advent

Peace on Earth, Goodwill Toward Men

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

The neighbor across the street finally came over to introduce himself fifteen months after we moved in. Oh. I suppose we could have walked over and extended the hand of friendship first, but we didn’t. We see each other from a distance and have raised a hand in greeting many times. But the neighbor finally made the first move. And somehow the conversation quickly circled to the fact that the person who had formerly lived in the house next door to us had filed a lawsuit against him. And the suit went on for five expensive years. Oh. This man who stood in our driveway had won in multiple courts, but it came at a cost for both him and the woman who sued him. He lost five years without a floor in his barn. She lost her home.

The lawsuit? She sued him because he built a small barn that blocked her view of the lake. Honestly. I can see her point. The barn isn’t a thing of beauty. And it does partially block even my view of the lake. But the man who owned the property built the barn without asking anyone’s permission. It was his property to use as he saw fit. Even if it disgruntled the neighbor. It’s easy to say that the rest of the neighbors were glad when she was forced to move out of her home. It’s called foreclosure. All because of an unnecessary lawsuit. Yes. She lost her home because she put all her money into a frivolous lawsuit that she eventually lost. Even the highest court in the state thought her lawsuit was ridiculous and declined to review it.

What is peace? Is it even possible these days to declare peace? I know it isn’t peace when two opposing sides won’t even speak to each other. Or when they cut each other off from having a relationship. I know it isn’t a peaceful protest when there is gunfire and violence and burning buildings. It isn’t peace when one neighbor files a lawsuit against someone across the street.

According to Merriam-Webster, the current definition is a state of tranquility or peace such as freedom from civil disturbance; a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom; freedom from being disturbed or bothered by people, noise, etc.; freedom from disquieting thoughts or emotions; harmony in personal relations; a state or period of mutual concord between governments; a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or are in a state of enmity; or is used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell.

It seems today there are conflicting thoughts about peace. There is a new unwritten definition that says two parties must mutually agree for there to be peace, particularly in political and cultural views. If there is any hint of disagreement, then there is no peace. It’s all out war. We read of examples of failures of this type of “peace” in the news most every day. It seems that today we can’t have peace unless everyone agrees. And if there is disagreement, one person or party is ousted or destroyed. It doesn’t matter who they are or what the relationship previously looked like.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

So then we look at the life of Jesus. And we read of two seemingly conflicting thoughts of peace relating to his life and mission on this earth.

We read the Christmas story in Luke 2:1-40. The night Jesus was born, shepherds were in the fields watching their sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared under the cover of darkness and proclaimed a message the shepherds didn’t quite understand. Yet they believed what the were told. Then a host of angels appeared praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Ten chapters later in Luke 12, we read that Jesus said that he did not come to bring peace to the earth. He says. I come to divide people against each other. And how can we reconcile these two Scriptures? Luke 2:14 and Luke 12.

“I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’ ”Luke 12:49-53

Jesus knew his coming to earth had an eternal purpose for all mankind. He knew his message would turn the tides. He was fulfilling the prophesies of old. And he knew his role and purpose in his Father’s plan. He couldn’t sit idly by and watch people just live the Jewish law. He came to fulfill it. He was the promised Messiah. The Savior of the world that his people had been waiting for. He knew that, yet not everyone received his message with open arms and open hearts.

These two chapters in Luke go from angelic beings proclaiming peace on the night the Promised Messiah was born to that Promised Messiah announcing that he does not bring peace to the world. What a contrast we see, but the message is really the same. The message of both announcements is that Jesus Christ was sent to the earth to bring peace to our troubled souls. But that peace can only be achieved through the acceptance of his message. And before that message is received, there will be trouble within and without us. We will have to reconcile to ourselves that in order for Jesus to be Lord of our lives, we must bow in submission to him. That is no easy task for proud individuals.

When Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” as he hung on that old rugged cross, he knew that he was paying the ultimate price for peace in men’s hearts. He knew that peace could be attained by all men, but there would be warfare of all kinds heaped upon those created in his image. He knew we would struggle with temptations to sin. He knew we would cause wars and endless trouble in this world. He knew we would be selfish and greedy and seek to punish those who disagreed with us. But his gift of salvation offered us forgiveness for all our sins. But we must be willing to pay the price of self sacrifice in order to have the peace that only He can give.

The difference in the woman stirring up trouble in the neighborhood because her view of the lake was blocked and Jesus coming to divide people was that he was stirring the hearts of men and women to either believe in him or reject him. His purpose had eternal consequences. And everyone must choose which path to follow. Belief or disbelief in the Savior of the world. The woman next door stirred up trouble because her feelings were hurt. She could have bought the house across the street and had a more magnificent view of the lake. But no. She chose the path of hard resistance, and it cost her nearly everything. Jesus chose the path of dying on the cross for all mankind to save us from losing our souls. He obeyed his Father’s will to die for our sins so we wouldn’t have to.

In the midst of a troubled world, Jesus does bring peace to hurting hearts and wounded souls. He offers forgiveness and is waiting for us to respond. We can have peace in a troubled world if only we turn our hearts toward Him.

When the Soul Rejoices

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

She was a teenager. Betrothed to marry a young man. Basically, they were in a legally binding contract which required them to wait a year to formalize their marriage. They were not to spend much time together or consummate their marriage until it was formalized. But she was visited by an angel who told her she would have a child. And she found herself pregnant without ever sleeping with a man. And without formalizing her marriage. This was not acceptable in her culture. She could pay with her life.

Imagine the scorn and ridicule this young woman faced as she walked the dusty streets of the village. As her belly grew, so did the rumors. The taunts from the townspeople may have drowned out the promises the angel gave her. The friends she once had may not have been so friendly now that she was with child. She was in uncharted territory. A betrothed young man could choose to have her stoned to death if he didn’t want to live with the embarrassment. To be a pregnant unwed woman was not for the faint of heart. Her social standing and future were hanging on a precarious precipice if the young man who had promised to be her husband backed out of the arrangement. She could be sacrificed, and he would be free to find a more virtuous wife.

She was young. Very young. And the young man, who was a distant descendant of King David, didn’t want to disgrace her. He decided to divorce her quietly. But then the angel who had surprised Mary with the news of her impending motherhood also visited Joseph in his dreams. The child is divinely conceived, he was told. She has not been unfaithful to you. She is faithful to me and to you and will have a son. You will name him Jesus, and he will save his people from their sins.

Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:19-21

This period in Mary’s life was full of tests and trials. Instead of pitying herself, she rose to the challenge set before her. She embraced the will of God and put each foot forward as she walked into an unknown future. As unfamiliar prophetic words were spoken over her, she took it all in stride and remained faithful to the call of God, her heavenly Father. She did not know the trials that lay before her throughout her life. Perhaps she knew the veiled prophecies of the Promised Messiah, but were they truly clear in their meaning? Most likely not. But she walked in faith that God would lead her into each tomorrow as the mother of this holy child.

She visited an older cousin who was also heavy with child. This cousin’s child was to be the voice in the wilderness awakening hearts and minds to prepare for the promised Messiah. The child in the cousin’s womb immediately recognized the babe in Mary’s womb and leapt for joy in his own mother’s body.

The question of Mary’s virtue, which had been suspect in the streets of her hometown, was laid to rest on the night of the babe’s birth. During the months of her pregnancy, her honor was veiled because only she and God were certain of her purity. But the angel’s celebration on that eventful night lifted the veil on any suspicions of her honor. The angels sang at the birth of her child.

Mary had much to ponder in her heart as she relived the events of the past nine months. The angel’s visit and announcement of her pregnancy. The prophecies about the babe to be born. The Roman emperor’s decree for a census. Even the shepherds who came to worship the child. How overwhelming it would be to think that you had just birthed the Savior of the world. There was much to consider in the days ahead.

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! Luke 1:46-47

There are times when we think the events of our lives can’t get any worse. But then they do. Trials of every kind are thrown at us. And it seems as if there are seasons full of pitfalls and unexpected situations that are never ending. One incident after another seems to threaten the stability and security we thought was ours. As followers of Christ, we have a choice as to how we will face the challenges of life.

Will we continue to find joy in the God of our forefathers even when we don’t find joy in our everyday life? Do we only seek immediate gratification and fulfillment? Do we still find joy in the Lord when life changes instantly? Or, are we willing to find joy in the long obedience of following our Savior’s footsteps regardless of where those footsteps lead?

Sure. Mary’s tests at her young age were monumental, but they paled in comparison to the challenge of seeing her firstborn hanging on a Calvary cross. Did she fully understand that he would rise from the dead on the third day? Or, did she believe he was lost to her forever as his broken body was placed in the tomb?

As she stood watching her son die on that cross, did she recall the Magnificat she sang as the babe John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb? Did Mary recall the joy of being chosen to bear the Savior of the world now that his mission was being fulfilled? At what cost did she rejoice as a teenager? And did she still rejoice in the agony of seeing her son tortured and killed thirty odd years later?

Our momentary troubles can seem overwhelming and life altering. What once may have been cause for joy in our lives may have turned into a deepening sorrow as time passes. Can we still claim joy in the Lord during the passing test of time? Or, do we only declare joy when we get what we want?

Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him. His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones. He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands. He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.” Luke 1:46-55

Long Expected Jesus

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

The people had been told for centuries that someone was coming to be their Savior. This was a promise and a prophecy that had yet to be fulfilled. The promise was for a new covenant that would replace the laws. This covenant would put in place the salvation of sins. Because this promised Messiah would die in their place. For their sins. He was to be the Savior of the world.

The Scriptures told details of the promised Messiah. He would be born of a woman. She would be a virgin giving birth to a baby. An assumed impossibility. This baby would be born in Bethlehem. He would be a descendant of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah. He was in line to sit on the throne of King David. Yet his reign would be eternal. He would be called Immanuel.

And so they waited.

Once he was born, some recognized the significance of his birth. Angels announced his arrival to shepherds. But life was not without risk for this newborn. Magi had told King Herod that an heir to the throne of David had been born, and they had come from a distant land to worship him. Herod knew his reign and legacy were at risk. So he had to act quick. This is when he ruled all boys aged two and under must be eliminated.

After the Magi’s visit, the family escaped to Egypt to avoid being discovered. Joseph had been warned in a dream to move, in order to save the life of the One who would die to save us from our sins.

Oh. But trouble continued to follow this man, Jesus. He didn’t ask for trouble. He came to bring peace. But a messenger would come before him to pave the way. This forerunner’s message would open the hearts of the hearers in preparation for the message of the Promised One. This Messiah, a prophet nonetheless, would be rejected by his own people. They would plot and plan ways to be rid of him. They would falsely accuse him. The religious leaders tried to trick him, but they failed at every turn. He outsmarted each and every attempt. At times, he just remained silent. Let them look the fools they were. After all, he was God in human form. Did they not realize it?

Oh. He bore our sins on the cross and suffered in our place. He bled and died so that we would have eternal life, if only we accept him as Lord and Savior of our lives.

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. Isaiah 9:6-7

Come, Thou long-expected Jesus,
Born to set Thy people free;
From our fears and sins release us,
Let us find our rest in Thee.
Israel’s Strength and Consolation,
Hope of all the earth Thou art;
Dear Desire of every nation,
Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver,
Born a child and yet a King,
Born to reign in us forever,
Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone;
By Thine all-sufficient merit,
Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Charles Wesley

There were many prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in his lifetime. Some have yet to be accomplished. Because Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection weren’t the only prophecies. After his resurrection from the dead, he ascended to heaven to take his place at the right hand of God the Father. He will fulfill another prophecy by returning to take his people home. His return will break the eastern sky and draw all believers to heaven. So, we’re once again waiting for Jesus. We’re waiting for his return.

And now this world of weary believers is asking for Jesus to come once again. He fulfilled the first promise of coming as a man to save the lost. He has fulfilled the promised covenant. For we all are lost and in need of a Savior.  Now please do it again. Come to take your people home. We long for eternity with King Jesus. 

We await the wedding feast that he is preparing for us, his bride. Those who are invited to the wedding feast are called blessed. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. May his name be praised.

Oh, come thou long expected Jesus.

He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed. Daniel 7:14

Behold Your King

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

This year has been both brutal and wonderful all at the same time. Poor combination of adjectives, you say? Yes, it’s been brutal. The entire world has struggled to make sense of a virus that has devastated so many lives in so many ways. And it still isn’t over. Is the end in sight? Only time will tell. Yes, this year has even been wonderful. God is working among us. He is here with us. In the midst of all this chaos, God is right here. He sees our hurts and our longings. He knows our dreams and our plans. God is a giver of life and hope. He gives good things and allows tests and trials to come upon us. But he is with us.

He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.

Think about it. God knows our need before we mention it to him. He knows our need even if we don’t tell him. He knows our need even if we deny his existence. He knows our need. He always knows our need. God sees everyone who is struggling. And if there’s been a year to struggle, this is it. There’s no denying that.

God is no stranger to our weakness. He sees our hurts and flaws. He is so familiar with our struggles and our needs. He sees it all. He calls us to shelter under the wing of his strength and righteousness. We can boast in our weakness, so the power of Christ can work through us.

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29

This season is bittersweet for some. Previous disappointments and struggles are reminders of what we’ve lost. Unfulfilled dreams point the finger of failure. It seems that we spend so much of our time focusing on our fears, that we forget to look for hope.  Our strength is in the Lord. Let’s relax in that thought for a second.

Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” Isaiah 35:4

Oh. Anxious heart. Be not fearful, because he holds you in the palm of his hand. He leads the way when the path is bumpy and unpaved. He knows your name. He knew you before he formed you in your mother’s womb. In your darkest hour of need, our heavenly Father is right by your side. He paves the way when there is no way. He is the lover of your soul. So stand strong. Be courageous. Be willing to fight the enemy as he advances. Resist evil.

Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us! 2 Chronicles 32:7-8

Why do we tremble before the enemy of our soul? Why do we doubt the God we serve? Our God is mightier and stronger than the devil’s schemes. The enemy is out to bring us down with his disguise of self centeredness. Let’s not focus on ourselves. Let’s focus on the One who saves our souls. The One who gave his life for our sins. He is the Savior of the world. Let’s not be tricked by the enemy. The Lord is on our side. Oh. The enemy of our soul has an army fighting against us. But the lover of our soul fights for us. His truth will stand. We need only to be still. He will prevail.