The 9th Day of Christmas

Posted on 19. Dec, 2009 by Jim Peters in Hearing God - Jim's Daily D

Luke 2:10-20

¹⁰ The angel said, “Don’t be frightened! Sure enough[1], I bring good and very happy news for[2] all people. ¹¹ A Saviour who is Christ (which means “anointed[3]”), the Owner and Master was born today in David’s city. ¹² This is the sign for you – you will come across a baby wrapped in strips of cloths and lying in a feeding trough.”

¹³ Then a huge number of heaven’s army appeared with the angel and they were praising God, saying,

¹⁴ “Glory and honour to God in the highest,

And peace among men who he is pleased with.”

¹⁵ When the angels went away into heaven the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go[4] to Bethlehem now and see this thing that has happened, which the Owner and Master let us know (about).”

¹⁶ So[5] they quickly came and found Mary, Joseph and the baby (who was) lying in a feeding trough. ¹⁷ (When) they saw it, they let (Mary and Joseph) know (about) the things (that they) were told about regarding this little child. ¹⁸ And everyone[6] who heard it were amazed (at what) the shepherds had been told.

¹⁹ Mary kept all these things to herself ant went over them[7] in her heart. ²⁰ (Meanwhile) the shepherds went back praising and honouring God for all they had heard and seen, just as they were told.

[1] “see/behold” [2] “whoseoever/who” [3] “Messiah” in Hebrew [4] Pass through/travel the road that leads to/go through” [5] Also/indeed/even” [6] “all” [7] “throw together/confer/discuss”

Application

Although it’s healthy to have an awesome reverence and fear of God, I am not to fear him and the sense of being frightened of his judgement. His is going to judge, but now he comes to bring me life if I will adopt his ways. The first words of the angels were “Don’t be afraid.” I am to be in awe of God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but I also have the freedom as his little child to come right up to him and sit on his lap, knowing he loves me and has my best at heart.

Seeing God will bring a desire to praise him and honour him. If I continue to look at my circumstances and wallow in all the bad things that have happened, I will never see God and I will never thank him. However, if I begin to look for all the good things that God has done, then I will find them and see how great he is. The natural reaction to God’s goodness and greatness is to praise him and thank him.

Starting with the gift of Jesus, His Son, who saved me from eternal death and destruction, I have so much to thank God for. Why, with such a great God, would I get worried, depressed, angry and desperate?

God promised to provide for every need and he is definitely able. He controls all heaven and ultimately will bring all creation back into his control. He gave earth to man and we sort of messed it up, but there is victory over God’s enemy in Christ… He didn’t stay a baby for long!

Prayer

Father, thank you! Thank you for your gift of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for freedom from slavery to sin. Thank you for all you provide and all you do for me. Please help me to set my eyes on you and not the things around me. Please help me to realise that I don’t provide for myself, but you provide for me. Fill me Holy Spirit and enable me to be your person.

IJN Amen

Jim Peters

The 9th Day of Christmas

Leave a reply

A Thought