The Bible comes alive, when you just read it like a story... the story of a spotless Savior saving a faithless, sinful world...beautiful.
"Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear. (vs1-2)
Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. (vs 8)
For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us;
…We know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. (vs12)
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. (vs15)
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought him salvation,and His righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (vs17)
“The Redeemer will come… to those…who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord." (vs20)
Fast forward the script...Jesus has come, lived and died on the Cross. And then...
Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not overtake us; we hope for light, and behold, darkness, and for brightness, but we walk in gloom. (vs 8)
For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us;
…We know our iniquities: transgressing, and denying the Lord, and turning back from following our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart lying words. (vs12)
The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. (vs15)
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then His own arm brought him salvation,and His righteousness upheld him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. (vs17)
“The Redeemer will come… to those…who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord." (vs20)
Fast forward the script...Jesus has come, lived and died on the Cross. And then...
Romans 5:6-11- "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation."
What parent wouldn't take sickness from their child if they were able? Most of us would even take on their sickness if it meant they would be well. Some have faced tragedy or terminal illness with their children. I can imagine they've been, at times, desperate to carry the affliction themselves if it meant their child could live a healthy, happy life. The thing is, we are sick… our hearts destined for destruction. Without that special day: the birth of Jesus, we would be forever condemned, assured an eternity apart from God. If He had not been willing to roll up His sleeves and take on our sin and sickness upon Himself, crucifying it on the Cross, we'd be left in the darkness…stumbling through life with no hope.
I remember when Owen was little, just learning to walk. He would call me every morning after he woke to come to his room, lift him out of the bed and turn on the light. You know to this day, at six years old, I still carry him from his room every morning. I've asked him why he still calls me. Ater all, he IS older, clearly able to walk himself to the kitchen. He answered, "Because I feel safe and loved. And you can reach the light switch in the dark."
Which one of us would leave our children crying in the dark, with the light switch out of reach? You would turn on the light…and once the room was illuminated, you would surely guide them to safety, even if it meant you had to carry them.The gifts we give our children may bring a smile to their faces this Christmas, but can it bring a light to their hearts? God gave us the greatest Christmas gift of all time-- a Redeemer, a great light in the darkness… Hope. Promise. Blessings. Eternal security. Our Lord is our Savior, but He is also our Father, and we, His children. He has provided the Light and He is guiding us to safety, even if He must carry us there.
"Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
What parent wouldn't take sickness from their child if they were able? Most of us would even take on their sickness if it meant they would be well. Some have faced tragedy or terminal illness with their children. I can imagine they've been, at times, desperate to carry the affliction themselves if it meant their child could live a healthy, happy life. The thing is, we are sick… our hearts destined for destruction. Without that special day: the birth of Jesus, we would be forever condemned, assured an eternity apart from God. If He had not been willing to roll up His sleeves and take on our sin and sickness upon Himself, crucifying it on the Cross, we'd be left in the darkness…stumbling through life with no hope.
I remember when Owen was little, just learning to walk. He would call me every morning after he woke to come to his room, lift him out of the bed and turn on the light. You know to this day, at six years old, I still carry him from his room every morning. I've asked him why he still calls me. Ater all, he IS older, clearly able to walk himself to the kitchen. He answered, "Because I feel safe and loved. And you can reach the light switch in the dark."
Which one of us would leave our children crying in the dark, with the light switch out of reach? You would turn on the light…and once the room was illuminated, you would surely guide them to safety, even if it meant you had to carry them.The gifts we give our children may bring a smile to their faces this Christmas, but can it bring a light to their hearts? God gave us the greatest Christmas gift of all time-- a Redeemer, a great light in the darkness… Hope. Promise. Blessings. Eternal security. Our Lord is our Savior, but He is also our Father, and we, His children. He has provided the Light and He is guiding us to safety, even if He must carry us there.
"Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask thee to stay
close by me forever, and love me, I pray;
bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there."
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