Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23, ESV
All that goes wrong in this world, all of the people who are unfaithful and betray us, we know, because of prophecy and Christ’s resurrection, that God is faithful and will never leave us. With the promised seal of the Holy Spirit in us, we can hope for the future as we love out our faith today.
I don’t normally make a big deal about this particular day of the year. I prefer to dwell on January 9, the day I became a believer in Jesus as my Savior.
What is special of this day?
Well, on October 26, 1983, I was born.
As I turn two score years old, it occurred to me that this year I will have spent two and half times longer as a Christian than not as a Christian. I was 16 years in the spiritual wilderness when I first bent my knee and confessed Jesus as Lord. This coming year, I celebrate 24 years walking as a disciple of Jesus in the Promise.
I may have completed 40 revolutions about our Sun, but I await eternity wrapped in the love of The Son.
And I am thankful for our God’s love and grace, for all the gifts He has given, especially for eternal life. (And a loving, God-fearing wife who helps me grow and stay on the straight-and-narrow. And I await greeting my mother once more in His presence.)
yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:11, ESV
Our God came and died for us, and He raised Himself to life again for our justification and hope.
That same God fills us as a promise of that hope and that we may spread the hope of our Redeemer.
“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”
Ephesians 6:2-3, ESV
We honor as parents as fellow image-bearers of God, but also because the Holy Spirit leads us to love them as a sign of our love for our heavenly Father and His Son who loved Him and died for us.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6, ESV
The promise is not that God would make a visit to us. God has come, and He is reigning over Earth from Heaven through His Holy Spirit-filled Church.
Let us spread the Kingdom of our God who is with us.