And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13-14
I don’t know about you, but one of the most difficult challenges I face is my attitude during seasons of waiting. I’ve never liked waiting. I avoid going to the grocery store if I think the lines will be long. I avoid customer service phone calls where I need to be put on hold. I even avoid cooking certain foods if it requires an unusual waiting period.
During seasons of waiting, I always seem to start strong. Somewhere in the middle, though, I lose heart. I begin looking at the situation searching for an answer. This causes me to get my eyes off God. Somewhere in the middle I begin to question, try to fix, calculate the outcome, or “help” God. The middle is the most difficult time during seasons of waiting.
Psalms 27 says… “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed.” Wow, the “unless I had believed” part really jumps out at me. My faith seems to get shaken the longer I wait. If I could just continue with the same faith I started with.
That is exactly what God is saying to you and me today. We’re called to have the same faith throughout the waiting. He wants us to have courageous faith discussed in Psalm 27. He wants us to have the kind of faith that causes renewed strength to well up in our hearts and take over our entire being. Waiting wouldn’t be so difficult if we would keep our focus on God. We also may not have to wait as long if we don’t try to take God’s job away and make it our own. We often mess things up. This causes delay for God’s perfect outcome.
May God bless you and renew your strength as you continue to wait with total reliance on His will and plan.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13-14
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:13-14 NIV
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I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! NKJV
Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you. Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? Psalm 56:3-4
It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
Last night I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I’ve seen it more times than I can count and still cry every time. I’m always drawn to the gripping scene where George is holding Mary full of anger and passion and declares to her… “I wanna do, what I wanna do.” He had so many big plans that didn’t include Bedford Falls or getting married.
It was during the anger and passion that he finally gave his life to her. He knew that once he married her, he was giving up all HIS plans, and surrendering to his father’s plan of staying in Bedford falls and running the “Ol building and loan.” George was facing a critical moment and a wrestling within of doing what he wanted or surrendering to the love of his life, which he also wanted.
This is such a beautiful representation of our own surrender to Jesus. Just as George surrendered to his love for Mary, when we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we are surrendering our heart to Him. Just as George finally settles down after marrying Mary, He next completely surrenders to what his dad wanted him to do by managing the building and loan. After accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we finally can surrender our plans to do our Father God’s plan. We sometimes wrestle within because we want our plans, but we want His plans, too.
Eventually George is put in a position to see how his dad’s plan led to a really wonderful life. It was not perfect in any way. It wasn’t glamorous, nor did it include money or things. It was a life full of helping others and being surrounded by love.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a
We hoard our resources. We hold on tightly to whatever it is we feel is getting us through the trials and tests of the day. Eventually, we reach the end. There’s nothing left to hold except the hand of Jesus. It turns out, that’s the best thing we can possibly do.
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
