Author: astherainandsnow

“The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.  As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you… But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.  If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you… If anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name…

“Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:7-16,19

We all know the clock is ticking. We are closer to death and eternity today than yesterday, and are called to live on a heavenly time table, with forever in view. In light of the end of life as we know it, whenever and however it comes, in light of our seeing the Lord Jesus face to face, how are we now to steward God’s grace and spend our time? (1 John 3:2-3)

By being self-controlled and sober-minded: faithful, ordered, and alert. By being continually filled with the Holy Spirit, squeezing out room for drunkenness on pride, emotion, or wayward affections. By being prayerful, turning to and relying on the Lord. (Psalm 121:1-2; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 5:15-18; 1 Thessalonians 5:17)

By actively keeping on in genuine and generous love toward others. By exercising patience, kindness, humility, forbearance, forgiveness, honesty, courtesy, hopefulness, trust, and perseverance among those around us. By putting away arrogance, boasting, and resentment, instead building up with encouragement and truth. These are possible as we follow the example of Christ Jesus and allow Him to love through us. (John 13:15; Romans 12:9-10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-15; 1 John 4:19)

By extending hospitality and grace. By offering time and an open heart to listen and value, and an open home that welcomes, refreshes, and consoles. (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2)

By exercising God-given gifts to build up and bless the church, our communities, our workplaces, and our homes. By energetically implementing skills for the work He has ordained for us to do. (Romans 12:5-8; Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-16)

How will we adjust our agenda in light of limited time, and the hope of facing our Lord? Do we flag in apathy or sloth, or entrust our strength and zeal to the Lord we will soon face? Serving with eternal perspective is subversive in this world, and may draw criticism and rejection, but doing good pleases the worthy Creator. (Romans 12:11; Hebrews 12:12; 1 John 3:2)

Lord, in light of the end, may I be thoughtful and intentionally faithful today. Help me live out Your character and show forth Your glory.

“In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had cleansed the land.., [Josiah] sent… to repair [and restore] the house of the Lord his God… While they were bringing out the money that had been brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord… and gave [it] to Shaphan. Shaphan brought the book to the king…

“When the king heard the words, he tore his clothes.., ‘Our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord…’ ‘Thus says the Lord,.. because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words.., and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord…’

“Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders.., all the people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found… [He] stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep his commandments.., with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book. Then he made all who were present… join in it… And Josiah took away all the abominations that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 34:8,14-16a,19,21,24a,27,29-33

Earnest Josiah, the king foretold three centuries earlier, set his heart to seek God when he was yet a boy. He served Judah according to the light he had, but when the Book of God’s law was found and read, it changed the way he built his life. Its truths brought conviction, humble fear, and action in this wise leader, engendering blessing and new commitment for him and his people. It captured them for all his days in a beautiful, benevolent stronghold. (1 Kings 13:1-2; 2 Chronicles 34:3; Psalm 36:9)

For us, the Word is readily available as our light, making a difference every day for every step. We might hide it away, falsely assuming that previous study or early knowledge suffices forever, but power comes from expending effort to find and read it today. Its living words are designed and able to warn, instruct, expose, cleanse, and strengthen. (Psalm 19:7-11; 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)

How easy it is to get caught up in the building and maintaining of busy lives! We tuck the Word back to get lost and dusty on a shelf behind more urgent responsibilities, we fill minds and schedules to crowd it out, we misplace and try to substitute its vitality. We neglect God’s word altogether because we’ve decided, consciously or not, that there are more important things. And we are the weaker for all.

Do we set out daily with a bang of motion, expending energy on tasks that do not matter, or first search the Scriptures to direct our priorities? How will we fill our personal temple of the Spirit with the Word, and commit to its statutes? How distinct, radiant, and influential our lives would be if the Word took precedence! (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)

Father, may Your Word have its way with all my heart and soul, all my days.

“Manasseh reigned fifty-five years…  and did what was evil.., according to the abominations of the nations. He rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had broken down, and erected altars to the Baals, and made Asheroth… He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. He burned his sons as an offering.., and used fortune-telling and omens and sorcery, and dealt with mediums and necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger… Manasseh led Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem astray, to do more evil than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before Israel.

“The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought upon them… the army of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon. And when he was in distress, he entreated the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly… He prayed.., and God was moved by his entreaty… and brought him again to Jerusalem… Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.

“Afterward he built an outer wall for the city of David.., and raised it to a very great height. He also put commanders of the army in all the fortified cities in Judah. He took away the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, and all the altars that he had built.., and he threw them outside of the city. He restored the altar of the Lord and offered on it sacrifices of peace offerings and of thanksgiving, and he commanded Judah to serve the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 33:1-3,5-6,9-16

Decades of depraved idolatry, sorcery, blasphemy, and steering a nation away from the LORD. Manasseh was by every appearance and practice irredeemable. Rebuffing God’s mercy-sent prophets proved a heart hardened beyond softening and a life beyond repair. But nothing is impossible with God. Relentless in His pursuit, and acting in so only He could receive the glory, the Lord hooked and chained His way into the recesses of Manasseh’s conscience, and transformed him. (Luke 1:37)

None is too distant that the Almighty cannot pursue and redeem. When God goes after a lost soul, He will not cease until He has accomplished His saving work. He uses whatever necessary to ensure complete turnaround and surrender.

Have we so distorted our worship and sin-sullied ourselves that we believe we’re lost forever? Does shame or regret restrain our ‘yes’ to God’s nudges and pulls? His mercy is sufficient to cover our sin, and His grace powerful to vanquish its inclination. Once His eye is set, He will not give up. How long until we surrender? (Hebrews 10:12-14; 1 John 1:9)

Do we try to dictate or limit the ways God woos His own? Would we recognize and rejoice that He uses both proclamation and bronze chains, feathers and whips, and prescribes what is necessary to bring about His holy ends? (Malachi 1:2)

Whom do we long to awaken to His salvation call? Do we faint in prayer, impatient with their resistance? While we may not understand how or why God tarries, we can trust He will be glorified best by His marvelous plan. (Galatians 6:9; Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16-18)

Lord, may I never give up hope for Your possibles. May I pray without ceasing, and with sure expectation, for the sake of Your glory.

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do…

“’I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world… For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me… While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them… I have given them your word… I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them.'” John 16:1-4,6,8,12,14,26

Jesus, in His seemingly young and short life, persisted in every particular of the work He had been sent to do. He was timely, measured, and focused, and knew as His earthly ministry drew to a close that He was right on schedule. Being continually about His Father’s business, He wearied Himself with long days, but never tired of doing the work. Intent on God’s will, He was never frustrated or over-burdened, but in fact knew He had glorified Him in carrying out His assignment. (Mark 6:31-32; Luke 5:16; John 4:6)

As we close a year, it is wise to look back and consider how we have handled the time God has given. Over the months, have we worked His work or our own? Are there things undone that we can tend to this day? Are there missed opportunities that weigh heavy, but that we need to confess, leave with Him, and leave behind?

Looking ahead, what new vistas for His glory might the Lord have in store? What would it take for us to be able to rest each night knowing we have accomplished the work God had for us to do that day? If every morning we committed every hour to Him in prayer, that we might manifest Him and His truth, He would direct and ordain our steps. If our intent is to glorify Him with the authority He has entrusted to us, and honor His name above and in spite of our own, His Spirit will guide our decisions. He will honor an earnest desire to guard His causes, His people, and His work, for His glory. (Psalm 32:8)

How wholeheartedly am I working the Lord’s work? Do I grow weary in doing good, or of doing good? When God calls me to a certain task, where does my focus- on my audience, my motive, or my desire- need adjusting, so that I am doing all as unto Him? (Galatians 6:9-10; Ephesians 6:7-8; Colossians 3:23)

Lord, may my work be wholehearted and complete in every way, so that the world may know that You sent me, and love them. (John 17:23)

“Uzziah was sixteen years old when he began to reign…  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…

“God helped him against the Philistines and the Arabians and the Meunites. The Ammonites paid tribute to Uzziah, and his fame spread.., for he became very strong. Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem… and fortified them. He built towers in the wilderness and cut out many cisterns, for he had large herds,.. and he had farmers and vinedressers in the hills and in the fertile lands, for he loved the soil. Moreover, Uzziah had an army of soldiers, fit for war… In Jerusalem he made machines, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and great stones. And 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, with eighty priests of the Lord who were men of valor, and they 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.” 2 Chronicles 26:3-5,7-10a,11,15-19a

The Lord is generous and gracious in favor to His children. At an early age, king Uzziah sought Him, following his father’s example. With God’s help, he prospered with his military and bolstered his defenses, skills, and reputation. His fame spread throughout the region but began to seep its stain on his heart. It’s hard to know what exactly made him turn- a famous victory? An accolade or tribute? The ease of prosperity? A sense of having arrived, or being indispensable, or singularly important? Maybe it was a slow growing belief that he had done this himself.

His heart was not whole. The constant drip of success brought a trickle of pride that, unstopped, made its insidious way in and saturated his instincts and reason. He dabbled in what he had no right to touch, and his thickening callouses refused God-sent correction.

The Lord has His eye on mankind and our individual hearts. He delights to help, but will not share His glory. He recognizes the slow spread of pride, and goes after us in mercy and love. He longs to set us free from encroaching self-sufficiency so we are free indeed to keep Him first. (Isaiah 42:8; Zechariah 9:1b; John 2:24-25; 8:34,36)

Have I crept into that hideous and dangerous place of thinking too highly of myself, or that I own those things over which I am merely a steward? Where am I ignoring God’s warnings, His kind checks of conscience? Would I regularly practice gratitude, and state my insufficiency before His all-sufficiency? (Romans 12:3)

Lord, may I remember daily that every success is yours. May I trust wholly in Your help, and give You praise for every goodness from Your hand. May others always see and say that You have done it. (Psalm 22:30-31)

“And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.  And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying,

‘Worthy are you to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God
    from every tribe and language and people and nation,
and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,
    and they shall reign on the earth.’

“Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, 

‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing!’

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, 

‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’

“And the four living creatures said, ‘Amen!’ and the elders fell down and worshiped.” Revelation 5:6-14

“And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel.” Revelation 8:3-4

This mysterious and glorious picture of the throne of the Lamb shines forth in a unison of praise. Elders, living creatures and myriads of angels surround the Worthy One, with new and ongoing songs of honor and blessing to the divine and majestic Regent. Bowls full of prayers- the hopes and fears and longings and praises of numerable saints through the ages- are offered at the altar. Their pleasing aroma satisfies the One who satisfied our redemption and satisfies the human heart and personality. He who sits on the throne victorious is rightful owner of honor and power.

Filling moments with praise gives days of vision and joy. Yielding to Christ’s rightful place in and over us enriches the meaning of every pursuit.

Would we approach the throne? Would we set aside the sideways glance at differences to gaze at the Holy One, slain for us and all our pettiness, and lift high His might and worth? Would we bring a new song of gratitude and trust, awakened insight and fresh praises for all He is and has done? Would we join the worship of thousands times ten thousands in exalting the only true King of kings and Lord of lords? (Revelation 19:16)

Lord, may I boldly set aside lesser occupations to worship You as the only Sovereign, whose honor and eternal dominion are worthy of my praise, and life. (1 Timothy 5:15-16)

“In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered…  And Joseph went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'” Luke 2:1,4-14

When asked a favorite thing that made Christmas special, a friend said, “I awaken every day so thankful for Jesus, and His grace and gift of salvation, that He would come for me… that I celebrate Christmas every day.” In other words, everything about Jesus makes Christmas not only Christmas, but special, and daily. Journeying to Bethlehem, bowing over the Christ child, standing in awe at the heavenly hosts, marveling at their shout of Glory, hushing at the Savior’s peace, all keep Christmas in our hearts. When we contemplate Christ-mas, mas from the Latin missa– ‘dismissal,’ we celebrate Christ’s giving of Himself for us and sending us out to be His body in the world. Indeed, Christmas every day!

Christmas is pregnant with wonder and joy, yet Jesus came for so much more than His earthly birth. We marvel at Christmas every day when we see God in the manger of daily doldrums; the Carpenter calling fishermen and discipling a chosen few, including our ordinary selves; the Divine touching and healing untouchables and our hurts, and with those same hands washing His disciples’ feet and our heinous hearts; Jesus praying for His own, and in Gethsemane agony, and over us; and the Savior of the world giving up His spirit on a cross for sinners across time. He lives in and for us, pours out eternal life, and is coming again. Christ is worthy of every day merry. Lift high our voice! (Matthew 4:18-22; 26:36-42; Mark 1:40-45; John 13:4-5; 14:16-18; 17:6-18; 19:28-30; Romans 8:27,34; Revelation 22:20)

How can we celebrate Christmas anew? With what fresh wonder will we walk the road to Bethlehem, hover at the manger, or stand in reverent fear in the God-lit fields? With what new melody will we praise the Highest, and how with that same voice spread His peace in our homes and circles of influence?

Lord Jesus, instill in me the wonder and joy of Your coming and giving, and be exalted in Christmas glory every day.

“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha… So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.’ But when Jesus heard it he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.’

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was… Then Jesus told them plainly, ‘Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’

“Jesus said to [Martha], ‘Your brother will rise again… I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ She said, ‘Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world…’ Jesus wept. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’

“Then Jesus, deeply moved again, came to the tomb… [and] said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha said, ‘Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days.’ Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone…. He cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’ The man who had died came out… Many of the Jews therefore believed in him.” John 11:1,3-6,14-15,17,21,23,25-27,35-36,38-41,43-45

This is a love story between Jesus and His friends, us included. As is true with much of life, intense love means intense pain, and sadness. But from the start, Jesus saw (and procured) the glory in it. He saw the lessons, He saw the important picture they needed in their minds to prepare them for what was ahead. So in His love, He stayed, and waited. That’s what He does with and for His friends. (John 15:15)

Jesus had His disciples wait so they observed His serenity in a larger purpose. He stayed to give everyone time to contemplate deeper things, to agonize over Lazarus’s death and to long for life, restoration, and heaven. He allowed suffering that identifies us with Him as we share in His succor. He allowed time to relinquish the ability to do anything, to cast themselves helpless on Him, to turn their eyes from the present situation to the Lord, from whom comes all help. Salvation’s meaning shines and faith flourishes as they rise from death and decay. (Psalm 121:1-2; Philippians 3:10-11)

What is our undefinable place of pain and waiting and uncertain future? Our current urgency? Our present grief? Do we believe Jesus is interceding for us and actively working? He hears our spoken and unspoken, and orders the clock and circumstances as long as it takes to set up and unfold His glory. Will we trust His timing and mysterious ways, knowing He loves us to death, and back? (Romans 8:28,34)

“He comes to make his blessings flow
far as the curse is found.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, teach me learn the lessons You teach while I long for Your coming. May I see and promote Your glory in every circumstance.

“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.
As for you also, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
    I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.
Return to your stronghold, O prisoners of hope;
    today I declare that I will restore to you double…

Then the Lord will appear over them,
    and his arrow will go forth like lightning;
the Lord God will sound the trumpet
    and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south.
The Lord of hosts will protect them…

On that day the Lord their God will save them,
    as the flock of his people;
for like the jewels of a crown
    they shall shine on his land.
For how great is his goodness, and how great his beauty!” Zechariah 9:9-12,14-15a,16-17a

Rejoice! Shout aloud! Behold the coming Christmas King and be glad! He comes bearing gifts to His children that are ours to enjoy now and forever!

See Him? He is humble, and comes not in pomp and tinsel and loud festivities, but in the quiet- slowly and humble, gaze-able, with loving eyes on our level. What flurry of do-lists and frenzy block Him from sight? What urgent tasks stress and distract as though more important?

And see what He brings, right into our busyness and mess? Righteousness. Salvation. PEACE. Because of His atoning blood we are free from all that binds and worries and weighs on us. Free indeed! He is the covenant- keeping King, regent over every circumstance and detail and concern. He comes with the key to release us from imprisonment to bitterness, discord, and lies. He fills our waterless places with springs of living water. He replaces our angst with hope of restoration, of becoming all He made us to be. (John 7:38; 8:36)

See Him appearing in the whirlwind? He’s right here with us in our suffering, gentle, calm, controlled, strong. He marches forth into our uncertainties. He protects His own in every new snip of dissension, sting of criticism, and pull of temptation.

See His beauty in the grace He extends, the love and saving He pours out over His wandering sheep? Feel His delight, hear His song, relish the grace and affection of His sanctifying hand? (Zephaniah 3:17)

What rearranging need we do in our minds and schedules to behold our Savior? What can we turn off, put aside, or say no to in order to see Jesus? He is coming, and He is nigh. If we would look, we will not be able to stifle the glad praising shout. Our King appears, and rules, and abides. His resplendent beauty should bear in our praises and on our every expression.

My King, keep me beholding You with a still heart, and rejoicing with a full one. May I ever proclaim and shine Your beauties and peace in all my world.

“And the word of the Lord came to me:  ‘Take from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah, and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon, and go the same day to the house of Josiah, the son of Zephaniah. Take from them silver and gold, and make a crown, and set it on the head of Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And say to him, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Behold, the man whose name is the Branch: for he shall branch out from his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. It is he who shall build the temple of the Lord and shall bear royal honor, and shall sit and rule on his throne. And there shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.’” And the crown shall be in the temple of the Lord.” Zechariah 6:9,11-14a

“For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Branches come from trunks come from roots, bearing their sap and strength as they reach skyward, growing stable enough to hold weight yet always stretching higher. Temples are sanctuaries of worship, yet in God’s divine ordinance, also the seat of His government. These apparent dichotomies are exquisitely unified in the Person of Jesus, our royal King and Great High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14-16; Revelation 17:14; 19:16)

Only this Ruler, only in God’s kingdom, reigns and mediates the Perfect One, uniting both roles in peaceful counsel to His own. The grace of peace. The peace of reconciliation between sinner and Savior, between men and men. Indeed, the supernatural union of God and man in the incarnated Christ is a picture of reconciliation in itself: humanly impossible, yet gloriously and irrefutably manifested. (1 Corinthians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:5)

What bearing does Christ’s counsel of peace have in us? Into what cavity of angst, what barrenness of love, what nest of dread or dissension need we welcome His coming? What control need we relinquish in order to prepare room and rein for Him who arrives bearing royal honor?

And how can I multiply grace and peace to others in His name? (2 Peter 1:2-4)

“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 th’angelic hosts proclaim,
‘Christ is born in Bethlehem!’

Christ, by highest heaven adored,
Christ, the everlasting Lord,
late in time behold him come,
offspring of the Virgin’s womb:
veiled in flesh the Godhead see;
hail th’incarnate Deity,
pleased with us in flesh to dwell,
Jesus, our Immanuel.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
risen with healing in his wings.
Mild he lays his glory by,
born that we no more may die,
born to raise us from the earth,
born to give us second birth.

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

Lord, hone in me Your divine nature, that Your counsel of peace become mine. Compel me to bring grace and peace and joy to others in Your name. (2 Peter 1:2-4)