Recently I was diagnosed with an ailment that was causing me constant pain in my knee, a slight limp and worrisome thoughts that I might need some type of surgery or serious medications. Once defined as a common but painful situation I was relieved but still anxious. I shared my plight with a few friends and immediately they all voiced ideas and one said, “Oh, I had that and I got over it ; you will too”. I immediately felt lighter and a sense of hope.
One of the world’s most loved Christmas carols, “O, Holy Night” has the line. “A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!”. I understand a little better the idea of “A thrill of hope”. Things will get better, the future is brighter, wounds will be made whole, illnesses healed. Yonder, in the manger lies the answer, a new and glorious morn! It was the night of our dear Saviors birth! No matter how long we have lain in our sin and error , HE has appeared, and our souls are worthy through HIM!! Trust in this Child of the virgin, this sacrifice of the cross! There is the thrill of hope for all our situations. They will either be resolved here or in eternity. You will “get over it’ like my unexpected diagnosis, the pain will be relieved in time. God’s time.
So, even though I will need to carefully fall on my knees, I want to proclaim with those angel voices, “O night divine, O, Holy Night, when Christ was born!!
While preparing for Christmas I have carols playing continually to keep me moving and inspired. I love to catch some of the phrases in my mind and focus on what the writers were expressing from their hearts. Two verses from ‘I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” caught my attention and stirred my soul. The last two verses say, ” Then in despair I bowed my head, ‘there is no peace on earth’ I said. For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, goodwill to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep GOD IS NOT DEAD nor doth He sleep, the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, goodwill to men.”
Penned by Longfellow in 1863, its sentiments could have been written this year. Many times the events of our nations cause us to bow our heads in despair, the situations in our families cause heart break and the sin in our own lives mocks back at us that hate is strong. But God didn’t leave His creation there. In the manger was provided the “right that will prevail”. The Son of God was given who can restore nations, mend brokenness and forgive and heal from personal guilt. From that night of the nativity there is a hope that causes us to raise our heads and peal the bells loud and deep! God is not dead, nor doth He sleep! Joy to the World, our Lord has come!!!
I am one of those people who begin listening to Christmas music early in the season. Each year there seems to be one verse or phrase that catches my attention regardless of how many times I have heard or sung it. While decorating my tree Sunday night I heard “with the dawn of redeeming grace “ and literally stopped working and sat on the top of my ladder and wondered……”the dawn of redeeming grace”. I have studied grace in the past but this was a new idea!! The birth of the Christ child brought a dawning into humanity’s night. No more striving to keep the law and failing. I now rely on the grace of Christ to redeem me back to God.
Then I heard the word “dawning”. Like the sun, grace has always been there in the essence of God, even before the sun was created!! But the birth of the Son of God displayed for us the dawn of His saving grace. Light into darkness, night becomes day, amazing grace!! I hope each time you hear this phrase, this season, that you will wonder at the “dawn of redeeming grace”.
Dear sisters,
What are we looking at? Where is our focus?
The enemy wants each one of us to only look to where we have failed and been unsuccessful, instead of looking how much we have progressed and grown spiritually. The devil wants us to focus on our past, instead of focusing on our future. He wants us to think about how many times we’ve failed and made mistakes, instead of how many times we’ve succeeded.
But GOD wants us to focus on Him and to know with HIM we are strong and not weak, to look at our victories and not on our losses, and to look believing God does have the solution, and not just to look at our problems.
Phil. 3:13-15 “Brothers (sisters), I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead. I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.”
Through these two verses God is saying to us to run (press on) towards the goal, answer His call and forget what is in the past. Take note to ‘what’ we are focusing on and then to look at and magnify God’s works and possibilities. Don’t believe the lies of the devil! Believe God!
He has the power to strengthen people that feel weak. He wants to show His power and heal sicknesses. He can make a way where there is no way. He can give favour and open doors. He can be a powerful and personal Saviour, and best friend to those who have lost hope, purpose and think they can’t go any further.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
Yes my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honour depend on God, He is my rock, my refuge. Trust in Him at all times, you people, pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge. Psalm 62:5-9
Life is interesting isn’t it, I find as long as I am conscious of HIS presence I do ok and all is well with my soul. It is virtually impossible to stumble while walking in awareness of HIM. It is in Him that I find my deepest fulfillment. Fearful, anxious thoughts melt away in HIS presence.
The above verses are full of His promises, He says “do not fear, I am with you, I will strengthen you, trust Me”. So today, if you are feeling anxious or fearful or weak, ask yourself “have I been in His presence today”? And if you have not, then can I encourage you to do it NOW. Meditate on these verses and you will see your strength will return and and your fear will be gone and you will have peace in your heart.
Sending all the daughters of the King my love today.
Grethe
