“[Earnestly] remember the former things, which I did of old; for I am God, and there is no one else; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end and the result from the beginning, and from the ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure and purpose.” Isa 56:9-10 (Amplified)
Jesus Christ’s redemptive foray into the world became a necessity the moment Adam chose to sin against the God who had created and mandated him to rule over the world on His behalf. God’s merciful response to mankind’s great sin was to shower His great love on mankind, a gesture that culminated in Jesus Christ’s agonising death on the cross. In passing judgement on sin, God also provided the only means by which mankind can be rid of sin and be reconciled with Him. The son of woman shall bruise the serpent’s head while He too shall be mortally wounded as the serpent bruises His heel. This is what Easter is all about. Nevertheless, the road to Easter must necessarily start from somewhere, and that place is Christmas, for there can be no Easter without Christmas, since the child must first be born before he can become the sacrifice.
This week, we shall be seeking to answer the question, what does Christmas say about God’s character and how does that impact on our lives? As another year slowly draws to an end, it is not impossible that some of us are still awaiting the fulfilment of God’s promise to us. We have longed, waited and hoped, but seemingly remain rooted to where we were at the beginning and from the look of things might still be at the end of next year unless God breaks through and deliver us. The issue we need to resolve within ourselves is that was God serious about fulfilling His promise when He spoke to us? If you are not conversant with God’s character, you might think that He is a great joker who loves hoodwinking those gullible enough to believe His lies. If on the other hand you do understand God, you will know that what He says about Himself in our anchor passage stands true for all time. He only says what He means and always means what He says. You can bet your life on his word because He has done precisely the same thing by betting the life of His Son on the same word. So, God’s word is no joke; it is life. According to His word, He has already seen the end even before the beginning. Therefore, His promise to you is already a substantive reality to God. This is the reason He could boast “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not even a jot of my word shall pass away” and that “My word shall never return to me void but will accomplish the purpose for which I sent it”. Have you heard of that word that “God is watching over His word to perform it?” It simply means that God cannot default on His promise, however outlandish or improbable. His word is so precious that He esteems it more than His holy name, and this is the same name that some will kill for.
So, this Christmas, what is your dominant thought? What is that situation that is making you anxious? Has God given you His word of honour that tackles it? Then, relax, because His word is His bond. It is simply impossible for God to lie as that will imperil His very existence. So, trust in God and you shall not be disappointed.
Prayer:
Lord, your word assures me of your commitment to keeping your promise to me. As I prepare to celebrate the birth of your Son, I renew my trust in you and declare that I shall hold on to you until your promise becomes a tangible reality. Thank you Lord for your word, for it shall become flesh and restore life to my soul. Amen.