Author: astherainandsnow

“While staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father,.. ‘you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’

“So when they had come together, they asked, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?^‘ He said, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and… to the end of the earth.^‘ When he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven.., two men in white robes, said, ‘Men.., why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’

“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem… And… they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.” Acts 1:4-14

So much had happened and shaken their world. Their Teacher had been crucified, resurrected from the dead, and lifted to heaven, having promised a soon-coming baptism with the Holy Spirit. They wondered at the new assignment He’d conferred, the announcement of His return, and what their lives and mission would look like going forward. In the midst of unknowns, the apostles gathered in one accord to pray. Harmony in the discordant moment among those called and composed by their Master was key to preparing for next steps in His absence.

A habit and natural response to chaos of prayer does much for the shaken soul. When the unexpected and unexplained jolts our calm and unsettles plans, our best resort is gathering to the Lord. If we’re not devoted to one another and prayer, we’ll stew in isolation and anxiety. Worshipping and beseeching Him together clarifies vision, faith, and resolve.

What is currently disturbing my world? A health diagnosis or ongoing debilitation? A tenuous job or financial situation? Relational or cultural stresses? What uncomfortable or surprising revelations have threatened unity in fellowship? What is my default reaction in these cases?

Jesus’s followers, knit closely together by commitment to Him, were trained to rely on one another and to go to Him in need. Together they’d been taught and stretched and promised. Their getting away to the upper room to seek Him in one accord is exemplary.

How and when do I practice communion with my Lord? With whom do I have a trusting iron-sharpening-iron relationship, honed through common service, where we draw close to the Lord together? How will I foster an accord of devoted friendship that honors and spreads the light of Christ? (Proverbs 27:17)

Lord, in a disruptive world, help me participate in and promote the accord your Holy Spirit gives.

“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1-2

“Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12

As John concludes his remarkable vision of heaven to close the holy scriptures, and sets out to describe the lush, flourishing trees, he starts with the sparkling river of the water of life. The tie between the two is inextricable. All fruit is borne of the life source of living water, roots nestled at its banks, branches reaching heavenward, leaves opening green and wide to the sun. The trees constantly bear forth varied fruit, offering delight to every eye and healing to all, and between all, nations.

If you hear the rippling and are drawn to that clear, flowing river, it is there you see the life it gives. Where there is fallow ground of soul, hope and desire can spring forth. Where there is spiritual, intellectual, or emotional drought, life comes. When growth is stunted by resentment, hurt, regret, or malaise, the Lord of life issues nourishment that stretches and strengthens. (Revelation 22:14,17)

What is our relationship to the River? Could we be described as a tree of life? Are we deeply rooted near the Living Water, rinsed with cleansing, drinking in and meditating on God’s word, and exhibiting- in demeanor and action- a vibrant life? Are we consistently bearing fruit of love and grace, firmness and forgiveness, wisdom and comfort, compassion and joy and peace? What healing do we offer to the broken, hurting, sorrowing, disenfranchised? (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 1:8)

How will we practice sending down and keeping faith roots deep near Christ’s life-giving water so we continually grow and bear good fruit? The leaves adorning our life should be desirable, nourishing, and strengthening, delighting sight and spiritual palate for all with whom we interact. Are we more known for provincialism, narrow living, prejudice, or for open arms offering delectable fruit of encouragement and blessing, and healing in relationships and understanding with those close to us as well as distant peoples? (Luke 6:43-45)

Lord, draw me ever near, and grow me into an ever flourishing tree of life for all I encounter, that they taste of Your fruit and see that You are good. (Psalm 34:8)

“A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, ‘Give me a drink…’ The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?..’  Jesus answered her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, “Give me a drink,” you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.’  The woman said to him, ‘Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?  [O]ur father Jacob gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.’  Jesus said, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’  The woman said, ‘Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.’”

“On the last day of the feast,.. Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”’ Now this he said about the Spirit.” John 4:7,9-15; 7:37-39a

The beautiful paradox of Jesus’s invitation and promise melds immediate with continual with forever. His ask for a drink was the first drop of hope for this needy outcast, and his continued conversation a douse of cold water to her thirsty soul. The One who at first was parched was the One who could satisfy her spiritual thirst forever. To be slaked with living water was desire impossibly met, more than she ever imagined.

We are an innately bereft people with continual need, met and fulfilled by an everlasting Savior whose Spirit continually flows for and toward us. Because He entered our conversation millennia ago to grapple with our sin problem, we can find in Him true and lasting satisfaction of every dearth. We are alone? He comes to converse. We are ashamed? He comes with compassion and looks on us with loving eyes. We lack purpose? He asks us to serve Him. We are confused? He leads us to truth. We have doubts? He invites our faith.

Where do we look for soul satisfaction? What thirst can we entrust to Christ’s ever-flowing fountain of grace, goodness, love? When we drink deeply of Him, our life rhythm becomes constant security, continual refilling, continuous praise. (Ephesians 5:18)

“Come, thou Fount of every blessing;
tune my heart to sing thy grace;
streams of mercy, never ceasing,
call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet,
sung by flaming tongues above;
praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it,
mount of God’s unchanging love!

O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.” ~Robert Robinson (1758)

Lord, fill me with Your Spirit to overflow with Your living water to a thirsty world.

“’I have loved you,’ says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have you loved us?..’ ‘I have loved Jacob but Esau I have hated…’ Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, ‘Great is the Lord!..’

“You say, ‘How have we despised your name?’ By offering polluted food upon my altar. But you say, ‘How have we polluted you?’ By saying that the Lord’s table may be despised. When you offer blind animals in sacrifice, is that not evil? And when you offer those that are lame or sick, is that not evil? Present that to your governor; will he accept you or show you favor? says the Lord… For from the rising of the sun to its setting my name will be great.., and in every place incense will be offered to my name, and a pure offering. For my name will be great among the nations, says the Lord. But you profane it when you say that the Lord’s table is polluted, and… its food… despised. You say, ‘What a weariness this is,’ and you snort at it… You bring what has been taken by violence or is lame or sick… as your offering! Shall I accept that?.. Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock, and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord what is blemished. For I am a great King, says the Lord of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations.” Malachi 1:2-3a,5,6b-8,11-14

With conversational reasoning, the prophet unsettled self-centered complacency by exposing convoluted thinking and false conclusions. Israel failed to understand God’s gracious and particular affection for no desert of hers. Therefore, with a conflated view of self and low view of Him, they did not recognize their subpar offerings and polluted worship. Eyes of the heart fitted with a lens of God’s greatness and holiness see everything differently.

Attitude, words, and behavior reveal what we value, how we view God, what we think of ourselves and our relationship to Him. Many, stoked by pride, greed, or insecurity, crave significance and do all we can to justify our actions and existence and make ourselves great. The world promotes and applauds this mindset.

But for those beloved of God and saved, the heart knows and exhibits a different story. We’re daily humbled by God’s undeserved affection, and desire to give Him our best and all. We seek His glory, not our own, delighting to magnify His greatness and renown. In practical deliberation and duties, which describes me?

God’s name will be exalted whether we fear it or not. Will we choose to be among those who live only for today and ourselves? Are we self-absorbed, asserting rights, cutting corners, incessantly arguing? Or will our lives be enriched and have eternal significance because we worship the great God in spirit and in truth? It takes a deliberate de-throning of self to enthrone the high and Holy One in every aspect of life. When are we meditating on and how are we exalting His greatness? (Malachi 2:2; John 4:24)

“Great and amazing are your deeds,
    O Lord God the Almighty!
Just and true are your ways,
    O King of the nations!
Who will not fear, O Lord,
    and glorify your name?
For you alone are holy.” Revelation 15:3-4a

Great and worthy King, captivate me always with a high and holy view of You so I honor You in affection, word, and deed.

“The word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, ‘Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins? Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways. Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and that I may be glorified, says the Lord. You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house. Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the hills, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors.”

“Then… the people obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him. And the people feared the Lord. Then Haggai, the messenger of the Lord, spoke to the people.., ‘I am with you, declares the Lord.’ And the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel.., and of Joshua.., and of all the remnant of the people. And they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God,¹⁵ on the twenty-fourth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.” Haggai 1:3-15

The Jews returning from Babylonian exile started to rebuild God’s temple, but soon gave up to focus on their own resettling. Their immediate gratitude and enthusiastic spiritual priority drifted to selfish attention. Haggai’s message illuminated their slide to neglect of supreme things and pointed out the reason for their lack of satisfaction. Putting self before the Lord never renews the heart nor nourishes the soul, but actually leaves us feeling empty and wasted.

Consider your ways. What self-appointed or -directed activities occupy our time and energy, occupying our best efforts? Do we find ourselves spent, empty, purposeless, unfulfilled? If we paused to assess, in light of God’s word, what might He illuminate about misplaced motives? Fruitless desires? Spiritual apathy? Meaningless occupations? It takes wisdom and faith to build for Him first, and in heaven’s economy, as He is trusted and exalted, we are enriched and fulfilled. (Haggai 2:4-9)

Looking to the fresh start of a new year, when will we set aside time to consider our ways with the Lord, and commit to tending the structure of our relationship with Him? What will we invest to make it glorious? How will we build greater intimacy with Him, and more focused expression of His love? How will we practically put Him first in will and duty so He is magnified and our satisfaction in Him feeds us for all He appoints?

Lord, stir my spirit to be wise and willing to consider my ways regularly, and to align every priority with Your presence and glory.

“Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of the assembly and spread out his hands… Then he knelt… and said, ‘O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven or on earth, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart…

“’Will God indeed dwell with man on earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you..!  Yet have regard to the prayer of your servant.., O Lord my God…

“If your people are defeated before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and acknowledge your name and pray and plead with you.., then hear from heaven and forgive… and bring them again to the land…

“When heaven is shut up and there is no rain.., if they pray and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, then hear and forgive.., and grant rain upon your land…

“If there is famine,.. pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar,.. whatever plague, whatever sickness, whatever plea is made by any man.., each knowing his own affliction and sorrow and stretching out his hands, then hear from heaven and forgive and render to each whose heart you know.., that they may fear you and walk in your ways all [their] days…

“If they sin and…  repent with all their heart and soul.., maintain their cause and forgive… 

“’O Lord God,.. let your saints rejoice in your goodness…
    Remember your steadfast love.’” 2 Chronicles 6:12-14,18-19,24-31,36,38-39,41-42

King Solomon was unique in wisdom, wealth, and renown, and nurtured an intimate relationship with his God. Having been blessed with bounty beyond measure and completed the construction of the temple, he knew every gift was from above and God alone was perfect Ruler. Men were sinners, and the Lord their only worthy Advocate. Solomon at this point took no favor for granted and humbly acknowledged man’s very real need for heavenly intercession, and prayed accordingly. (2 Chronicles 1:11-12; James 1:17)

We hum along in the pluck and pace of life deeming ourselves ok. Unless there is some drastic disaster or unusual need, we can be smug and self-sufficient and take little time to pray. We slide into a groove of desert and esteem that occludes a clear view of reality. Actually, we are wretched sinners saved and kept only by grace. Challenges will arise and bad things will happen, even to God’s beloved, and we desperately need realistic mindset and practiced response. (Romans 3:23; 6:23; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:12-13)

Where are we taking God’s favor and bounty for granted? Do we take no regard for personal or universal sin, and pompously assume immunity to its consequences? Do we chafe and grouse at troubles, or accept evil from Him as well as good, believing His purposes are redemptive and sanctifying? How well do we know, and how fully do we depend on, God in prayer? (Job 2:10; James 1:2-4)

Systematic study of God’s word, regular confession and intercession in prayer, and consistent fellowship in the church will impart a realistic view of life and a humble approach to its author and sustainer. By these the Lord is honored and pleased to answer. (2 Chronicles 7:14; Colossians 1:16-17)

Father, keep me realistic in my understanding and faithful in my dependence on and praise of You. 

“The Lord God had planted a garden in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

“A river watering the garden flowed from Eden… The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:8-10,15

“[Jesus] went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden called Gethsemane, which [they] entered… Jesus… began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death…

“‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” John 17:1; Mark 14:32-34,36

“Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus… He was accompanied by Nicodemus [who] brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes… Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen… At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb… They laid Jesus there.” John 19:38-42

From the beginning of the scriptures to the end of Jesus’s life, gardens held importance in God’s providence. John, who traced Jesus’s life from eternity past, ties His part in creation to His place in redemption. The place of perfect beauty and splendor became a place of impassioned wrestling and surrender became the place of poignant waiting and wonder. The fall in Eden necessitated the angst in Gethsemane which made way for Christ’s burial and resurrection. (John 1:1-4; Luke 24:1-8)

The splendor of gardens is that, though there are seasons they lie fallow, they are places of delight and beauty and hope and rest. God is always at work in the unseen, and shows forth His glory in the seen. Which garden holds special meaning for us today?

Are we at a fresh beginning, with nascent wonder of the new thing God is doing in our life or that of a loved one? Do we expect a re-awakening of spiritual hunger or inspiration to apply God-given talent? What work can we rejoice in today?

Perhaps we’re in a place of wrestling, sorrow, or pain. How steadfast are we in prayer, how persistent to endure? How willing are we to yield to God’s perfect will?

Maybe we’ve come to the place where we need to put away unpleasing attitudes or habitual practices that stifle gratitude or destroy relationships. Are we willing to bury past grievances, bitterness, temper, greed? What needs binding up in mercy and putting away forever? How can we sow love, joy, goodness, and faithfulness instead?

“Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming
From tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse’s lineage coming
As men of old have sung.
It came, a flower bright,
Amid the cold of winter
When half-gone was the night.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
With sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
The darkness everywhere.
True man, yet very God,
From sin and death He saves us
And lightens every load.” ~German 15th century

Lord, may I welcome and bloom in every garden You appoint, to Your glory.

“[Abijah] reigned for three years in Jerusalem… Now there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam…

“’You think to withstand the kingdom of the Lord in the hand of the sons of David, because you are a great multitude and have with you the golden calves that Jeroboam made you for gods. Have you not driven out the priests of the Lord.., and made priests for yourselves like the peoples of other lands? Whoever comes for ordination with a young bull or seven rams becomes a priest of what are not gods. But as for us, the Lord is our God, and we have not forsaken him. We have priests ministering to the Lord who are sons of Aaron, and Levites for their service.  They offer to the Lord every morning and every evening burnt offerings and incense of sweet spices, set out the showbread on the table of pure gold, and care for the golden lampstand that its lamps may burn every evening. For we keep the charge of the Lord our God, but you have forsaken him. Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with their battle trumpets to sound the call to battle against you. O sons of Israel, do not fight against the Lord, the God of your fathers, for you cannot succeed.’

“Jeroboam had sent an ambush around to come upon them from behind. His troops were in front of Judah, and the ambush was behind them.  And when Judah looked, behold, the battle was in front of and behind them. And they cried to the Lord, and the priests blew the trumpets. Then the men of Judah raised the battle shout. And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.  The men of Israel fled before Judah, and God gave them into their hand… They relied on the Lord, the God of their fathers.” 2 Chronicles 13:2,8-16,18b

Abijah’s reign in Judah is marked by a raised voice. With armies opposed and enemy troops prepared to ambush, he found successful resistance in words of truth and pleas to God. Defenses were set based on God’s promises, and deliverance was won with a battle shout to the Lord. God on high hears and heeds the cries of His people! (Psalm 34:17; 50:15)

Today’s culture is set at high volume for argument, attack, cursing, all variety of verbal battle. We howl about our complaints, we shout for our causes, we berate those we hate. But the Lord would hush us to see that the only shouting He sanctions is the bold proclamation of His truth and scrying aloud to Him in prayer and praise. (Psalm 98:4-9; 107:6)

What habitual or impulsive fighting words would God obliterate from us? Will we confess the root causes of pride, selfishness, greed, resentment, and our tight-fisted right to hold on to them? When will we allow the Lord to uproot these pesky enemies, and how can we replace them with words of affirmation, gratitude, holy surrender?

Our victories in this life are won in Christ the Victor. Are we giving Him room and free rein to reign so we can win life’s battles in confident joy? How might we be an example to those who follow us? Where are we shouting His glories and praises so all can hear and echo their truths, and overcome? (2 Chronicles 14:11-12)

Father, fill my mouth with prayer and praise, and may every victory be unto Your glory.

“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins  in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:1-8

Every soul since Eden has been conceived and born and enslaved in sin. Into this bleak cold the Lord Jesus broke through by grace, and with grace. The glory of His beautiful perfection in the boldness of His blood shone against the colorless backdrop of life without hope, bringing fulness of life with eternal hope. (Genesis 3:19; Psalm 51:5; Ecclesiastes 3:20; John 1:16; Romans 5:12,15-19)

In the winter, air is cold, days are bleak, growth is dormant. In what we see and feel much seems dead, immobile, without hope. Inertia wanes still, hearts chill, inspiration sleeps. But there is a glory. Into the deepest and darkest the Lord Jesus came, and the darkness could not overcome His light. In the greatest of paradoxes, the crimson red of His lifeblood washed away the darkest sin to become white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18; John 1:4-5,14)

What circumstances or outlook presently broods bleak? In what situations do we prefer to hibernate and not deal with the conflict, the need, the pain? Where do we feel spent and dry, dormant in love, motivation, gratitude, a servant spirit? Too much inner focus will result in a midwinter of soul, for without Christ we are helpless flesh.

Do we desire revival? What if we turned from spiritual sloth and slumber to our Savior Friend and sought it? His love warms the most frigid heart, His grace transforms bitterness and disdain, His mercy spreads peace over shame and regret, His power ignites passion for compassion, service, creative and constructive industry. He designs our very circumstances, however bleak, to showcase His glory. Will we invite Him in to have His way?

“In the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone:
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.” ~Christina Rosetti (1872)

Lord Jesus, thank You for entering the bleakness of man to revive and redeem us. Please intrude in every area of my life that I can show forth the wonders and glories of Your love to a hurting, needy world.

“‘Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered…’

“Between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain… 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..,
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 5:5-14

The Lion cub was born, the grown Lion conquered. The Root of David sprang up, the Root of David flourished as Victor. The Lamb was born on earth, was slain, and stands in heaven in regal power. What was promised has come to pass, and God’s people are the eternal beneficiaries.

Because of Jesus, the Mediator between God and man who rent the veil, we can pray. Because of Jesus, who conquered sin and death and their sting, we can sing a new song. Because of Jesus, risen and glorified, we can worship. Because of Jesus, our Advocate and Defender, we have living hope. Because of Jesus, who broke every barrier between man and men, we can join with myriads from every tribe and tongue and nation in fellowship and oneness in the Spirit. Allelujah! (Matthew 27:51; John 14:6; Romans 8:31-34; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57; Colossians 3:11; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 10:19-22)

Christmas changed everything. What will it change in us? What will we do with open access to the God of the universe? What shame or regret will we renounce? What brooding depression or niggling fear can be swallowed in triumphant hope? What prejudices, divisions, and barriers in relationships do we intend to conquer in Christ? With what fresh praise will we honor the Worthy One?

“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!’

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.” ~Charles Wesley (1739)

Lord, keep me alive in the vibrant hope and victory of Christmas.