Friday Morning Prayer:)… December 24, 2021
December 24, 2021 - 6 minutes readWhat a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Leaning, leaning,
Safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
Oh, how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
Oh, how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.[1]
“He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”[2]
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We, as Christians, the body of Christ, called unto salvation by God’s mercy, recognize, celebrate, and praise God for his sovereign plan revealed in Christ. “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign: the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”[3]
“For to us a child is born, to us, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end….”[4]
“…to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah: ‘Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, along the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles—the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.’ From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’”[5]
“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds, we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way, and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”[6]
As I read the above Bible texts, I thought about the wait between the “already and not yet.” I am most thankful for all of it! In the already we worship our God in spirit and truth. We rejoice in the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The Savior born, the gospel taught, he was crucified, ‘pierced for our transgressions,’ he is risen, indeed, reigning in every regenerate heart, and sovereign over everything. Yes! The power of God is evident as we trust Jesus and walk in obedience, humility, and overflowing love. Although this world is full of brokenness, sadness, and despair, the struggles overwhelming and burden heavy, Jesus is faithful. The love, joy, and peace of God will prevail for those in Christ. Be ye encouraged to lean on the Everlasting Arms as you anticipate the not yet, relying on God’s indwelling power to help you persevere to the end.
I am excited about the “already” awe and the amazing power of God manifest in changed, transformed lives. We share the gospel, we love with the genuineness of Christ indwelling, the Spirit of God calling people, granting the gift of salvation, supernatural change from a state of darkness to the light of Christ! There is evidence of salvation seen through repentance from sinful ways, and hunger to know God. Rejoice in the “already” as God’s mercy, his compassion prevails.
Beloved, I pray you are empowered, filled with the Spirit daily as you pursue our gracious God and wait in blessed assurance with active participation in fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Be encouraged and thankful for the “not yet.” It is coming! “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…. He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything new!”[7] Our hopeful expectation!
What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms?
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.
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Friday Morning Prayer:)… First Baptist Church, Alpine.
Brothers @ 0730
Sisters @ 0900
Join if your schedule allows. A time of intentional prayer as the Spirit leads our time together.
[1] https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Leaning_on_the_Everlasting_Arms/
[2] Luke 1:32-32
[3] Isaiah 7:14
[4] Ibid v. 9:6-7a
[5] Matthew 4:17-18
[6] Isaiah 53:5-6
[7] Revelation 21:1a, 4
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