Author: astherainandsnow

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…

“I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly…

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:1-4,7-10,28-29

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus’s listeners were well familiar with the imagery of sheep, doors (gates), and shepherds. He attaches their concepts of ownership, leadership, and tending to His spiritual role in their lives. He was the only One by whom they would find sustenance, security, and fulfillment. Any other way or guide would lead them astray to life bereft of hope. His invitation came by way of clear comparisons of both means and ends, leaving them to decide whom they would follow.

Every day we have this same choice. We may wander near the door to the good shepherd’s sheepfold, curious but reluctant, drawn by love but repelled by innate rebellion. Steps of faith are required to admit the folly of following another to destruction. Would we leave our pride and willful resistance to enter the Gate that is our Savior?

For those in Christ, we too have choices. Arising from sleep, we decide how to enter the day. Will we turn first thoughts to Him, spend time seeking the Lord through His word and prayer, saturating ourselves with truth, God’s perspective on work and relationships and character? Or will we burst out of the gate, driving our own set direction and pace, in our strength? Who leads our agenda and route?

Challenges and conundrums require alertness to pitfalls, wisdom, proper information and dress. If we skirt the Lord’s perspective, heed foreign voices, detour from obedience, refuse holy methods, or stubbornly insist on our own path, we will likely suffer loss.

Surrounded by the world’s death and destruction, why would we evade the Lord’s way to abundant life? Considering the door that is Jesus, and deliberately entering through Him every morning, for each appointment and interaction and effort, will yield rich pasture. Would I set aside sneaky detours, tend to rusty hinges, and realign with Him?

Lord, help me enter each day through the door that is You, to further Your will and magnify Your glory.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought forth,
    or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4

“‘Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end…’ He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:12-13,20-21

In the beginning, God was. He was active at the creation of all things, and upholds them still. He was and is present at every turning of season and awakening of day, each fresh page of the calendar. This One who has been from everlasting past will always be, eternally existent, infinitely constant, strong, good, and wise. From start of the scriptures to close, God’s story is told and His majestic eternity revealed, HIs eternity and eternal word bearing on our time and place in history.

At a time, date, and season of new beginnings, it is grounding to know that the almighty, heavenly Lord is first and last. He was before all time and anything that existed. He is the first cause of all that occurs, man’s raison d’etre, and our end. And He upholds the universe, in all its wrangling and uncertainties, by His power. Though we may fear uncertainties and insecurities ahead, He unfolds days and futures according to His sovereign will. Though we may be rocked by circumstances and unforeseen events, He is never surprised or out of control. Our charge at the new year is to trust Him! (Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:3)

Facing a clean schedule and anticipating all God has in store in a new year, we can be inspired to roar ahead with exciting plans and verve. Pausing to contemplate the eternal God who is our dwelling place and has set past and future will refine our viewpoint for the months and days ahead. How can we align our enthusiasm and determination with His good will? What habits will we set in place to remind us of His eternal plans, and keep us honing an eternal perspective? (Romans 12:1-2)

In light of the reality that God is our cause and end, that He is here and coming soon, what are our priorities for hours and days? What is our chief desire this new year? Who or what fuels our passions and sets our direction and determination? What doubts can we entrust to His wisdom, what hopes to His good plans, what cares to His everlasting arms? (Jeremiah 29:11; 1 Peter 5:7)

Eternal Lord, please set the schedule of my days and plans for the future to cause me to know You better, trust You more, and glorify You as You deserve.

“Praise is due to you, O God…
O you who hear prayer,
    to you shall all flesh come.
When iniquities prevail against me,
    you atone for our transgressions.
Blessed is the one you choose and bring near,
    to dwell in your courts!
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house,
    the holiness of your temple!

By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness,
    O God of our salvation,
the hope of all the ends of the earth
    and of the farthest seas;
the one who by his strength established the mountains,
    being girded with might;
who stills the roaring of the seas,
    the roaring of their waves,
    the tumult of the peoples,
so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs.
You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.

You visit the earth and water it;
    you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
    you provide their grain,
    for so you have prepared it.
You water its furrows abundantly,
    settling its ridges,
softening it with showers,
    and blessing its growth.
You crown the year with your bounty;
    your wagon tracks overflow with abundance.
The pastures of the wilderness overflow,
    the hills gird themselves with joy,
the meadows clothe themselves with flocks,
    the valleys deck themselves with grain,
    they shout and sing together for joy.” Psalm 65

Yes, praise is due the God who blesses His people. He appoints seasons and the turning of years to give man time to reflect, to remember, to sing, to rejoice. The greatest gift being forgiveness of sins, souls are liberated to take delight in the wide mercies and majestic workings of God. His hand weaves color and freedom and goodness into moments and hours, enriching life as it goes along, heightening awareness of His continual presence, supply, and graces.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s…
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” Psalm 103:1-5,8

Looking back over this year, how has the Lord crowned my year with His bounty? In what situations have I experienced the Spirit’s inspiration, or press of conviction with accompanying release upon repentance? Where can I trace my Savior’s guiding hand, or imparted wisdom? Where have I seen Him active in hard circumstances, providing hope, stilling restlessness, soothing hurt, filling needs? In what places of aloneness, confusion, doubt, or longing has the Lord visited me with His abundance and fresh water? (2 Samuel 12:13; Hebrews 4:16; 1 John 1:9)

For what new things will I bless the Lord today? What prayers am I certain He has heard? What new understanding have I gleaned from His word, or life experience? How have I grown in the fruit of the Spirit? What soul satisfaction and transformation of character has communion with Him through my hours brought? Praise is due Him! (Isaiah 43:19; Galatians 5:22-23)

Acknowledging this year’s bounty anticipates the next. God’s love continues for all generations.

Worthy Lord, establish in my days a rhythm of awareness, gratitude, and praise.

“The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven.  Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. If anyone has an ear, let him hear:

“If anyone is to be taken captive,
    to captivity he goes;
if anyone is to be slain with the sword,
    with the sword must he be slain.

“Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

“Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. It exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed…

“Then I looked, and behold, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.” Revelation 13:5-12; 14:1-3

John’s vision of heaven includes alternating glimpses into unleashed cruelty and dreadful judgment of the wicked with those of security and joyful hope among those saved as Christ’s own. Against the cacophonous horrors and haughty blaspheming of the beasts and their followers came a new song from the undefiled. Such is the contrast of those who know God and those who reject His mercy. In every onslaught of opposition, saints of God can sing with endurance and faith.

In a season of looking back, weighing disappointments, reprioritizing efforts, looking forward, the Lord beckons our souls to remember Him. His constant activity in His children’s lives, His ongoing care and sanctification, His sustaining power, are not to be neglected or forgotten. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with difficulties or regret or the relentless drag on our joy by harsh circumstances. We can justify, even subconsciously, fearful anxiety or a cranky attitude and forget to sing. But the soul that is saved can always find a new song.

What beasts have we allowed to rule our mindset? Where are we given to worry, self-loathing, or stress, all tools of the enemy to distract us from the Lord? How will I turn blasphemies against God and attacks on His children to positive, confident, resounding praise? Who needs the hope of music? Into what ugliness will I sing today? (2 Chronicles 20:20-22)

Father, awaken my heart to praise You with a new song each morning, to Your glory.

“The eternal God is your dwelling place,
    and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27

“You, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.”

“He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,
 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
    nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.”

“You hem me in, behind and before,
    and lay your hand upon me.” Psalm 3:3; 91:4-6; 139:5

Nestled in a cozy chair, surrounded by windows and a monochromatic scape, trees donned in only white frost, roofs blanketed with snow down, is a cocoon of wonder. The stream still trickles, though iced all around, its flow the only unfrozen movement or sound this frigid morning. Sheltered. Enveloped. Held. There is a dwelling place that covers and upholds with everlasting arms where the Lord God calls His own.

When all around is harsh, frigid, biting, the human heart craves cozy, that deep sense of serenity and safety in the midst of strife. We are drawn to, yet resist, the painful sting of cold, the edges of comfort. God crafted us with the ability to press against limits and to detect danger, and reflexes that protect or seek shelter. He orders many an experience to test our mettle, to push us to perform and trust in stretching ways, to learn the disciplines of structure and grit. He always provides a refuge. He presents opportunities to slip, to teach us to resist with determination, and always provides a way out that is a way in to His irrepressible care. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Where in the world’s winter do we find ourselves today? Have we wandered too far into a bitter cold heart, numb toward those who’ve hurt us or to the needs of those around us? Are there places we’ve strayed with a frozen conscience and need to find the way home? We can return to His arms of mercy and cleansing forgiveness. He washes us white as snow and can reignite a frost-bitten heart. Perhaps life is presently an onslaught of pressure, and we crave relief and rest. It may be we cannot escape a blanket of sorrow or disappointment, and our souls cry for refuge and comfort. The Lord hears and stands ready to enfold us in His strong arms and keeping. (Isaiah 1:18; Jeremiah 29:13-14; Matthew 11:28-30)

“What a fellowship, what a joy divine, 
leaning on the everlasting arms; 
what a blessedness, what a peace is mine, 
leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way, 
leaning on the everlasting arms; 
O how bright the path grows from day to day, 
leaning on the everlasting arms.

What have I to dread, what have I to fear, 
leaning on the everlasting arms? 
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, 
leaning on the everlasting arms.

Leaning, leaning, 
safe and secure from all alarms; 
leaning, leaning, 
leaning on the everlasting arms.” ~Elisha Hoffman (1887)

Father, my Hiding Place, so warm my soul with peace and boldness that I can draw others to take refuge in Your love and care.

“The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.” Exodus 13:21-22

“Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of the city of David…  The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord to its place, in the inner sanctuary of the house, in the Most Holy Place, underneath the wings of the cherubim… and all the Levitical singers,.. arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with… trumpeters;  and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord,

‘For he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever,’

“the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud,  so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God…

“I have built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever.” 2 Chronicles 5:2,7,12-14; 6:2

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12:1-3

Clouds were a welcome sight in the ancient near east, offering protection and needed shade, promising rain. God inhabited clouds with His shekinah presence to guide and bless His people. Their opaque nature piqued faith to trust what they represented, and to find a home in their midst. (1 Kings 18:41-44)

Often we are uneasy about clouds: threatening forecasts, confused misunderstandings, brooding emotions, unclear ways forward. In the flesh we want clarity, answers, no interruptions or messy tempers. We want to know what’s ahead with certainty. Yet the Lord often appears in clouds of uncertainty, speaks in the uncomfortable and unknown, awakening deeper dependence when we cannot see but must follow. Clouds are His vehicle for growth.

Rather than trying to escape clouds of difficulty or unsureness, what do we learn about ourselves in them that needs refinement or redirection? Do they cause increased stress, or confidence in God? What have we learned about Him and the certainty of His word?

What reminder of God’s glorious presence brings comfort and peace today? What steadfast witness of others encourages us in a present challenge in family or at work? How can we welcome lessons from looming clouds in our circumstances today?

Father, teach me from cloud experiences to believe and trust You as glorious Lord.

“All the people of Judah took Uzziah,.. and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. He built Eloth and restored it to Judah… Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem… And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper.

“He went out and made war… and built cities… God helped him against the Philistines and the Arabians… The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread.., for he became very strong… In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. His fame spread far, for he was marvelously helped, till he was strong.

“But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar. Azariah the priest went in after him,.. and withstood King Uzziah and said, ‘It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests… Go out of the sanctuary, for you have done wrong, and it will bring you no honor from the Lord God.’ Then Uzziah was angry… with the priests, [and] leprosy broke out on his forehead in [their] presence…  And King Uzziah was a leper to the day of his death, and lived in a separate house, for he was excluded from the house of the Lord..” 2 Chronicles 26:1-5,6,8,15-19,21

“In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple.” Isaiah 6:1 

From a line of kings who mostly followed the Lord, Uzziah was a model of faithfulness and godliness for half a century as he led Judah. He fortified her standing and fame by strengthening the military and developing the economy. But pride set in, which bled to defamation of God and anger against the priests who tried to turn him back. Not to be dishonored, the Lord inflicted him with leprosy, and he died an outcast. Into the nation then reeling from this dramatic fall, He called Isaiah to remind them who was really, and still, King.

In the flesh, man can put too much trust in men. The drive to succeed and support the right cause can compel us to rally behind and rely on a person to make things happen. Nations shaken with instability or struggling under prideful, ungodly leaders may look to varied saviors.

But no man is infallible, and God shares His glory with none. Whether in situations of prosperity or difficulty, He wants us to know who is really King. He’s the only One to be trusted and honored in matters great and small. (Isaiah 42:8)

The Lord calls us, like He did Isaiah, to repent of pride and self governance and to make known His supremacy. Are we, or those around us, foolishly looking to anyone but Him to fix our situations and society? How has He, by grace, checked our tendency to exalt self or man at His expense? How will we magnify His authority before others?

Lord, by word and deed, help me proclaim You King.

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,  who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw.  Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and those who hear, and keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

“John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

“Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood  and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him… Even so. Amen.

“’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'” Revelation 1:1-8

John begins his book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ by blessing all who would read, hear, and keep the words in the grace and for the glory of the blessed Trinity. Not only will the letter reveal different aspects of the triune God, but will also issue the inspiration and power to understand and adhere to its message. The blessed Trinity is the source and recipient of all allegiance and obedience.

It strengthens our spiritual walk when we consider and employ every aspect of the blessed Trinity. The One who created us is one with the One who saved us is one with the One who now inhabits us, a deposit of our eternal salvation, constant Guide and Intercessor. And we are one with Him if we believe. The practice of praising Him, surrendering to His cleansing and light, and abiding in His perfect love and purity fixes our direction and fortifies the soul against opposition. (John 14:16; 17:20-21; 2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

How aware are we of the triune facets of God in our lives? How can we explore His nature and be conformed to His image by relying on Him as Father, Son, and Spirit? What present challenges can be faced differently, more courageously, in the blessed Trinity? Would that we be sanctified into a work of His who praises His name!

“Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, Holy, Holy! though the darkness hide thee,
Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
Holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.” ~Reginald Heber (1826)

Lord, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit abide with and flow through me, to Your glory. (2 Corinthians 13:14)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5,9-14

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

“Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.” Revelation 1:4-5

Jesus Christ, present in the beginning, eternal Son of the Father, rules. Setting aside glory, He condescended to earth to die that we might live, then was exalted once again to the highest place to reign. King of kings, Lord of lords, His throne cannot be shaken. There is no power above or beside the living Christ. (Ephesians 1:20-23; Revelation 19:16)

The ravages of earth since the fall and curse are a stark contrast to and welcome setting for the coming of Christ. Thorns and sorrows are our plight, toil and frustration and pain seem to rule the days. Until the King comes. Jesus brings salvation, joy, blessings abundant. He rules with truth and grace that penetrate the darkness and lies, betrayal and hurt and anxieties, to offer substantial hope and peace. (Genesis 3:1-6,17-19)

Would we prepare Him room? What grudges, discontent, resentments can we release to His cleansing? What fears and longings can we entrust to His care and authority? What evidence will we show a dark world of His righteous, loving, steadfast reign?

“Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns;
Our mortal songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, help me joyfully, gratefully welcome and proclaim Your reign.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
    Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
    righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
    on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim
    and the war horse from Jerusalem;
and the battle bow shall be cut off,
    and he shall speak peace to the nations;
his rule shall be from sea to sea,
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Zechariah 9:9-10

“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ And Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, just as it is written,

“’Fear not, daughter of Zion;
behold, your king is coming,
    sitting on a donkey’s colt!’

“His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him.” John 12:12-16

Announced by prophets, the True King would come. To an exiled people facing rebuilding, in turmoil, opposed, He was coming. In present upheaval and darkness they could anchor their souls in the light of His promised, righteous reign. He might not meet their expectation of ruler at present, but they could find assurance that behind and around and above it all, He was in control.

The call to rejoice can be jarring in our self-centered world. The promise of victory and peace seems a vapor of unreason in our warring culture. What troubles we endure, what complaints we leave to stew! Caught up in everything that tangles our nerves, offends our rights, and rattles our emotions, we don’t want to heed a call to focus elsewhere. Life about us and our issues leaves no room for hoping for a promise or exalting the newborn King.

But Christmas calls us to live differently. ‘Rejoice greatly’ is a command that takes turning to look for Jesus. Is it salvation we need? Is it humility, freedom from self-righteousness? What turmoil needs the tools to conquer? What unsettledness, what anxiety begs for peace that lasts? The King is born! The Prince of Peace is nigh! Jesus lives and reigns!

“Hark! The herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!’
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Christ, by highest heav’n adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity!
Pleased as Man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel!

Hail, the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail, the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
‘Glory to the newborn King!'” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, by faith, may I rejoice in You, present and coming King.