God's Perfect Days

It’s December! For many, especially children, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” God’s Word speaks of it as a perfect time. “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). As the expression goes, “Hind-sight is 20/20” and obviously, God, as the Master Strategist, selected the moment He did to send His Son into the world to redeem us and make us His own for His most excellent reasons. We can only examine the instant the angel announced the good news of great joy to shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night and ask - why then? Of course, history from that point, if God had never been born a man to die for man’s sin, would have been entirely different. If Jesus were to come today, into this postmodern climate, he would have found little to no faith at all on the earth and the quirky religion of the ancient Hebrews forgotten. No, the time was perfect, but before the time could fully come, God needed to establish a promise through Abraham, a people through Israel, and a placeholder through Moses. Through the Remnant had to arise synagogues, the Greeks - a language, and the Romans - roads, the Pax Romana (a time of peace under Roman rule), and the cruel execution method of crucifixion. Do you know that His plan was purposeful and planned for you before creation? (Ephesians 1:3-7)

[Psalm 32] It is also the time of the year when we hear the slogan, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” How do you feel about that slogan? I take issue! Jesus is not only “the reason for the season” but for devoted Christians, Jesus is “the reason for all of life” – our spiritual lives! Paul reminds us that we “died” and “were raised with Christ,” an allusion to our repentance and baptism (Colossians 2:11-12). We should “seek those things which are above” and our minds set “on things above.” Our lives are “hidden with Christ in God.” Christ is “our life” (Colossians 3:1-4). A “season” may be long enough for those of a secular mindset, for those who give a little thought to Jesus this time of the year. But to God’s faithful a “lifetime” is not long enough to serve the Lord we love! He is not “the reason for our season” - He is “the reason for our surrender.” We should rejoice every day that God sent His Son into the world to save us - the story of His birth being a part of that grander scheme. Many are enamored with the story of Jesus’ birth because a babe in a manger makes no demand upon their lives. They can have God without obligation. They can talk about His birth, sing a carol or two and then walk away! The emphasis of the gospel, however, is on the Lordship of Christ, not the birth of Christ. In the first sermon to the Jews, Peter declared that Jesus is “both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36). In the first sermon to the Gentiles he declared that Jesus is “Lord of all” (Acts 10:36). His birth is only the beginning of the story! The ultimate “perfect day” will be the day of redemption that is prepared for the righteous. The path that has the small gate and  narrow road is the only way that leads to “life” and few are looking for it (Matthew 7:14). The plan for man’s salvation from sin has been made complete by God through Jesus and his atoning sacrifice of life for the redemption of our sins. Paul walked the walk and looking forward to his reward encourages all who do the same will be rewarded on that “perfect day” (2 Timothy 4:8). Surrendering to Him as Lord is the story! Wise men still seek Him! Wise men surrender to Him as Lord! Is Jesus your Lord and Savior today?