"And all who heard it wondered
at the things which were told them
by the shepherds." Luke 2:18
"Wondered" -
This word /ethaumasah/, does not mean to question or doubt;
it means to marvel and be amazed.
These people had been "living in darkness ... in the land of the shadow of death ..." (Matthew 4:16 and Isaiah 9). Every generation since Adam had been waiting for the goodnews of the Savior.
Christ's birth was preceded by 400 years of silence,
preceded by 70 years of captivity in Babylon,
preceded by hundreds of years of teeter-tottering worship and idolatry under kings,
preceded by hundreds of years of oppression because of partial obedience under judges,
preceded by hundreds of years of slavery in Egypt,
preceded by a great flood
because "the wickedness of man was great on the earth"(Genesis 6:5).
Sounds like a long time to wait for a promise to be fulfilled.
- the curses and punishments doled out at the fall are found in Genesis 3:14-24
- write out the prophecy of the Messiah tucked into these verses
(What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong, scene from Madagascar)
"What have I done?"
Can't you hear Adam crying when his son murders his brother? He witnessed eight generations morally desintegrate, and it would be said in the ninth generation, Noah's generation, "that every intent of the thoughts of (man's) heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5).
"This is a nightmare!"
Yet Adam had the hope of God's promise. Through the years of darkness, hope shone brightly in miracles that foreshadowed the Messiah: an ark, a miracle birth, a son offered, a passover lamb, a way in the sea, a cloud by day, a fire by night, water in the desert, manna, a healing symbol raised for all to see,...
Hope was also found by other imperfect men that chose to seek God though they felt alone with the odds against them: Abraham going to an unknown country, Joseph in prison, Moses in the wilderness, David hiding from Saul, Hosea with an unfaithful wife, Jeremiah delivering a message to people who would not listen, Daniel taken captive to Babylon,...
In the midst of their trials they became living-pictures telling the world of the coming Messiah: a Father willing to sacrifice His Son, a Provider, a Deliverer, a King, a Loving Husband, a Prophet, a Prayer Warrior and an example of integrity and fellowship with the Father...
George Bailey, in It's a Wonderful Life, reminds me of these men of old. Like them, he was an ordinary man trying to do the right thing, but the pressures of life, caused by the oversights, mistakes, and sins of others, was nearly too much to bear, and in desperation he sought the Lord...
He prays, and what does he get? a busted lip
... and eventually, perspective
Could you use a little perspective?
- read these verses from Psalm 73 (especially note 2, 13, 16, 17, 21-26)
- record in your journal the verses that speak the most to you
An encounter with God changes everything:
We redefine significance and know our worth.
We trust God for justice and grace, punishment and reward.
We are freed from lesser dreams and awakened to a greater adventure.
Our superficial ambitions are forgotten and our deepest desires are fulfilled.
"Each man's life touches so many." - Clarence
Your life, like those already mentioned, as well as women like Sarah, Leah, Esther, Ruth, Lydia, Martha, the widow that gave all, the woman with an issue of blood, ... is significant.
Your prayers are significant to God, to His kingdom, to untold millions, because one life touches another, which touches another.
- if you have time, look up a few of these verses
- write the phrases that refer to God's "timing" or to "seasons"
Romams 5:6
1Timothy 2:5-6
Ecclesiates 3:1
Acts 17:26
Habakkuk 2:3
Genesis 18:14
Esther 4:14
Luke 18:7-8
Galatians 6:9
- write a "summary statement" about His timing, or a phrase from one verse to be a motto for this day
Do you feel like George Bailey? He prayed, was immediately punched in the face, and said, "That's what I get for praying"?
...or like Joseph, who obeyed his dad and wound up sold into slavery and thrown in prison?
...or like David, who was popular and playing a harp for the king, and suddenly found himself hiding in caves and pretending to be mad?
...or like Elijah, who had courage to take on the prophets of Baal, and yet became so tired, discouraged, and lonely he decided to run away and die in the wilderness?
Don't give up. You are in a spiritual battle, and there is more going on in your life, in the issues on your prayer list, and even in these 12 Days that you can imagine. There is much at stake. Trust God, and hang in there!
You are half way through your 12 Days of Prayer.
Pull out all your lists and apply the challenges from the last few days as you pray over your TOP 12 concerns again.
- seeking God (setting aside time in a quiet place) - Day 1 and 2
- remembering who He is and calling on Him by name - Day 4
- asking specific requests (praying, not just thinking or worrying) -Day 2
- giving thanks for what He has done and is doing - Day 3
- confessing sins, choosing to listen, and obeying His leading - Day 5
Ask the Lord to encourage you in your prayers by giving you His perspective.
Ask for better understanding of the situation, wisdom in what to ask, a vision or clear direction for the future... and end with "is there anything else, Lord?"
EVENING MEDITATION:
Our Father's world is a wonder, but YOU are His finest creation.
He knows your concerns, frustrations, and dreams.
Trust His timing.
You can be an especially bright light in this dark world when you hold on to God's promises in the trying times.
Wonderful Maker - Jeremy Camp
TOMORROW is the 7th Day, a day of REST!
I hope you will rest well tonight, trusting His will and timing for your concerns.
God bless you and keep you.
Restless - Audrey Assad
