Last week we talked about the word, “come.” Christmas is about God coming to us and showing his love for us in very practical ways! God still comes to us, and he is coming back to us again someday, which leads us to today’s keyword, “promise.”
Christmas is a sign of God’s love!
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it. (John 3.16-17)
It was promised long ago!
All right then, the Lord himself will choose the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel—‘God is with us.’ (Isaiah 7.14)
“God with us” is one of God’s greatest promises! No matter where you go, God will be with you. In fact, some of Jesus’ parting words were "I will be with you always, even to the end of the age." What a promise! (Read Isaiah 9.1-7)
"His love endures forever!"
I love the phrase, “His love endures forever!” It’s a common phrase in the Old Testament, which says you can count on God’s loyalty, devotion, and faithfulness to always be there!
What does God’s promise mean for us?
God is at work in us, the Church, and the world! I am so grateful that God is at work in our lives, and that we get to be involved in God’s work in the world. And the good news is that God will complete the work he has started! In fact, God has a wonderful future in store for those who love him! See Jeremiah 29.8-14 and 1 Corinthians 2.9 (quoting Isaiah 64.4).
How should we respond?
With bold, confident faith! And with eager expectation (remember Simeon and Anna in the Temple, when Jesus was presented there for the first time?)
How’s your faith?
Four times in the gospels, Jesus uses the phrase, “O ye of little faith” (KJV). Each time, these statements were made at times of miracles. Jesus is challenging us, and calling us, to faith that God will do amazing things!
Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses. (1 Kings 8.56)
Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever. (Luke 21.33)
“I do believe, but help me not to doubt!” (Mark 9.24)
For furhter reading: 2 Peter 1.1-20