Be Comforted
Psalm 86
6Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and listen to the cry of my supplications.
7In the day of my trouble I will call on You, for You will answer me.
8There is none like unto You among the gods, O Lord, neither are their works like unto Yours.
9All nations whom You have made shall come and fall down before You, O Lord; and they shall glorify Your name.
10For You are great and work wonders! You alone are God.
Isaiah 40:4
Every valley shall be lifted and filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be made low; and the crooked and uneven shall be made straight and level, and the rough places a plain.
5And the glory (majesty and splendor) of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it.
Isaiah 40: 28-31
(NIV) 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Today, on December 21, I recall the “Longest Night” services I have held through the years. Designed to offer hope to those who have suffered loss and are grieving during the Christmas season, these services provide a time of reflection and meditation, a safe space where those in pain can slow down amid the rush of holiday preparations and just breathe.
Anyone experiencing loss can benefit from a few scriptures of hope. When someone asks why something so terrible happens, there are no easy answers. All I know for sure is that God is a loving God. How can I say that when there is so much hurt in the world? Because when you “read the red,” the very words of Jesus, you see both the nature and the intent of God. God is our father, and we are His children. There is nothing else we need to know.
Have faith, you who are hurting and in despair. God is ready to pour out His grace upon you like cool, refreshing waters—just ask. Will the hurt go away because you have asked for grace? No, but over time it will lessen. Lean on God, on the Scriptures, spend time in prayer, and above all allow your families and friends to give you the support you need and the support they so want to give.
May those in pain find peace.
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit Amen.
Advent Comfort and Joy
Isaiah 9(NRSV) 1 But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
4 For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His authority shall grow continually,
and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
“O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, o tidings of comfort and joy.“
Have you thought much about what Advent is supposed to do in our lives? It is a time of preparation, a time where we can turn away from despair and turn toward hope, a time to say no to chaos and to embrace peace, a time to put away our sorrow and become overwhelmed by joy.
Don’t we all need joy today?
Advent comfort and joy comes when we focus on God’s great presence. Matthew 28:20 “Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Advent is the celebration of God’s being with us! Matthew 1:23 reads, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” But it is one thing to hear the words God is with us, and another for us to invite him to be with us, for us to know he is with us. To incorporate that knowledge into our daily living brings joy.
Be encouraged this Advent! Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world! You are not alone! You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. You can “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” You can be strong in the lord and be of good courage. With Jesus, you have a mighty conqueror in your life! The joy of the Lord truly is your strength.
God rest ye merry gentlemen, (Men, women, boys and girls, receive joy today in God’s power, presence, unfailing love, and rest)
Let nothing you dismay (Don’t let anything get you down, do not listen to anything that disagrees with God’s Word)
Remember Christ our savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power (Satan’s power begins with our thoughts (2 Cor. 10:5, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ) when we had gone astray, O
tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, O tidings of comfort and joy.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The wells of salvation
(NIV) Isaiah 12:1 In that day you will say:
“I will praise you, LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.
2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.
4 In that day you will say:
“Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.
5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.
6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Have you ever lingered over this scripture? The word “salvation” is mentioned three times, “joy” twice, “praise” twice, and “sing” two times. My favorite line is, “3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” What a wonderful image! Doesn’t the joy of the Lord just bubble up in you when you read that? And if the well is God’s, then we can be sure there is a never-ending supply of salvation.
There is a distinct progression of thought and action as we read Isaiah’s words. Gods anger has given way to comfort and to salvation. We let others know what he has done, and we praise him with song.
Some believe salvation is a one time experience. For me, repenting of my sins and accepting Jesus was just the beginning. I am continually saved by His grace, and that relationship produces “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
May we draw from the well of God’s salvation daily, not out of fear that we have lost that precious gift, but because the waters are life sustaining and life affirming.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Hoy Spirit. Amen.
The Shepherd’s Story
(KJV) Luke 2:8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace,
good will toward men.
15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
The third Sunday of Advent brings the lighting of the Shepherd’s candle. It is a pink candle representing joy—the joy of the angels as they sang the Gloria, the joy of the shepherds as they witnessed the most remarkable event the earth had ever seen, and the joy of Israel as she saw the comfort promised in Isaiah 40 coming to pass.
When I delivered the sermon on advent a few years ago, I took the liberty to write a short story about the shepherds. I cannot locate that particular piece so I will try to reconstruct it.
“The fields were busy as the shepherds watched their flocks. The sheep had been fed and watered, and now it was time for sleep. But before the shepherds could take their rest, the heavens erupted with a brilliant light, accompanied by an announcement of Christ’s birth. And the light gave way to praise, sweet praise.
Among the shepherds was a young boy. It was his first season in the fields and although tired and sleepy, he knew this was a night he would never forget. Jarred awake by the events of the night, he recognized this night would define his life.
And nothing would ever be the same.
The birth of the Christ Child did not occur in a palace, but in a stable. The announcement was not made to the rich and powerful, but to the poor and lowly. Joy to the world the Lord is come. There was a distinct shift taking place: some would embrace the change, others would reject it.
The young shepherd boy never forgot that night, nor did he ever travel far from those fields. And he never stopped sharing the news delivered by the angels. He was there when Jesus taught the Beatitudes and fed the 5000. He was present when Jesus was crucified, and he was part of the crowd present on the day of Pentecost.
It seemed only a short time, and the boy was an old man with grandchildren of his own. As the grandchild grew old enough to tend to the sheep, he and his grandfather spent many hours together. There is much to do when caring for sheep. They must be led to fields where the grass is plentiful. Otherwise they will stand in the same spot, eating until the field is bare. Because they are so timid, bubbling brooks frighten them, and they will drink from stagnant, muddy water unless the shepherds lead them away.
On this particular night, everything was quiet, so the grandfather began to talk. He related the events of that long ago night. He spoke of following this man called Jesus after his ministry became public, he told of miracles, of His death, burial and resurrection.
The grandson listened intently and when his grandfather finished they sat in silence. Finally, the grandson spoke. “Grandfather, that is the most wonderful story I have ever heard. But is it true? Did it really happen that way?”
“Yes, my child, it is true and it really happened that way.””
So as we light the Advent candle of joy, may we remember all of those throughout the ages who have received and embraced the joy only made possible through a personal relationship with Jesus. May we, like the shepherd in our story, remain faithful to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and in deed.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Fear of the Lord
(NIV) Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.
(NIV) Ps 34:4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
(NIV Deut 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
I watched a sermon by Dr. David Jeremiah on fearing God. He posits that our country is in such bad shape because we no longer fear God. But doesn’t the Bible teach us not to fear because God is with us? Yes, but in that instance we are being told not to fear a situation such as going into battle, because God is with us, even going before us. But when people are in the presence of God, our natural response should be fear.
I believe two things have happened over the course of my lifetime;
- Parents stopped teaching their children to respect those in authority (teachers, police)
- Preachers stopped preaching about the fear of the Lord, and instead emphasized the love of God
So which is it? Should we fear God or should we love Him? The answer is we should do both. We fear God because of His awesome power. He created the universe, He took a small insignificant people called the Hebrews and made them His own. When Moses was confronted by the burning bush, He was afraid. When Isaiah was in the throne room of God, He was afraid. Yet God loved us so much he sacrificed His Son to save us from the penalty of sin.
I thought for years that man’s problem is that we no longer recognize sin, or even know that sin is breaking Gods laws, thus separating us from Him. So I preached about sin and the consequences of sinning against God. But I also preached God’s love, because God really did love the world so much that He gave His Son to redeem us and restore us to a right relationship with Him.
But let’s face it: Fear moderates our behavior. We do not get too close to the edge of a cliff for fear we will fall. We do not get too close to fire for fear we will get burned. And we do not sin against God for fear of punishment or separation. Could it be that fear and love are two sides of the same coin?
May we who are Christ followers never forget the awesome power of our God, and may we bow before Him in awe, lavishing in His presence.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Seeking Holiness 