This Christmas has presented our family with the most serious challenges we’ve ever faced—only one of which is a biopsy my husband is having tomorrow. Others I do not have the freedom to write about now. I know that many of you are facing challenges as well. So, I thought I’d just share some scriptures that have carried me in these last weeks.
Two verses from Ecclesiastes: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men…” (Ecclesesiastes 3:11) “Anyone who is among the living has hope…” (Ecclesiastes 9:4)
From Philippians: “And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)
Isaiah 35:3-6, “Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.”
No matter what else is happening, it is a time to celebrate God sending Jesus to the world to rescue us. In Psalm 77, David lamented his desperate situation for many verses, then in verse eleven and twelve he says, “…I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.”
So, I’m meditating on all that God has done for us in Jesus and how he has shown himself mighty through the ages. In particular, I’m rejoicing and giving thanks for His faithfulness to our family for many, many years.
In the last words of John Wesley, “The best of all, God is with us.” Yes, Emmanuel has come to save us, to be with us. That truth lights my world brighter than the gingko trees on any dark December night.