#Advent #endtimes
It came to me as I was thinking about joy and the sense of joy around the coming of Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih, as a little vulnerable baby. What a joyful and wonderful event it was, for those expecting and welcoming the coming.
Though it was not for all. Herod sent word that all new born baby boys were to be killed. Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus, fled to Egypt.
Isn't that amazing! The LORD God- Yahweh- killed all the first born baby boys of the Egyptians, because Pharoah would not let the Hebrew slaves go. Now the Holy family seeks refuge there in Egypt.
God uses amazing means and diverse ways to accomplish His good puposes. That is why joy is so fleeting for we humans, expecting God to work in our preferred way at our preferred time. No joy is a part of faith, and faith does not see things the way we expect or prefer.
Heb 11:17-40 "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Yes, the first Advent did not bring completion-pefection, but through it the ending is assured and in all circumstance, in comfort and strife, whether having needs provided or lacking, we can have joy. Absolute Love is come and is coming again.
Joy brings about a need to sing, I will try to bring a different son each day this week.
Psa 126 "A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
It came to me as I was thinking about joy and the sense of joy around the coming of Jesus Christ, Yeshua Messiah, Isa Al Masih, as a little vulnerable baby. What a joyful and wonderful event it was, for those expecting and welcoming the coming.
Though it was not for all. Herod sent word that all new born baby boys were to be killed. Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus, fled to Egypt.
Isn't that amazing! The LORD God- Yahweh- killed all the first born baby boys of the Egyptians, because Pharoah would not let the Hebrew slaves go. Now the Holy family seeks refuge there in Egypt.
God uses amazing means and diverse ways to accomplish His good puposes. That is why joy is so fleeting for we humans, expecting God to work in our preferred way at our preferred time. No joy is a part of faith, and faith does not see things the way we expect or prefer.
Heb 11:17-40 "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated-- of whom the world was not worthy--wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect."
Yes, the first Advent did not bring completion-pefection, but through it the ending is assured and in all circumstance, in comfort and strife, whether having needs provided or lacking, we can have joy. Absolute Love is come and is coming again.
Joy brings about a need to sing, I will try to bring a different son each day this week.
Psa 126 "A Song of Ascents. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us; we are glad. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negeb! Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."
Joyful, joyful we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love,
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
hail Thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest.
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the Joy Divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began,
Father love is reigning o'er us,
brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward,
in the triumph song of life.
God of glory, Lord of love,
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
hail Thee as the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
fill us with the light of day.
All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
earth and heav'n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
call us to rejoice in Thee.
Thou art giving and forgiving,
ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
ocean depth of happy rest.
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
all who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
lift us to the Joy Divine.
Mortals, join the mighty chorus
which the morning stars began,
Father love is reigning o'er us,
brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward,
in the triumph song of life.
Public domain
Music-Ludwig Von Beethoven
Lyrics Henry Van Dyke
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