December 17, 2010 It Was For You

It Was for You

Day 32: Luke 2:12-14 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

DID YOU ever wonder why God, the eternal Father, the creator of the universe, the one who has made majestic mountains and one-cell animals—would have his very own Son born in a manger?
I’ve been around mangers. They’re dirty. Animals drool into a manger as they eat, and who knows what other organisms live there? Oh, God, couldn’t you at least have opened a room in the crowded inn for your own Son?
Actually, you could ask a number of “why questions” about Jesus’ life. Why was he born into lower-class working family? Why did he wait until he was 30 to begin ministering? Why did people hate him so? Why did they kill him?
Based on the bible—the beginning to end—I believe the Father’s answer would be something like this:
“Why, you ask, did I allow My Son to have such a hard birth, life and death? It was all for you, my child. You see, my Son is my gift to you. I wanted to show you how much I love you by sending my Son from the most glorious existence in Heaven to the lowliest place on earth. I wanted to show you real humility, so that you would be humble to let my words teach you. You would be humbled to know I will do anything to save you.
“I wanted my Son to know what work is like for you, so he could understand your frustrations and pain as you turn to him in prayer. My Son’s life was to show you I am willing to do anything to have you turn and call me Father. My Son’s death was to open the doorway to my home for you forever.
“This is all for you, my child. I am a God who walks with you everywhere, even when it stinks, when it’s uncomfortable, when it’s downright hard. My Son has experienced this. He knows your needs. Trust him, and turn to him. When you do, I will welcome you into my home. And we—me, my Son, Spirit and you—will live together forever in the glory the shepherds saw that night.”

Pause and Consider: God’s gift for you.


God Triumphs
Read Revelation 8 - 9

Rev 8:3-54 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.

THE SEVENTH seal is opened, and there is 30 minutes of silence in heaven. The 30 minutes, some say, allow the prayers of God’s people on earth to be heard. It could also mean that people who oppose God have no more to say. They are faced with judgment, and their excuses are useless. The incense purifies the prayers before the altar. Then the prayers are answered in judgment.
Judgment is cast down from heaven to protect the saints and to judge the sinners. Chapter 8:6 – 11:19 records God’s terrible judgment against a foe that will not surrender.
When the 7 trumpets sound in succession, judgment goes onto those who oppose God. Even after the 5 months’ horrific pain from scorpions and hell-like destruction of fire, sulphur and smoke—sin still prevails. A powerful lesson to learn here is that the dominion of hell is ever-attacking. Satan will not give up easily. He knows he is fighting to the death.
It is good to know two things: First is this: Evil strives desperately and relentelesly to destroy us and separate us from God. Second is this: God triumphs.
We have been given this view of the end of days to be aware of these two truths. Call on the power of the Holy Spirit each day to defeat the relentless evil in the world.
Rejoice each day in the power of the Holy Spirit that God has chosen you and protected you from this hell forever.


Pause and Consider: God’s eternal protection over you.