“Why did He do it?”
As we enter the final days leading to Christmas day, I have asked myself, over and over…Why did He do it? Why did Jesus leave a perfect Heaven and surrender his majesty to be born of a poor virgin girl, and a man of simple means. Born in, of all places, a cold cave, filled with the filthy smell of farm animals and laid in a feeding trough to sleep…I cannot keep asking myself “why.”
Don’t get me wrong, I know why, in my mind and in my heart. I am a seminary trained and an ordained minister of the Gospel…I know why…However, as I explore the deepest expanse of my heart that one word question “Why” still resonates within me.
As I have been reading the various cards from those who love me and my family and who send wonderful tidings of joy, I still ask find myself asking “Why.”
I believe I found the answer best expressed in the words of author John Piper. Piper captured the essence of the answer to my one word question in the title, and in the the pages of his book Looking for the Consolation of Israel. The one word question “Why?” can be answered with a one word answer, “Consolation.” I know when most of us hear the word consolation, we think of a parting game show gift. That, however, is a poor and skewed understanding of this powerful word, and its answer to my one word question.
Piper wrote: “Jesus was born, the voice of God became flesh and dwelt among us. And what the voice said was, ‘Console, console my people.’ The consolation that God’s anger is past…the consolation that our heavenly Father has a tender affection for us in our weakness…the consolation that our sins are pardoned and ’cast into the depths of the sea’ (Micah 7:19)”
What an incredible God we serve!
Have a Merry Christmas and enjoy the “consolation” of our wonderful God and savior Jesus!
The Virtue of Gratitude
This morning I spent several minutes in my quiet time with God, studying Pslams 103. I especially found that this biblical text in The Message paraphrase of the Bible provided a clear lens in which to view how God has deeply blessed me.
I did something that I’ve begun to learn is a powerful spiritual discipline…I prayed to God by journaling Psalm 103 as a prayer offering to Him. It helps put many things into perspective. Take a look at how much we have to be grateful for, all of which God has provided for us:
“O my soul, bless God. From head to toe, I’ll bless his holy name! …He forgives your sins—every one.
He heals your diseases—every one.
He redeems you from hell—saves your life!
He crowns you with love and mercy—a paradise crown.
He wraps you in goodness—beauty eternal.
He renews your youth—you’re always young in his presence.
God makes everything come out right;
he puts victims back on their feet… God is sheer mercy and grace;
not easily angered, he’s rich in love.
He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold,
nor hold grudges forever.
He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve,
nor pay us back in full for our wrongs.”
Psalm 103 (The Message)
Too often, at least for me, I get caught up in the frustrating events in my life, and fail to give God the praise He desires and deserves…We all have so much to be thankful for. I made a list of some of the things and people I’m grateful for, and I thanked Him for them. If you have a few minutes today, take some time to list some important things and people in your life, which you’re grateful to God far, and praise Him by thanking him with a grateful heart.
