Don't Miss the Chance

~~~ Isaiah 7: 10-14 ~~~ Psalm 24 ~~~ Luke 1: 26-38 ~~~

 

"...for nothing will be impossible for God."

 

These were the final words spoken to Mary

by the angel Gabriel sent from God.

Whenever we are tempted to fall into the trap of thinking all is lost;

that there is no hope...these words should bring us

the hope we so desperately need.

Nothing is impossible for God, but at the same time

he does not do all the things we want him to do.

Furthermore he rarely acts within our timetable for results.

 

Mary, while prepared spiritually for this angelic encounter

feared that physically it was not possible.

The angel quickly gave her an explanation...

 

"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you..."

 

Most people today would not find that a plausible explanation.,

but Mary was satisfied...she believed

that what the angel of God said was possible.

 

The angel goes on to reveal more seemingly

impossible news about her relative, Elizabeth, being with child too.

 

God had carefully laid out his plan for salvation.

And if he needed some impossible events to occur for this plan to work

he set them into motion.

 

We may be confined within the boundaries of nature, but

for God no such boundaries exist.

 

Mary had the child like qualities that we all admire...

She had big dreams for her future and

her heart remained open to all things being possible.

 

By contrast Ahaz had withdrawn into his small world;

even when urged to ask for a sign from God he shrank from

the possibility of God granting such a request.

 

Before giving God a chance to answer him Ahaz.

Ahaz missed the chance to have the impossible experience with God.

He made God too small.

 We too are sometimes guilty of doing the same...

making God too small.

 

 

If we believe that nothing is impossible for God

 we must break down all barriers...

especially the barriers of our heart.

We must open ourselves, as Mary did,

to the unfathomable.

 

What is it that you think God cannot accomplish?

Is it health, relationship, monetary, spiritual?

 

Mary said okay God if you say this is possible that I should be with child

without having relations with a man then

let it be done unto me.

 

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."

 

The Holy Spirit bursts forth the impossible bringing it into the present.

Are you ready to have an impossible experience with God?

Don't miss the chance!

Who Holds the Power?

~~~ Isaiah 10: 5-7, 13b-16 ~~~ Psalm 94 ~~~ Matthew 11: 25-27 ~~~

It is not often that we are given two readings that so vividly contrast in sentiment.

In the Isaiah reading God has had enough with Assyria.

He will not entertain any ridiculous power struggles.

God says I am the God here and you are not.

Stop pretending to be something you will never possess.

Instead of boasting in and of yourself; consider what I, God, can bring forth.

Whatever amount of power you may think you have God surpasses.

God does chose to give certain powers to his chosen ones...

healing, forgiveness of sins, casting out demons.

After the psalm we move from God's ability to impose his power

on whole nations

to this tender loving gospel of Matthew.

 At that time Jesus exclaimed:
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows the Son except the Father,
and no one knows the Father except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

Now we are given the picture of God as the loving father.

The concept of his power has been framed as that of a gracious loving father.

How can this be the same God?

In one picture he is slaying armies like a giant and in the next

he places you in his lap.

Jesus is giving praise to the father out of love for him; not because of fear.

God does want us to love and respect him.

God does not want us to cower down in fear that his wrath will come upon us.

Should we have fear of the Lord?

Does fear of the Lord serve a purpose?

Would you rather love God and keep the commandments,

or keep the commandments because of fear?

If you want to get into a power struggle with God then you had better

be prepared to accept the consequences in fear.

On the other hand if you want to live loving God

then you must love others.

Children have the most extraordinary ability to trust those who love them.

We forget how wonderful it feels to be able to relinquish

power and place our trust in someone else...

namely God.

For many years in my teaching career I was blessed to witness how trusting

young children are with others. I think it is natural to be trusting

until you learn to be otherwise

through life experiences.

It is humanity that teaches us being childlike is a waste of time.

Every time someone breaks a trust our disbelief grows until we are wary of everyone...including God.

It is only when we can rely on God and climb into his lap that

we can ignore the whole power issue.

God alone has the power to provide what is lacking in our lives.

Let him take control of your life; you will have more peace.

We are like helpless children when we are not keeping our heart, mind,

body and soul in his presence.

He alone has the power to make all things new...

will you let him?