Issue 1138 – A Journey – January 8, 2024

The local assembly we attend has started the New Year off with  21 days of prayer and fasting. The congregation has been invited into a corporate journey of intentionally seeking the Lord and His will.

The materials for that journey include a prayer and fasting guide, which contains suggested daily readings from the Word. Yesterday’s reading was Luke 1-2 and Genesis 1-3:19.

It is a large chunk of Scripture that covers the creation of everything in the material universe, the fall of humanity, the promise of a redeemer through to the coming of Jesus and follows him to age twelve, where he astonishes the religious teachers with the depth of both His questions and His answers.

It reveals why we need a Saviour and who that Saviour is.

Kathy and I read those passages and discussed them in the evening before bed. There is enough material in them that a pastor could preach for six months or more and not come close to exhausting the depths of what is taught there.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Christians debate the hows and timing of that event. Was it a literal six days, or did it occur over an extended period? Of course, that is important to consider, but the key is in the first four words … “in the beginning, God.”

The Lord is the cause of creation and the overseer of all things. He designed us and has plans to reunite us with Him.

The Saviour is promised; admittedly, it is cryptic and much more revelation is required before we learn who it is.

“The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you above all livestock and above all beasts of the field; on your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring;  he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” Genesis 3:14-1

The Christ is announced.

[the angel speaks to Mary] “ … you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:31-33

The Christ is confirmed.

[Simeon speaks at the temple] “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32

Christ grows in human form.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favour with God and man. Luke 2:52

From nothing outside of God to everything, from ruin to redemption, and from promise to incarnation, this is the story of humanity’s journey with God.

Of course, we know the rest of the story from the rest of the Scriptures. The Christ grows to manhood while living a sinless life. He begins His ministry, is murdered, rises from the dead and ascends to heaven, where He prepares a place for us.

Still, even without that knowledge, we can see God’s love for His creation and His promise to redeem us.

My dear friends, that incredible power and love are things to meditate on and celebrate.

May you rejoice in Him.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the Glory of God alone)

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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