Psalm 119:74
Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:74
With the year ending, we were recently invited to a small gathering about 30 minutes away from where we live. We met the usual traffic delays getting to the house. It was already dark due to the shortened daylight hours in fall. It was misting rain. The kind you get in the South in December.
We arrived safe and comfortable. The conversation was delightful, and it was fun to hear about everyone’s family and the recent updates since we had last met. Each household there attends different churches so there were updates on community and upcoming events and plans.
I had taken a moment prior to that evening to think about being invited to such a gathering. My past has not always included being invited to such a gathering. Redemption has taken place in my life and attending such a meal with such godly men and women as not always been part of my past. It is not often that I proactively consider being part of such an occasion. But this time, I did think about the relevance of being invited to such a gathering.
I even awkwardly tried to express my gratitude to being included in such a grace-filled, redemptive family gathering of brothers and sisters in Christ. It is important to note that without Jesus’s intervention in my life, I would not be a part of such a moment. I verbalized my thankfulness to the group which was met with polite deflecting, but I was honest. Me being invited to such an event is an enormous testimony to what God has done in my life that should not go unnoticed.
It is humbling to consider that Jesus came down from his throne in heaven to provide a way for God to reconcile His children back to Himself. Even though I was His enemy, “He loved me.”
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. – 1 Timothy 1:15 ESV
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. – Romans 5:10 ESV
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16 ESV
“Those who fear you…” I was born into a family that feared others more than they feared God. They taught me that what other people thought of me was more important that following the God of the Bible. I am eternally grateful that the Holy Spirit responded to God’s call on my heart and resurrected me from being “dead in my trespasses.” (Eph 2:5).
“…shall see me and rejoice,” It is a joy to sit and share a meal with my brothers and sisters in Christ. My new family teaches me, loves me, cares for me, corrects me, encourages me, and enjoys me. This is no small miracle knowing where I have been in my past. It is a mystery as to how God has started, been committed to, and is dedicated to bringing my transformed life to completion. (Phil 1:56)
“…because I have hoped in your word” The common denominator in all of us around the dinner table that evening was our love for the God of the Bible. The Truth of Scripture found in the person of Jesus Christ is where our hope lies. It is Jesus’ return that keeps us actively waiting, abiding in faith, hope, and love. (1 Cor 12:13)
As the Advent season of waiting ends and the infant Jesus has arrived in the manger in Bethlehem on Christmas, we enter a new liturgical season. “The Feast of Epiphany celebrates the appearing of the Son of God among us as one of us – both fully divine and fully human.” *
I encourage you to take inventory of how God’s presence in your life has changed you and those around you. I pray that the revelation of the God of the Bible in your life will shine forth and you will see more clearly the path God has you on, for His glory and your good.
If you have more questions about your life and the friend group you find yourself with, Burke Care would love to talk with you. We would love to hear your story.
*Desiring God, “The Irony of the Epiphany” by David Mathis
Father God, thank you for adopting me into your family and putting so many wonderful people around me. I need You and I need healthy, safe community around me. I want to love You more and to love those You have placed around me more. Grant me all the love, grace, and peace to walk in this calling You have on my life. Amen.
…even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved...
– Ephesians 2:5 ESV
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
– Philippians 1:56 ESV
So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. – 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV
Application Questions:
1. In what ways do I still feel shame about the things I do and the crowd I run with?
2. How can I break from my life of former sin and walk in the truth of God’s grace in my life?
3. God, are you good? Why do I run back to the things I do not want to do so easily?
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