What God Knows

"Knowing that I am not the one in control gives great encouragement. Knowing the One who is in control is everything." Alexander Michael

If you will recall, I have devoted this year to the study of the life and writings of Martin Luther. I like this guy. He is so human and yet so God-centered. He has a great sense of humor, which he sometimes misuses at the expense of his critics. He is a leader. He is a prayer. He is a thinker. But, what I like best about him is that he is a warrior. He goes after truth like a Hound dog on the trail of a coon. And, after he catches it, he holds on to it like a Pit Bull. The whole world and all of its demons and the devil himself may try to wrench it from his grasp, but he won’t let go. I want to be like that.

“The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder.” G. K. Chesterton

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.[ Luke 2:17-20]

It is very early Christmas Eve, 2009. I am sitting in my living room surrounded by three beautiful Christmas trees aglow with lights and decorations. I have deliberately moved my devotions here so I could “feel” more of the beauty of the Christmas season. The predawn darkness creates the necessary backdrop to facilitate the wonder of Christmas. There is a mystery in Christmas that transcends the traditions and commercialism and I don’t want to miss it. 

GETTING GOD'S PERSPECTIVE

Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. [Isa 40:27-28]

“The Lord made mountains to climb, not to look at, and up there one understands why- seeing the vista that most folks never see, with the sense of farness that most never feel.” Jim Elliot

Providence and Service

“Almighty God, just because He is almighty needs no support. Twentieth-century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, if not enjoyable, to believe we are necessary to God.” A.W. Tozer

When I was growing up in the church, it was a common thing to hear evangelists and missionaries attempt to motivate us to go to the ends of the earth to complete the Great Commission. I still remember one story that was designed to get us to leave all for the “sake of Christ and the lost.” It was told that Jesus was met by an angel as he returned to heaven. The angel asked, “Jesus, with you in heaven, how will the heathen in the world be saved?” Jesus answered, “I have established my Church and commissioned them to go to the ends of the earth.” “But, Jesus,” the angel queried, “What if your people don’t go?” What is the back-up plan?” Jesus hesitated, and then said, “I have no other plan.”