What a wonderful time of year! Christmas is a time for celebration, singing, rejoicing, and expressing how important the relationships we have are to us. The value of each relationship is not only expressed by the gift(s) we give to friends and family far away; But, the value we place on each relationship is displayed and felt through our words and actions. In the same way, our Heavenly Father displays and reminds us of His love for us and how much He both desires and cherishes His relationship with each one of us. He (The Lord, our Heavenly Father) displayed His love for us when He sent His Son (Jesus) for us, and even told us what He was going to do long before it happened; to lift up our spirits by giving us hope or encouragement. Look at the Words the Lord spoke through Isaiah:
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB) For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.
This is the reason for the season… Jesus our Lord and Savior has been born to us (Luke 2:11-20). A time dedicated to remembering God’s fulfillment of His promises to us in our lives, and for reflection on our relationship with Him. He (God, our Heavenly Father) has done and continues to accomplish, all He’s said He will do (Isaiah 55:11).
Jesus, also, accomplished all that His Heavenly Father purposed for Him to accomplish. The answer to how Jesus was able to accomplish the Lord’s Will is contained within the last sentence in Isaiah 9:7 (NASB); The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this. Not a passion, enthusiasm, or devotion that is associated with selfish ambition or described in Scripture as fleshly desires; as the fleshly type of zeal will never produce results that are just and righteous. In order to have the God kind of results, the perfect in every way (complete and lacking nothing) results that we desire to experience, our zeal must be in alignment with the Lord of hosts.
The Son of God (Jesus) lived every moment of His time on earth consumed by the zeal of the Lord and for His Father’s House (Psalm 69:9; John 2:17); eagerly desiring to do, or bring to pass, all the Heavenly Father had commanded Him only as the Father commanded Jesus (John 5:30; John 6:38). He (Jesus) only did the things that were pleasing to the Father (John 8:28-29). In fact, Jesus was so determined or driven by His desire to live the life God wanted His Son (Jesus the Christ) to live, accomplishing all of His Heavenly Father’s will (also known as obedience) that He wouldn’t allow periods of what we would consider uncomfortable or disagreeable circumstances prevent Him from completing everything He was commanded. The delight, motivator, encouragement, and focus of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is to do His Father’s will (Psalm 40:8; John 4:34); promptly and completely.
As our pattern and example, set in Jesus, we should have this same consuming desire…The zeal of the Lord. Ensuring we are diligently checking our heart to ensure it is aligned with His will and commandments for our life. This exact example is provided in Scripture through two special servants of the Lord, in Elijah (1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14) and David (Psalm 119:139; Psalm 119:137-144 for a greater contextual overview). Not that these two servants of God were more special than anyone else, as these were men with no distinguishable difference than us (James 5:17) the Lord holds everyone to the same standard (Romans 2:9-11; Colossians 3:25); however, acknowledging Elijah and David had a significant role and calling on their lives. They examined themselves to make sure they measured up to the standard set by the Lord…The standard set forth for us in Jesus Christ.
In all things, The Word of God tells us to see how we measure up with Christ- examine ourselves (with the aid of the Holy Spirit) to see if are we living our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. (Ephesians 1:22-23; Ephesians 4:13; Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 2:5-18). Being obedient to our Heavenly Father at all cost(s); accomplishing everything He commands us with zeal (Ezra 7:23). During the 2019 Christmas Season and before the new year, utilize every opportunity to reflect on your relationship(s), both, with God and His people; and to renew your zeal in Him.
Merry Christmas!!!
Comments