 it says that "at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

God's name is so precious to us as believers because we know the strength and faithfulness of our God. The psalmist says 3 things about the name of the Lord in this chapter:

"May the name of the God of Jacob defend you" ~ God's name is a defense for us against evil and wickedness and trouble.

"In the name of our God we will set up our banners" ~ We should rejoice in the name of God and proclaim it to those around us.

"Remember the name of the Lord our God" ~ Our trust is in God and we need to remember this - AND remember who He is and what He has done for us, how He has proved Himself - especially when we are tempted to believe otherwise.

I will proclaim the name of the Lord. Oh praise the greatness of our God! ~ Deuteronomy 32:3