Advent Reading~ In His Word ~December 14, 2020
Are you afraid this year will change things forever? It already has really, but are you accepting it or are you afraid? It is okay if you are, some of the great names in history were afraid at some point and God still used them! Today I want to tell you that whatever you are facing; “Do not be afraid …” let's face it we can trust God...He is
the voice of truth!
Zacharia was told, do not be afraid…Mary was told, “Do not
be afraid”, the Shepherds were told “Do not be afraid” and even Joseph was told
“do not be afraid”. Each one of these people were given an angelic visit that would
have scared most of us silly! They had their lives completely changed in that
moment! The biggest thing they did was accept the things they were afraid of as
of God.
Sometimes we are presented with something bigger than we
think we can handle. This time of what they call a ‘pandemic’ is something that
has caused a lot of fear in people. The fear of getting sick, the fear of
death, the fear of being stuck at home, the fear of not mattering in the scheme
of things. That last one is a valid and very much hidden fear that many people
have. Most do not even share it, and at this time of year they often tend to
feel it more than not. So many celebrations go on, work parties, home parties
light viewing parties… but with all those things there are many who are stuck
at home alone now. They either have lost their significant other or just never
found one yet, and so they are alone in the world as far as they know it. Mary
could have felt alone. If Joseph had chosen not to believe the angel or not to
listen to his direct information. He wanted to divorce her quietly but chose to
obey the angel and marry her anyway. He was blessed to help raise God’s son,
though we do not read much about him other than that he was a carpenter after
the birth of Jesus and his 12th year trip, Joseph just fades away. He
had a purpose in God’s plan. We do too! Even if it is just to hand a fast-food
bag to a homeless person with a sign, or to help a little old lady cross the street,
God has a plan for each of us.
We just need to pay attention to know what it is! Listen for
the quiet voice or the loud voice whatever God directs you with, but He has
chosen each of us reading this today for His purpose. No matter what importance
it is, the main thing we need to do is focus on doing what He has given us to
do and accept it as it comes. Wow! That sounds but is not always easy!
God told the people of Israel when they were being held in
Babylon that He knew what was going on and that He would again bring them to safety
and restoration! He will do the same for us if we seek Him and listen to Him.
He will listen to our prayers and he will deliver us as well!
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They
are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In
those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you
will find me. I will be found by you,”
says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will
gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to
your own land.” Jeremiah 29:11-136
Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes,
careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. … While
Zechariah was in the sanctuary, an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing
to the right of the incense altar. Zechariah was shaken and overwhelmed with
fear when he saw him. But the angel
said, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Luke 1:6-13
Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel
could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found
favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name
him Jesus. Luke 1:29-33
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields
nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord
appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They
were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I
bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes,
the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And
you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in
strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Luke 2: 8-12
Do not be afraid, trust God and obey His directions, however
they come to us, in His Word, in visions, in songs, via the Holy Spirit God can
do anything to get us to take notice! Seek Him and pray today, find the peace
you are seeking.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not in your own
understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-7
In Jesus’ name…