Waiting for the Messiah

For generations people waited,
longing,
expecting,
anticipating the promised Messiah,
But when He came, most did not accept Him.

“He came unto His own and His own received Him not.” John 1:11

People had their own ideas about what He would be like and what He should do.
So, when He came
from humble circumstances,
born to a young Jewish woman,
in a stable, no less!
and grew up associating with commoners, fishermen and the like,
eating with tax collectors and ‘sinners’…
well, that just wouldn’t do!

He performed miracles on the sacred day of Sabbath!
No real Messiah would possibly live like that!

And his teaching…
Submission to the authority of Rome?
Paying taxes to the foreign occupiers?
Not taking revenge?
Treating enemies with kindness?
No, no, no, and no!!

Riding into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey.
Where was the conqueror on the majestic stallion?

The final straw came when He did not resist arrest and forbade His followers to do so.
He was taken, tried, and crucified,
and that was that!

But was it?

One of His followers summed up their expectations this way, “We had hoped…” Luke 24:21.
Their hope was based on human understanding.
But human understanding is flawed.

Today many still base their hope on human understanding… flawed understanding… a hope based on personal reasoning or the words and teachings of others.
But that is false hope.
Real hope is based only on the true words of God Himself!

The hymnwriter, Edward Mote, put it this way in 1834:
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Looking around at the world today, we see chaos and confusion, despair, and discouragement.
As Christmas bells peal out the message of Christ’s birth, perplexed hearts find little reason to rejoice. But, once again, that is due to a misunderstanding of the meaning of that special birth.

The birth was only the beginning. God, becoming like us in every way, yet without sin so that He could take on Himself the punishment we deserve for our sins.

One of my favorite Christmas tree decorations has the words “Born for us” above a picture depicting the baby in the manger. On the other side of the ornament are the words “Borne for us” above a picture of the cross where Jesus, God’s Son, died taking the punishment for our sins! That tells the story – the reason He came, the reason we celebrate His birth. He came for us so that we could be reconciled to God.
And that …
THAT is a reason for Joy! We have hope!

This song, written by Norman J. Clayton in 1945, comes to mind:
“My hope is in the Lord who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.

For me He died, for me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.

And now for me He stands before the Father’s throne;
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.

His grace has planned it all, ‘Tis mine but to believe
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.”

May your heart overflow with Joy and rejoicing as you celebrate THE ONE who came for you!!

Merry Christmas,
Ruth

Soul Rest

This picture is from one of our trips to the beautiful country of Austria. The calm stillness of the water and the beauty of this spot speaks to me of peace and rest. So often what seems to swirl around us is the total opposite. We hear of unrest and violence, natural disasters, economic failures, sickness, chaos, confusion, despair. If we’re not careful we find ourselves caught up in the busy, craziness of it all. These things occupy our thoughts, disturbing our peace and troubling our souls. But that is not what Jesus calls us to. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and you shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28,29) He welcomes us – “Come, take, learn, find,” and in exchange He gives rest.

Does the idea of rest appeal to you right now? Maybe Summer was extra busy, and now Fall is here with back-to-school activities, events, work projects, and a myriad of other things demanding your attention and you don’t feel like you’ve had a break. You long to just stop and get needed rest … true, refreshing, energizing, ready and raring to get the day started, rest. Perhaps it’s been a long time since you’ve felt that kind of rest. And maybe you do need to get some physical rest and sleep! But even a good night’s sleep, although needed for physical health and well-being, does not bring true soul rest.

Maybe the key is in the word “come” because when we come to Jesus, He gives our souls rest. The kind of rest that touches our very inner being. The kind that means we don’t have to worry about tomorrow, we don’t take on tomorrow’s burdens today. But to find that deep inner rest requires stopping to sit at His feet, learning of Him, putting down the burdens we picked up and taking His yoke upon us. “Come, take, learn, find.” We do our part. He does His.

And when we do, we find He gives peace and rest, the kind sung about in this song written by Ira Stanphill in 1950

I don’t know about tomorrow I just live from day to day.

I don’t borrow from the sunshine for its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry o’er the future for I know what Jesus said,

And today I’ll walk beside Him for He knows what lies ahead.

Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand.

But I know who holds tomorrow and I know who holds my hand.

It’s that kind of rest that lets you know that even when things aren’t going right, when the burdens seem heavy, or sleep is elusive, your soul can rest because Jesus has it covered. He’s still sovereign over a world run amok. He sees, He knows, and He cares.

It’s rest that comes from knowing that no matter how dark the nights, or how grim the days, we have a secure future and a living hope.

We find rest that comes from knowing our Savior lives, our God’s not dead, and He loves us.

Blessings,

Ruth

“And He walks with me, and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own.”

(Lyrics from In the Garden, by C. Austin Miles, 1912)

RUN

Run into His arms

When trouble comes,

When feeling anxious or threatened with harm,

When sad, or lonely, or afraid.

There is no other place of comfort,

No other calm in the storm,

No other shelter,

No other place of rest,

But in Him, and Him alone.

He brings peace to an anxious heart,

Comfort to a grieving soul,

Strength to a weary body.

He soothes the questioning mind.

In Him alone is found the strength to carry on when it seems too hard.

His presence guides us along unfamiliar and uncomfortable paths.

He leads us where He’s already been – to places known to Him,

Places where we find exactly what we need –

Refreshment, Rest, Reassurance, Revival, Peace, Hope, and Purpose.

The song, Forever Reign, written by Reuben Morgan and Jason Ingram, was released in June 2010. The chorus says, “Oh, I’m running to Your arms, I’m running to Your arms, The riches of Your love will always be enough. Nothing compares to Your embrace. Light of the world forever reign.”  

So, make the choice.

As long as you’re running anyway … Run to Him! God, the Heavenly Father, loves you.

Blessings,

Ruth

Proverbs 18:10, Nahum 1:7, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 146:10, 1 Timothy 6:13-16

It’s a Choice

“We give thanks to Thee, O God, we give thanks!” Psalm 75:1(a)

Giving thanks is not always a natural response, especially when life throws you a curveball, or you are not feeling well, or you face difficult decisions, or… In tough times often the more natural inclination is to complain. But being thankful is not only commanded, it is also a choice. Sometimes it helps to reflect back on life and remember. Here are a few reasons I am thanking God today:

He is the Provider: He has provided for me my whole life. His provision is plentiful, life-sustaining, and satisfying. His provision is for now and for all eternity. (And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NASB) This is a whole topic in itself, and maybe I will blog about each of these points separately. Stay tuned.

He is the Protector: When I think back on all my travels (and we have traveled a lot!), the various places we have lived, the potential for harm and injury… When I acknowledge that at times I have been in danger – knowingly and unknowingly … I must thank Him for the many ways He protected me. (The Lord is your protector; The Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not beat down on you by day, Nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time and forever. Psalm 121:5-8 NASB)

He is the Peace-Giver: He fills my heart and mind with peace – in times of uncertainty, unpredictability – in times that otherwise could cause anxiety – He gives His peace to me, and I am thankful. (Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV)

He is the great Physician: So many times He was with me in illness, and He carried me through. He healed my broken bones, my childhood and tropical illnesses, viruses, and infections. He brought me through surgeries and post-op recoveries. (Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:2-3 ESV)

He is my Pace Setter: Although too often I try to run ahead, taking on more than He asks of me, He always reins me in and brings me back to the pace He wants me to keep. He sets the perfect pace – not too fast and not too slow. If I would only listen, ask, and wait, I would be better for it! (The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Psalm 37:23 KJV)

His is the Power enabling me to go on when I don’t feel like it. His power helps me persevere when I feel weak. It is in His strength that anything of value is accomplished. (I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 BSB)

He is the Perfecter of my faith (Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NASB)

He is my Go-To Place: He is the very place of peace, rest, and safety – where I can feel His Presence. He holds me near to His heart and I want to linger there. Yet so often I yield to distractions and run off chasing after this or that – things of unimportance – things that take my focus away from Him. Although I am always with Him, I do not always acknowledge or seem to be aware of Him – in and around me. (For in him we live, and move, and have our being… Acts 17:28 KJV)

The hymn, Near to the Heart of God, expresses it well:

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God,
a place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet, near to the heart of God,
a place where we our Savior meet, near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release, near to the heart of God,
a place where all is joy and peace, near to the heart of God.

Refrain:
O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
hold us, who wait before thee, near to the heart of God.

– Cleland Boyd McAfee (1866 – 1944)

As you reflect back on your life what will you choose to thank God for?
Blessings,
Ruth