Thought for 4 December

 Hebrews 1:1-3

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 

But now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son.  God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance and through the Son he made the universe and everything in it.  The Son reflects God’s own glory and everything about him represents God exactly.  He sustains the universe by the mighty power of his command.  After he died to cleanse us from the stain of sin, he sat down in the place of honour at the right hand of the majestic God of heaven. 

Advent is a really important part of the Christian calendar.  While we enjoy all the trappings of Christmas celebrations, it is vitally important that we put aside some quiet time to consider the enormity of what we are truly celebrating.  Belief in the coming of the Son of the living God in Bethlehem all those years ago sets us apart from those who do not believe in it.  Believing in all things scriptural is a gift given to us by the living God, a gift more valuable than anything that could be bestowed upon us by any person or organisation in this world in which we live.  It is the best gift anyone can ever receive whether it be at Christmas time or any other time of the year, it is that important.

I attended a humanist funeral recently which mainly involved hearing about what a nice man this person had been and how much he was loved by friends and family.  In between these reflections on his life, we got to hear some of his favourite songs and even got to sing one, Top of the World by the Carpenters (the words were in the order of service).  At the committal, the celebrant finished by saying ‘hopefully, we will all meet up again someday’.  It made me wonder what this hope was based on and brought the words of one of my favourite hymns to mind that wonderfully outlines what our hope is based on.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame
But wholly lean on Jesus' name

On Christ the solid rock I stand
All other ground is sinking sand

When darkness veils his lovely face
I rest on His unchanging grace
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil

His oath, his covenant, his blood
Supports me in the 'whelming flood
When all around my soul gives way
He then is all my hope and stay

When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh may I then in Him be found
Dressed in his righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we stand amazed at the wonder of who you are and that you should condescend to love us and rescue us from the wages of our sin. Thank you for conveying this truth to us through your Holy Scriptures.  We thank you that all who believe on His name will not be condemned but have everlasting life. We are filled with awe and wonder that Jesus redeemed us from death and hell with His own precious blood. What a blessing to know that Christ's work is finished, our sins are forgiven, and we are redeemed. Thank you that after Jesus finished His work, He sat down at your right hand and even now is there making intercession for us. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

(With thanks to knowing-jesus.com)