December 25
Zechariah 8:1-23; Revelation 16:1-21; Psalm 144:1-15; Proverbs 30:29-31
Merry Christmas. As we consider Jesus’ coming to Earth we remember why he did this. He came so that we could have a relationship with God the Father. This has always been God’s desire, to dwell with his people, and through Christ, it was made possible.
Zechariah 8 speaks to God’s heart to dwell with his people when he says, “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.” God promised the returned exiles that he would live with them and manifest his glory among them. God promised to dwell with these discouraged people and to experience the transformation his presence brings. They were to walk in righteousness because the righteous, holy God was with them. His presence was to transform their attitudes, speech, desires, and pursuits. This heart to experience God’s presence is expressed by David in Psalm 144 as he looks to God as his rock, fortress, stronghold, shield, and refuge. Since God is with us we can rest in him through all of life.
Despite God’s desire to dwell with his creation, many people resist this. The response of the nations in Revelation 16 is to refuse to repent or glorify God. They choose darkness over light and sin over the eternal life of God. They chose to hide among rocks rather than walk with God. Such sadness, but every time we choose to sin, we are choosing this same path. So let us instead, run to God, experience intimacy with him, and dwell with him. The very thing that Christmas has made available to us.
Father God, thank you that Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us so that we might live with you. Help me to always draw near to you. Amen.
Question: How should the fact that God wants to dwell with you affect your life?
Merry Christmas. As we consider Jesus’ coming to Earth we remember why he did this. He came so that we could have a relationship with God the Father. This has always been God’s desire, to dwell with his people, and through Christ, it was made possible.
Zechariah 8 speaks to God’s heart to dwell with his people when he says, “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.” God promised the returned exiles that he would live with them and manifest his glory among them. God promised to dwell with these discouraged people and to experience the transformation his presence brings. They were to walk in righteousness because the righteous, holy God was with them. His presence was to transform their attitudes, speech, desires, and pursuits. This heart to experience God’s presence is expressed by David in Psalm 144 as he looks to God as his rock, fortress, stronghold, shield, and refuge. Since God is with us we can rest in him through all of life.
Despite God’s desire to dwell with his creation, many people resist this. The response of the nations in Revelation 16 is to refuse to repent or glorify God. They choose darkness over light and sin over the eternal life of God. They chose to hide among rocks rather than walk with God. Such sadness, but every time we choose to sin, we are choosing this same path. So let us instead, run to God, experience intimacy with him, and dwell with him. The very thing that Christmas has made available to us.
Father God, thank you that Jesus became flesh and made his dwelling among us so that we might live with you. Help me to always draw near to you. Amen.
Question: How should the fact that God wants to dwell with you affect your life?
Recent
Archive
2025
January
January 1January 2January 3January 4January 5January 6January 7January 8January 9January 10January 11January 12January 13January 14January 15January 16January 17January 18January 19January 20January 21January 22January 23January 24January 25January 26January 27January 28January 29January 30January 31
2024
June
Categories
no categories
No Comments