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Just about a year ago my wife and I decided to take a road trip through the Glacier National Park and then go from there up into Canada and tour the mountains on the Canadian side of the border.  We planned to be gone for three weeks and with much anticipation we started to make the arrangements. We watched numerous videos on the places we wished to visit on the way. We looked at maps and talked with others who had been to these places before us.  We made reservations at campsites along the way.  We got our passports and read the regulations for crossing the border into Canada as well as the return trip.  We would have never thought of just getting into the motorhome and leaving without any prior arrangements. For we knew that the period of our travel was prime time for campers and accommodations would be hard to find.

I mention this for I have often thought about the Christmas story and the arrival of our Lord and Savior.  God himself was to take a trip from heaven to earth to reveal the greatest love story ever recorded.  This trip was not a last minute decision on God’s part for the Bible states that long before man was ever created that this excursion of redemption was in the mind of God. There are at least seventeen places  that record evidence of this great arrival.  They foretell the place of his birth, in Micah 5:2 the family from which he would be born in Isaiah 11:1.  They talk about the child’s character and identity in Isaiah 9:6. So to put in bluntly this was to be one of the greatest events to take place in human history.  Just to think the King of Kings would arrive in a world that He Himself had created.  People today get excited when the president of the United States makes a visit.  How much greater should have been the fanfare of this arrival.  However where the crowds, where was the fanfare and marching bands.  Where were the parades of supporters who had waited so long for His arrival.  

Instead we find the opposite.  It seemed for Joseph and Mary that when the time came for them to celebrate the child’s arrival everything was going wrong.  The Roman census could not have come at a worse time, Mary was nine months pregnant.  Everything was an effort and uncomfortable.  Yet nonetheless they loaded up the donkey and started walking to Bethlehem for they were both connected to the city of David through lineage.  

It was a grueling 90 mile trip which took at least seven days of hard travel.  Can you visualize the trip as Joseph did everything possible to accommodate his very pregnant wife.  Do you ever wonder if they questioned God as to the planning of this event.  Certainly God must have been aware of the date and time of His birth.  This was His son, could he at least have arranged a comfortable ride, or for that matter not have allowed the census this month of all months.  I do believe that Mary and Joseph had the same emotions and thoughts as the rest of the human race.  They got tired and cranky and even a little irritable at times.  What sigh of relief it was to them as the contractions began that they saw the city of Bethlehem and realized soon Mary would be in a comfortable room and a soft bed to deliver her little package from heaven.  

Certainly God had called ahead and made arrangements for their arrival.  However as Joseph went from place pleading for a space for his very tired and uncomfortable wife he found there were no rooms available. Come on God Joseph must have thought can’t you help us out a little.  This is not how he envisioned the birth of the Son Of God.  It was not until a person had compassion on them that they found a little room in a stable for Mary to give birth. No, there was no soft bed with clean sheets and a nice view.  This is a place for animals not for people.  Come on God is this the best you can do Joseph might have said. They were possibly very low on money and living on the brink of poverty.  They might have wondered how they were going to survive in this place ninety miles away from Joseph’s carpenter shop. We see their condition financially at the time of Mary’s sacrifice at the temple forty days later.  Two turtle doves were the sacrifice of the poor.  Normally a lamb was the customary sacrifice. The conditions were not sterile by any stretch of the imagination in this little stable. Those cold drafts could have caused the death of this child.  Couldn’t the God who threw the stars into space and spoke the world into existence and formed the seas and all that fills the earth.  Could he not speak a word to create a better place for His own son to be born than this. They were surprised at the manner of this arrival of the Messiah; they had not been told by the angel of the hardship of this privilege given.  

It’s quite possible that Mary often wondered why life dealt her little family so many crushing blows. This was a royal family, this child was the King of Kings incarnate.  It certainly did not  look like a royal birth. Oh but Mary can you not hear the choirs of angels singing down from heaven they are singing the  most beautiful song. God has not forgotten you, this trip may seem like it was thrown together at the last minute but rest assured that God has His hand on everything that is happening.  It may not be as you supposed it to be or even wanted or needed it to be but it is designed by God for a  distinct purpose to fulfill a very divine plan.  Yes one day all heaven and earth will acknowledge Christ and bow before Him.  So for now it may be a small group of shepherds and a few wisemen from a country far away but rest assured heavens watching as the scroll of God’s divine map is  unrolled. 

On our latest trip to North Carolina Lisa and myself had gotten twisted around and were having trouble finding our way back to our campsite.  It was dark and we were confused and tired and wondered how to find our way.  It was then to our surprise we came across a man and his wife who just happened to be where we were.  We shared with them our dilemma and they led us all the way back to where we were camping. When we finally were back where we needed to be we asked ourselves about the chances of these people being where they were at the moment we needed them and to think that they would go out of their way to lead us back to a safe and comfortable place. 

Friend you may be feeling a little bit like so many others who thought that this life that God has called you to would be different and it may not be what you imagined.  You may be feeling like Mary  and saying God lives in me.  I am not looking for a palace but right now I need a haven of protection and safety.   I have royalty inside of me, I have His divine name and have been adopted into a holy family.  You may be saying Lord this is not what I had imagined it to be.  The journey is hard and arduous and everything seems to be against me.  However do not forget that God has a plan, this life that you are living is not an afterthought.  It wasn’t thrown together at the last minute.  God knew you from before you entered your mothers womb.  Look around you at everything that He has created and see the exquisite detail and organization displayed.  We may not find ourselves living in palaces; we may feel that we are paupers seeking out a living on the edge of survival.  However remember this world is not our destiny, it’s full of crosses and struggle and long journeys that tax our strength. If you will look into the distance you can see a Holy City where God has prepared a place for you.  

Jesus said it so well in John 14.

14 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

When I was sixteen years old my dear old dad who was a professional truck driver was teaching me to drive the old ford wagon.  He said Steve when you drive you always have to pay attention to what’s going on in front of you, but you must also keep your focus not just at what’s directly in front of your car but you need to look farther down the road.  If you do that you will find you will not wander back and forth in your lane. 

If you’re just focused on what’s going on today your walk with God will waiver between discouragement and disappointment to happiness.  You will find comfort in what’s up ahead if you change your focus from the immediate to the eternal. 

Jesus may have appeared on earth without much fanfare without any semblance of royalty but if you will look at what the Lord allows John to see you will find out that in the future it will be quite different.  

Revelation 4 King James Version

1After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. 2And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

So let me remind you one more time that God never stopped being a king, however there was a time that he endured hardship and pain on His journey to win himself a bride and redeem mankind.  If you follow Him you also will have to bear that same cross. However the joy and jubilation that’s ahead will far outshadow those days of confusion and struggle we may face today.

Luke 2:7  Berean Bible

…6While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn, a Son. She wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 

Have you ever stopped to think that the Christmas story was planned even before man was created on the earth.  Before anything was created God in his foreknowledge realized that if He gave man and woman His ultimate creation, His glowing masterpiece a free will that this man and woman would choose to reject Him. Of all Gods, creation  whether it be the trees of the forest or the waters of the ocean or the uncounted stars of heaven they all would be subject to His authority. The seas would calm at His word, the winds would blow at His command the earth would shake at His voice and swallow up those who would stand against Him.  But man who was created in His likeness was given the ability to turn away from God’s commands and reject His compassion, His mercy and His love. The question that stands out and demands an answer is why create something that would hate its own creator.  Why would  man hate the very source of his existence and turn his back on the one who gave him life.  Who gave him a planet to govern over and food to eat, a sunrise to greet him in the morning and the soft winds to soothe him during the heat of the day. How could mankind rebel against so much given with no investment on their own part.  I have never seen the garden of Eden where man was placed.  Where sickness was not heard of and life had no end. In God’s foreknowledge He knew that man would rebel and because of that rebellion  He saw a wooden cross where He Himself would die to purchase back what man had squandered away through selfish rebellion. 

I think that the answer to this question is seen in the book of the Song of Solomon.  Now this is a book that you really want to read if you’re a romantic.  It’s a love story.  The story is about king Solomon, the richest and most powerful king to ever live.  There was nothing that he could not have from material wealth to relationships.  The Bible says he received 25 tons a year of pure gold for each of the years he reigned. Which was forty years. That alone by today’s standards would be worth forty billion dollars a year.  His net value was determined to be by today’s values about 2.2 trillion dollars.  It is mentioned that he had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred  concubines.  Solomon sought unrestrained satisfaction as seen in the following verse.

Ecclesiastes 2:10 King James Version

Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, For my heart rejoiced in all my labor; And this was my reward from all my labor.

Let me ask you a question: do you think that this brought happiness to Solomon, did it bring him a satisfied and happy life?   According to his own words it did not. 

Ecclesiastes 1: 1-2

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

3 What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

The value in man’s life is not solely based on what he possesses, it is built on the true relationships that develop  through compassion and caring throughout life’s experiences.  

Even though Solomon had the praise and respect  of every nation on earth and more friends than he could number and wealth that goes beyond measure, he remained an unhappy man.  People loved him for what they could receive from him.  No one seemed to love him simply for the man he was.  So Solomon developed a plan by which he would  disguise himself as a shepherd.  He removes his royal robes and slips away from his royal palace and lives a life as a shepherd.  To make a long story short Solomon was looking for someone to love him for who he was and not for just the power and wealth that he possessed.  It’s a love story that can cause the most romantic of individuals to blush in its descriptive nature. 

That my friend is why God created man, knowing that he would go astray.  That is also one of the reasons for the incarnation.  God robed himself in a body and disguised His deity to win himself a bride that would love Him not just for what He was but because they just flatley loved Him for who He was.  Yes there are those who still love God for the many perks that He gives but there are those who love Him just for who He is in a very personal and intimate way.  Yes Solomon found himself a bride that loved him even though she thought he was a shepherd.  What a surprise she had when the royal chariot arrived to pick them up that day and she was brought back to the palace.   I can hear her shocked words as she speaks out “the shepherd is the king”.  In like manner thousands of years later people are falling in love with the shepherd king.  Yes that’s right I said the shepherd king for that is what Christ refers to himself as.  

John 10 New International Version 

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 

For Jesus was not only the  good shepherd but also the King of KIngs. 

Revelation 17:14 King James Version

14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

So when we look at God’s role in the life and redemption of mankind He plays many roles. Not only was He the babe in a manger, He also was the King of Kings.  Not only was He the good shepherd but He also was the Lamb of God.  But even more than that to me as well as many others He has become “a friend that sticks closer than a brother”, He has become the comforter to my troubled soul, my redeemer, my healer, my hope and advocate.  I still walk with Him as Adam and Eve did and share my thoughts as we talk together.  Soon the trumpet of God shall sound and I will see Him in all His glory,  as the Almighty God and be taken from this earth to a place prepared for the bride He has found and not only me but all those like myself who have fallen in love with Him and are waiting for His  appearance.  Oh I am sure when that day comes I will be like the young girl in the book of the Song of Solomon, my eyes will grow big and my speech and countenance will change when I see Him for who He truly is. However let me assure you it’s not the pomp and circumstance that I long for, it’s my love for this good shepherd who loves me in the way that He does.  I hope that you as well our developing that personal and intimate relationship that comes from being away from the clamour rushing through daily responsibilities and is developed in the garden of life’s intimate moments where words that are so intimate are shared between two individuals who love each other regardless of each other’s position or possessions of life. 

Psalm 34:8 New International Version

    Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

It is amazing to me how I can remember incidents that happened fifty years ago but if you asked me what I had for supper last week I could not tell you.  I believe that those notable and life changing events that we go through at different times become memorials and are placed deep in our subconsciousness to remind us of something that changed our perspective and direction in life.  

Like you I have many of these memorials that have helped develop me into the person I am today.  I would like to share one of those moments.  

I had just returned from Fort Lewis Washington, I had finished up a stint of active duty in the army national guard.  I was still finding my way through the maze of decisions and directions adulthood had thrust me into.  I was trying to develop my identity and as a young man I was reckless and experimented with things that I should not have.  Friday evenings were always important to me because it was the one night of the week for me to splurge on reckless excess.  Whatever might make itself available to me was fair game.  A nice car, friends like myself who were anticipating the next thrill. These were not always a good combination to be honest with you and if it would not have been for God watching over me during this time I do not know where I would be today.  I must share that I had no active relationship with God, I believe it was the prayers of my great grandmother that were prompting God to provide barriers to my poor decisions. 

As I clearly remember this particular Friday night as I was getting ready to leave my parents home my brother stopped me in the hallway outside of my bedroom.  Now anyone that knew our family knew that my brother Rick and I had a relationship like oil and water.  At this time we were not close at all.  Maybe because of the times he had tried to get rid of me, his nuisance of a little brother.  I remember the time he wanted to play cowboys and indians.  I was to be an Indian and he had decided that my punishment for wrongdoing was to die by hanging.  We were pretty young, Rick possibly five and me three.  He had watched too many cowboy movies I guess,  but he had a good handle on how to accomplish the act.  We had bunk beds in our room and he had found a rope and tied one end around my neck and the other to the bed railing.  He was just about ready to pass judgment when mom walked in to check on us. I had never heard her raise her voice to that level before as she told my brother to freeze and move away from me.  She quickly untied the rope and gave us both a lecture that would not be forgotten for a long time afterwards.  I remember that day as though it happened yesterday.  Sufficient to say Rick and I were cut out of different cloth.  So what happened next was so out of character for the two of us that I was to become  totally overwhelmed and speechless.  Rick’s comments  went something like this.  “Steve do you have a second I have to tell you something”, “I responded sure but  make it fast for I am in a hurry to get going”. Rick was quiet for a moment and then the words spilled out of him like water out of a faucet. “Steve I want to tell you that I love you and want to ask you to do me a favor”.  I have to stop there for you need to understand the emotional makeup of our family.  We were not ones to share things like that.  We never told each other that we loved each other; it was shown through actions.  I don’t remember as a kid my mom and dad ever telling me they loved me.  Oh I knew it but no one ever said the words.  So when Rick said this to me I was in shock and speechless for a little while.  After composing myself I think I said something like that’s nice.  It really was pathetic that I could not say those words back.  I then asked what the favor was and he replied he wanted me to promise to come to church with him and his wife on Sunday.  Well go ahead and hit me with a club, I thought to myself who is this guy.  Go to church, for real, is this a joke.  We both had stopped going to church, this is the same guy that used to go with me when we took the money mom gave us to put in the offering and skipped church and bought candy and laughed all the way home. He was as serious as a heart attack, what could I say, he had that look on his face like a homeless puppy.  I very reluctantly agreed, basically to get away from this very uncomfortable situation.  Sure enough on Sunday he was there to pick me up.  I was ready to endure a boring drawn out service and watch the clock stop as I waited for the end to finally come.  I could not have been more wrong from the second I sat down and looked around at the people around me, I knew that this service was going to be unlike anything I had ever experienced before.  It was not the size of the congregation for it was a small group of nearly forty people.  It was the sincerity and the vibrancy and the emotion that came forth from them unashamedly.  Between the instruments and their loud and demonstrative worship I was spellbound and uncomfortable.  However I did something that morning that opened up the door to an event that changed me.  I had never thought of God in a personal way.  Prayer was like writing a letter to someone who never wrote back.  You always hoped they got it but you never really knew for sure.  It was when in my mind I asked this question that things changed for me that day.  I said “I wonder if this is for real can people really be this happy in church.  I think that was all God needed from me to do what he did next.  I felt a wave of emotion sweep over me like a tsunami, I could  not stand before it nor could I resist its effects.  I was crying and I didn’t at first even know why.  I wanted to stay where I was but in our household men did not cry it was an act of weakness and I was totally embarrassed.  I could not force myself to stop crying however and finally ran out of the sanctuary and found a room with the door unlocked.  I needed to compose myself, that depth of emotion and the warmth of what I was experiencing was overwhelming to me.  Of course my brother was new to this as well and he was no help in trying to help me understand  this experience. I remember when I slammed the door and looked around there was a teenager in that room hiding out. He had no idea on how to respond to what I was experiencing and quickly left.  My life was never the same after that experience.  I did not give my heart to God that day nor did I change how I was living but I did learn there was something in this place that was supernatural and that I could not explain.  I never went back into the service that day.  It was several weeks later that my world was to blow apart and at that time I would recall this event and find my way back to this sanctuary in search of hope and a reason to continue to live.  It was God’s mercy that moved upon my brother to drag me there that morning.  For when the moment of devastation overcame me and I was deciding on living and dying that I could stop here on my way to that final decision and find the rest of what I had missed out on that morning.  That there was a God in heaven who was concerned about me even when I was acting in a very unholy manner in my living and received me into His arms and lifted me up and took my broken heart and restored it with a new one.  

No matter where you are in your journey in life I would like to remind you that there’s more to living than just following a faulty pattern formed by preconceptions and peer pressure.   I pray that if you have not felt the love of God that nearly knocks off your socks that you soon do.  However if I could leave you one thing that I would have done differently, I would have done this.  Instead of running out of that experience I would have run into it without reserve.  I would have let that current of emotion take me right into the arms of God and held onto Him with all my strength. 

It was a day not unlike any other day.  Mary hummed a tune as she worked.  She was completely unaware of the angel’s presence until he spoke to her.  She had no misconceptions on what he was for it was clearly evident that this visitor was not just a man but an angel.  His greeting and disposition was pleasant and the words he spoke were flattering.  To be highly favoured was a great compliment considering it came from the throne of heaven. Mary is not the first person that the angel Gabriel appeared to.  He appeared to Daniel several times and also to Zechariah the father of John the Baptist.  This is the fourth appearance that is recorded. 

Luke 1:28 King James Version

And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

She blushed and turned her head away.  Truly this must be a mistake she thought.  This moment had been planned from the beginning of time  and the world laid in wait for the coming of its messiah.  Isaiah had clearly prophesied about this very day 740 years earlier when he wrote these words.

Isaiah 7:14 King James Version

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

As the angel spoke to her it seemed that her soul was being carried on waves of wonder and so much so that she felt weak and giddy.  The angel made her aware of what was taking place with her Aunt Elizabeth, her mothers sister.  For she was also with a child. This also was a miracle baby since Elizabeth had been barren her entire life and now was long past the child bearing years.  For she was now 60 years old and had given up hope of having any children much less the forerunner to the messiah that was being brought into the world through the womb of Mary.

The angel made it clear that the child Mary would bear would be conceived by the Holy Spirit and not Joseph of whom she was espoused to. 

Luke 1:36 King James Version

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

How truly blessed Mary felt.  Oh she was certainly concerned about Joseph’s response to the news of her pregnancy but an angel, which is not named in scripture appeared to him as well to confirm the words of Mary. This also could have been the angel Gabriel. 

As time proceeded Mary felt it necessary to leave her home as now she was certainly showing her condition to visit her aunt Elizabeth and her uncle Zechariah who lived as some believe just to the south of Jerusalem. She would also be able to help Elizabeth in the care of John which would be her cousin.  It is interesting to note the words that Elizabeth shares with Mary at their initial meeting. 

Luke1 King James Version

39And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

These are very much like the words that the angel used when he addressed Mary.  How truly blessed she was to be the mother of the Son of God.  It is right after this Mary breaks into song and her heart seems to burst with joy at the events that are taking place in her life and the mission God has entrusted to her that will affect the entire world. 

The next number of verses record the song of praise that she sings. Here is just a small excerpt.

Luke 1  New Living Translation

46Mary responded,

“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.

47How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

48For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,

and from now on all generations will call me blessed.

49For the Mighty One is holy,

and he has done great things for me.

However as time goes on Mary begins to realize that blessings often come with tear drops and sometimes with pain.  Now let me stop here for a moment.  Mary is highly favored by God and a chosen vessel for the hope of all humanity.  Now certainly you would expect that with this role that there would be boundless and overwhelming support and blessing.

Mary was now nearing the date of delivery.  However Caesar Augustus has his own ideas for his government.  He has decided to take a census and force all citizens to return to the city of their origin to register. 

Luke 2 New International Version

1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while ^a Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own town to register.

4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

Now no one really knows for sure the date of the census but some believe that Mary and Joseph may have arrived earlier than December,  possibly September or October during the feast of Tabernacles.  Now Mary and Joseph had been living in Nazareth at the time of the census and made the 70 mile trip to Bethlehem.  The trip would have taken at least three days.  It would have been a very difficult trip for a woman who was nearing childbirth to say the least.  This is not how Mary had envisioned her future.  It was an uncomfortable and at times painful journey.  They probably arrived late in the day in Bethlehem for most places were already filled with guests and the only place they could find was a stable. Mary and Joseph no doubt prayed before leaving Nazareth asking that God would protect and guide them on this journey.  He did just that but not in the way that you and I would imagine that He would.  Jesus was not coming into the world as a King, He was coming into this world in a very nondescript manner.  Certainly the choirs of heaven sang that night over the place of His birth but basically only a few humble shepherds were aware of what was taking place.  Of course the wisemen had seen His star in the east and they were heading in that direction but would not find Christ until He was a young child, possibly two years old.

That night amidst the straw and smells of the farm Jesus uttered that first cry of birth heralding his arrival to a few select and curious shepherds. All  the inconvenience, all the struggle that had brought this little family to this place vanished when they saw Him. Love is like that it looks past the suffering and focuses on the outcome and invisions the future.  

Of course the struggle does not stop here. For Mary still had to make the trip to Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice of purification.  That was not just a walk across the street but a rough ten mile journey to Jerusalem. Even though this trip was not as harsh as the first to this new mother it still had its many challenges. 

Now I am bringing you on this journey in the Christmas story to one last encounter.  For that day as they purchased those two turtle doves, which was the offering that was necessary for a poor person’s sacrifice.  They encountered a prophet named Simeon.  He has waited all his life to view the messiah for he had been promised before his death that he would behold the Lord’s salvation.

Mary and Joseph along with the baby Jesus entered the temple complex and made their way across the noisy Court of the Gentiles toward the Eastern Gate of the inner wall. Hundreds were praying. 

Suddenly, in front of them, an old man appeared. “Let me see the child!” The earnestness and desire of his request was fueled by the many patient years of waiting. 

Luke 2 New International Version

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,

you may now dismiss ^d your servant in peace.

30For my eyes have seen your salvation,

31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:

32a light for revelation to the Gentiles,

and the glory of your people Israel.”

33The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Mary stood in awe at the words he spoke.  However it’s the last words that leave a stinging message to a wonderful description of the work of God.  “And a sword shall pierce your own soul too.”

Mary’s love for this little child grew as the child itself did. One day soon this child would become the provider for his mother and siblings after the untimely death of Joseph.  The great love that dwelt in Mary’s heart was fueled by the connection she had as his mother but it was also connected to her relationship with God.  Jesus was not only the son of man but he was also the son of God. The day would come when her soul would be pierced as with a sword as she watched his crucifixion.  She could handle the poverty and she could handle the loss of her husband but to watch her son in which the hope of the world was entrusted treated in the manner in which he was seemed more than she could bear.  We all have imaginations of how things should be and how they actually happen can be radically different.  The beating by the soldiers and Jesus’ disfigured body and cries of pain were like whips themselves upon her soul.  As she watched her son struggle under the heavy cross and stumble and fall time and time again, she felt the weight of the struggle in her own soul.  As she watched Jesus hang upon the cross and saw Him struggle for every breath she felt her own strength and faith shaken.  She watched the strength and life ebb from His body.   A body she herself had brought into the world.  She herself felt the inner struggle as she tightly held on to the promises that God had given her.  It was not until the words came forth from Jesus’ own mouth “It is finished” and he gave His life that she realized the words He had left with her were given for this very moment. 

John 18 New International Version

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

Our presence on this earth like Christ is to bear witness to the truth.  That means not every door will always be open and you may find yourself carrying a royal message but living in humble means.  It also means you may yourself feel a sword that pierces your own soul at the loss of someone or something you hold dear.   However I must remind you that the gift that was given unto man was not just wrapped and placed in a manger.  The true gift was given amidst the suffering of the cross when Christ gave His life so that we could receive eternal life with Him.  Now only those who love the truth will hear and understand. Others who reject truth will try to destroy it and the vessels that carry it.   

Jesus had shared these words with His disciples,

John 14:6 King James Version

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Jesus became the life line between heaven and earth and so it is important for us to remember that the birth of Christ was the means of redemption and the cross was the completion. 

Mary discovered that for those who trust God, he uses soul-piercing events to unleash more grace, salvation, and joy into the world.  However at the end of denial and suffering, faithfulness is rewarded with things that cannot even be imagined. 

1 Corinthians 2:9 New King James Version

9 But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

This young widow of Serpath sat silently next to her child as he slept.  Sleep had fled from her through the night as she sat silently beside her sleeping son.  His breath was even and his sleep was deep.  Little did he understand the seriousness of their situation.  Her husband and his father had passed away suddenly some time ago and they were left to fend for themselves.  To make matters worse a drought had encompassed the land and food was scarce as well as drinking water.  She lifted the lid on the little barrel of meal and looked at the cruze of oil that sat near her.  There was just enough for a couple of very small cakes.  She realized that without some miraculous intervention this would be the last meal that she shared together with her son.  

Have you ever felt the hopelessness of a devastating situation, have you stayed awake through the night wondering how you could find the strength to make it through another day.  

That morning a middle aged man approached her as she gathered a few sticks to cook her last remaining meal.   He was very forward and to the point.  He asked if she could make something for him to eat and give him something to drink.  She was exasperated at his audacity.  I am sorry she said I have only enough for one last very small meal.  Let’s look a little more closely at what happens next. 

1 Kings 17 King James Version

And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 9Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 10So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, the widow woman was there gathering of sticks: and he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand. 12And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. 13And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. 15And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. 16And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.

Let’s look at this a little more closely at what’s taking place.  This woman was not an Israelite, she did not know nor worship the God of Israel.  She had never met this man, however I do believe she discerned that he was a prophet by his manner of dress and conversation.  The water was more available to her than the food and she was willing to share it.  However when it came to the point of sharing the last of the meal in the barrel this became more of a challenge.  You see when we are asked to surrender something to God by faith and trust Him to return it back again, we find it hard to let go of the things we are clinging onto.   In truth the food would have only lasted one more meal and then starvation would follow after.  What did she have to lose?  What were two small cakes between two people.  Actually when you’re starving they mean a lot.   What the prophet was offering was a continued supply of nourishment throughout the long ordeal of cataclysmic famine. This woman was looking at the moment and avoiding the thoughts of what lay ahead. 

Elijah tells her not to be afraid.  That’s the first step in the process of faith. Give unto God first and watch and see what he does with what you have and how it is returned back to you. She smelled the aroma of that bread and her mouth watered and her son stood hungrily watching beside her.  He watched his mother give what they both so desired to consume themselves, to the man of God not knowing for sure if the promises he had made would come to pass.  I guess sometimes you just step out in faith.  She had no idea where the meal he promised would come from, or the oil for that matter.  There was certainly a scarcity in the city where she lived.  She did it anyway.  

Years later Jesus himself would share this story with those of the synagogue he was speaking in as a  rebuke to them.  For this woman who was not of the lineage of Isaac and Jacob could do by faith what they could not do themselves with the bread of life standing before them. 

Luke 4:25-26  King James Version

But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; 26But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow. 

This woman watched on as Elijah devoured their last morsel of food.  As he wiped his chin she glanced down at the small barrel that had held the last of the meal. She blinked and looked again. The barrel was full to overflowing  with fresh  meal and the cruze of oil as well.  

That day was the first day of the remaining three and a half years of famine that her and her son ate as much as they wanted.  Not only these two but the prophet as well. While others continued to waste away around her she found her and her sons countenance and health flourished. 

Life sometimes sends adversity and hardship.  At times you wonder just how long you can survive on what little you find yourself holding on to. You’re concerned about those that are depending on you and feel the load of responsibility crushing you each day.  However, keep your eyes open for God’s provision for you. If you can only trust Him and take Him at His word you will find a full heart and a holy anointing on your life.   I am talking about the barrel of hope and the cruse of dreams not yet come to pass. Give it all to Jesus and watch what happens and how it comes back to you in ways that are unexplained.  While others hold on to the little bit they have left,  you will find yourself flourishing under the mighty wings of the almighty. 

Have you ever looked at one of those pictures that has a picture in a picture.  When you first glance at it all you see is the obvious.  In other words you may see a picture of a mans head, but when you take the time to refocus it may turn into a picture of an animal. Were you able to see the picture in the picture above. I have always been intrigued by these pictures and I will usually stay until I see what was not initially obvious. 

I think our lives are like that.  You may see the obvious but miss the hidden picture of your situation.  Let me give you an example.  It was nearing Christmas and the college I was attending closed down for Christmas break.  I was heading back home but ended leaving late in the day.  I was really looking forward to seeing my family and could not wait to get back home.  I left the Minneapolis area and as I was entering into Wisconsin I heard a call for help on my CB radio.  A trucker had broken down along the interstate and he needed a lift. I hesitated for a moment since it was already late night  but thought I would help him get to a place where he could stay warm and get the help he needed. .  Well I ended up taking them all the way to their destination.  Which was in my general direction but involved leaving the interstate.  Some of you may be thinking that was a real dumb thing to do since you had no idea of who you were picking up.  All I can say is that at the time I really felt impressed that this is what God wanted me to do. 
There were two drivers that got into my car.  They were team driving and the company was sending equipment to remove the tractor and trailer.  Well one went off to sleep right away in the crowded back seat.  It was nearly full with all of the holiday gifts I was carrying back to Milwaukee.  However the second driver who sat in the passenger seat and I talked for several hours.  We talked about his life and he shared a sad story. Over those two hours I shared with him the love of God and this gentleman absorbed it seemed every word that I shared.  In that car the presence of the almighty seemed as thick as honey and even more sweet. I could not just drop them off at a truck stop when I felt that God had ordained this visit. We both were changed that night, this driver because  of the hope and spiritual insights he had received.  I was changed also for God was going to teach me my own lesson in practical Christian living. That night I felt like a vessel that God had and filled with His love and mercy and I was able to pour what he had entrusted me with into this man’s heart.  All I can say is I felt so close to this gentleman when he left. After I had dropped them off and as I drove away I raised my hands to heaven and thanked God for this encounter.  I remember feeling so close to God as we worked as a team that night to give this man hope. Me the vessel God the anointing. .  I know this will sound strange but the atmosphere inside that car that night was so spiritually charged I asked God for a miracle.  I was not specific, I just asked for something supernatural. I remember as soon as the last word left my mouth  all of the things I had stored on my drivers visor fell down and hit my forehead on their way to my lap.  I inhaled sharply, I was so surprised and I remembered saying “Lord maybe I am not quite ready for that”.   I think both God and I laughed together.  However it was when I came back down to earth I noticed my gauges.  I had been so involved in my conversation I had forgotten to fuel my vehicle as I had planned along the interstate. I was now far off the interstate and the time was nearly one in the morning.  I felt a sense of panic, this was back in 1976 and we did not have self service gas stations at that time. How could I have been so stupid I thought.  The fuel gauge stayed unmoving on empty.  I remember asking God for help and then grabbing the microphone on my CB and speaking into the empty night for someone that might know of a place where I could fuel my car.  I really did not expect anyone to answer.  After leaving the interstate all the chatter had ceased.  Then a strong masculine voice spoke to me through the speaker and said that there was a gas station that was open just ahead of me and not to worry that he was right behind me if I were to need him. I was surprised that someone had answered, I was amazed that this person even knew where I was and what direction I was driving.  Sure enough about a mile  a head in the middle of the night, miles from any city there it was a gas station, and it was open.  I pulled up to the pump and got out of my car, I wanted to wave to this stranger and thank him but no one came and no one answered on the CB. Then a voice seemed to speak inside my head and said you wanted me to light the sky but really what you needed was a tank of gas.  I have never forgotten that night for it seemed that God had shown me a picture of Himself I had never seen.  Again as I stood there I felt overwhelmed with gratefulness and appreciation.  I have often wondered if the man who pumped my gas was there because he couldn’t sleep that night or if he was an angel.  To me either way he was an angel whether the human kind or the heavenly kind it does not matter.  Remember the picture you see may have a picture in a picture and do not be hasty in assuming you see everything that God wants you to see initially. 

I would like to share another story about a man in scripture called Stephen. He is found in the seventh chapter of the book of Acts.  Stephen  was chosen by the disciples to serve the widows of the early church.  Stephen was a very zealous kind of a guy and very fervent for his faith and the gospel message. He was very much like Paul in the sense that he was very zealous and outspoken in his faith.  The religious and pious leaders of the Sanhedrin sought to quiet his preaching just as they did to the other disciples and to Christ himself.   However the more they tried to quiet him the more vocal he became.  He reminded them of the hypocrisy of their fathers and the pattern of their apostasy through the generations.  It reached the point where they could not tolerate him any longer and when everything seemed to be headed in the wrong direction and  as Stephen saw the storm of hatred encompassing him, God opened up the picture to reveal a picture within a picture.  

Acts 7 New International Version

54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Can you imagine that, can you see Stephens face as it shines as bright as an angel.  As far as we know Stephen is the only one that saw this picture in a picture but it carried him through the stones they used to quiet his voice.  Your picture in a picture may not change your circumstances, but it will most surely change your perspective of what you are going through. 

Maybe today your picture looks gloomy, maybe it looks overwhelming and you feel like Stephen and you’re certain that there is no way out of where you’re at.  Just keep doing what God has called you to do for soon you may see a picture in a picture. You may be amazed that it was there all the time and you had not seen it before. 

Have you ever found yourself dogged by a problem that just won’t let go.  You try to ignore it till finally you just turn around and confront it and send it packing.  I would like to let you know when you stand up for what is right and confront evil that sometimes things may take a turn for the worse but hold on there’s something good just around the corner.  I would like to show you an example of this in scripture.  

Acts 16 New International Version

16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Of course this evil spirit was not interested in people getting saved to say the very least.  It was mocking them and trying to make them look foolish. What’s interesting to see is how some people make a living by using evil to line their pockets. Maybe that is why so many in the world hate the message of morality and righteousness.  It cuts into their profit as was the case in this incident.  Paul and Silas were taken prisoner, they were stripped and humiliated and then beaten.  What is also interesting is the fact it was against the law for Paul who was a Roman citizen to have received that beating.  However he did not try to take the easy way out.  He smelled the fragrance of rain amidst the storm.  A heavenly rain, the thunder and lightning were things he had to go through to receive the refreshing rain. 

Let’s read further. 

Acts 16 New International Version

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

Now let’s use our imagination to fill in the blanks and try to understand a little more clearly what just happened. These two were stripped and beaten.  That means the whip had direct contact with their skin.  They both had many painful welts on their body and the pain that night was overwhelming.  However, how did Paul and Silas pass this time of torment.  They worshipped God.   They had church and the other prisoners took note of what was taking place.  Worship in the midst of suffering not only moves God but it shakes the earth.  Not just the foundations made with stone and mortar but the hearts of men. This jailer came to Paul and Silas and the first words he spoke were,  “what must I do to be saved”.  This is the type of worship service that moves not only mountains but tears down the walls of a man’s heart.  Not only does it open the prison doors, but it opens the hearts of men.  I guess sometimes a little persecution thrown into the stove of worship only makes the bread of life more desirable.  That jailer took them from the jail that night, he fed them and dressed their wounds. It was there that Paul and SIlar finished their message.  When they were done everyone in the house was baptized.  Not just one jailer but everyone in his family.  

What an atmosphere was present in the jail but not just in the jail but also the home of the jailer.  God often after he accomplishes His will also brings desert to the table for the faithful.  They had probably won more souls that night than in the entire time they were in Philippi.  Plus Paul had a chance to confront those that had beaten him and watch them squirm as they realized they had beaten Roman Citizens.  Their hide was now at stake and their whole attitude changed towards these two men.   

Now you may be in a place where you’re taking a little heat while you’re trying to follow God’s plan for your life.  There may be human spirits as well as evil spirits that are trying to intimidate you.  Sometimes you have to stop ignoring them and confront them.  However be aware that sometimes when you send them packing there  are things that follow where your faith will be tested.  It may hurt for a while but worship amidst the suffering and rejection that sometimes follows obedience only adds a special kind of incense to your worship.  So when times are dark and you have been wrongfully chastised for doing good.  Turn up the volume of your prayers and worship, for if you look up you will see amidst the thunder and the lightning that God is sending a rain of revival that will shake the place you are inhabiting and people will seek you out who have hungry hearts.  Every preacher and every saint longs to minister to the open and hungry heart that surrenders itself to God. People are watching you and when they see your faithfulness and determination followed by God’s demonstrations of might and power.  They will seek deliverance from their chains and the jail cells they inhabit. 

Sometime ago as I was recovering from a serious surgery I had something happen that at the time I thought was a tragedy but now as I look back all I can do is laugh.   I was at home with my daughter who was visiting and my wife who had just retired for a few hours before she went into work the night shift.   I was standing in the kitchen and my dog at the time Cilla, who by the way was a very energetic Doberman was outside on the patio.   All of a sudden I heard the most terrifying scream come from outside.  I made my way to the patio door as fast as I could and when I looked out there was Cilla holding a large skunk in her mouth.  The skunk who didn’t know that Cilla just wanted to play was spraying her in the face and upper body.  I was partially in shock at this sight and screamed out to Cilla drop the skunk.  The tone of my voice let her know that this command was not up for discussion and she immediately dropped the skunk and ran into the house before I could shut the patio door.  The stench of the skunk was overwhelming and all I could think of was that she was going to spread this terrible aroma throughout the entire house and on every piece of furniture she could find.  All I could think of to do was to open the door to the garage and order her out where we could figure how to deal with this stinky situation.  The dog was so overwhelmed by the smell and the tone of my voice that she darted by me like a F16 fighter jet.  I slammed the door shut and tried to catch my breath before I passed out.  My daughter, who I thank God was there to help immediately took over.  I do not know what I would have done without her.  I did not think I could love and appreciate her more than I already did but that day she rose above the charts.

To make a long story short, she was able to go on the internet and find out how to make a special concoction that we could use on Cilla to remove most of the stench.  Unfortunately all the clothes that each of us wore that night ended up in the trash.  For the stench clung to us like a magnet. 

I have heard a grizzly bear is one of the toughest predators in the woods and is not afraid to fight a lion or bring down an elk, but it will not bother a skunk.  They say that is because the victory he might achieve is not worth the stink that the bear would live with after his victory.  I have heard it also said that there is only one thing worse than a fool, that’s the one who argues with a fool. For there is no reasoning with a fool. 

Now I have to confess that there are certain things that really set my Irish on fire and one of them is a driver who is rude and uses hand signals to show the number of his IQ.  It’s like setting a match to gasoline and I have to actually talk myself down when this happens.  I have found that if I mess with a skunk I will get his stink on me.  When you give back in situations or confrontations in like manner as you receive you become partaker with an attitude that leaves you feeling like you need a really long cleansing shower.  

As Christ stood before the counsel that day of His crucifixion and bore the lies and insults that they threw at Him  they marvelled that he would not defend himself or return comment for comment.  They were baiting Him to act as they acted and bring Him down to their level of lies and deceit.  Jesus looked beyond the walls of that room and He looked through time and saw those who one day would look to Him for an example.  He spoke these words in the beatitudes. 

Matthew 5:11-12 King James Version

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

My dear friend you may be facing a situation where you feel retaliation is in your best interest.  You may have been accused falsely or betrayed by someone who knows better.  However sometimes the best strategy is to turn it over to the God of all the earth and keep silent.  Maintain your integrity and try to remember the cause you represent.  The devil knows if he pokes the dog long enough he can get him to bite, and in our county they will put a dog down that shows himself unsafe.  

As I look at Christ on the cross in my mind I see the masses of people who have gathered to ridicule Him and deride Him.  There was very little compassion and understanding on that hill called Golgotha.  Jesus however looked past the angry and selfish mob, and saw His disciples standing and with all the remaining strength he could gather he spoke these words and then died.  “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”.  

I believe that Jesus meant every word He said but I also believe that he spoke those words to us as an example.  He had every right to call the armies of heaven down to wipe out these blasphemers.  However He showed the world what the words undeserved mercy truly was.  

Matthew 6:15 King James Version

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

So remember don’t fight with a skunk for even if you win you lose.  For you will take on the stench of the problem you tried to eliminate.  Not only will it affect you but you will spread it to everyone you come in contact with. 

Oh by the way Happy Birthday Amy, I love you so much, your the queen of conquering stink!

Last night I watched a video of a baby monkey that had somehow managed to climb out on a power line.  He learned right away that a power line is not made of the same material as a tree limb.  The young monkey tried to keep his balance but was having great difficulty maintaining his grip on the very narrow line.  Now of course I do not understand the language of monkeys but if I could I no doubt would have heard the desperate cries of fear as this little fella hung on for dear life.  I also would have recognized the mothers frustration and heard her as she cried out to  her young monkey child to hold on and that she would find a way to get him down.  The mother knew that the young monkey was not yet coordinated enough to do some of the same maneuvers that she was.  She also knew that when you’re afraid you might make hasty decisions that may make your situation worse. I watched the mother as she paced back and forth wondering just how she could get her child without both of them falling to their death.  Time was running out for our little friend and it was only a matter of time before he lost his grip. But love always finds a way.  That mother had made up her mind and she made a leap that any olympic long jumper would have been proud to call their own. She caught her baby in her arms and landed with the grace of a ballet dancer on a rooftop that was nearby.   It was phenomenal to watch.  

Sometimes l feel like that young monkey who had this great idea to try something new without actually taking the time to think it through.  Then I find myself in a position that  I cannot get out of and risk the loss that comes through making poor decisions.

The mother monkey did not yell at the child she loved when he was struggling to hold on.  That was not the time for discipline this was the time for deliverance.  You may be in a tight spot right now and you may be asking yourself why in the world did I ever make this decision and you’re truly regretting it.  You may not see any way out of your predicament. .  However let me tell you that you have a father in heaven that’s already on the way and He is more than able to keep you from falling. He hears your cries for help. Just remember when he comes to your assistance you will have to let go of the wire you’re holding on to and let Him carry you to a place of safety. 

Now that little monkey learned a lesson he will never forget.  Rest assured power lines will not be on his list of play areas ever again.  However he also learned another lesson that he will never forget and that is  his mother was willing to place her life on the line to save him. 

In a like manner let me remind you that God has already shown us that He is willing to die for us.  There is no spot that you can find yourself in that he will find a way to get you out. 

I recently was called out for a suicide in the city where I live.  As a police chaplain I get these calls more often than I would like.  As I looked on the body of this young gentleman and learned his story I was reminded what happens to people when they lose hope.  When they feel there is no way to get out of their situation and they surrender to their circumstances and give up.  That little monkey could have done that.  He could have just let go of the power line he was hanging from and surrendered to what he thought was his fate.  But his mother kept reminding him to hang on and that she was on the way. That little monkey had no way of knowing how she would do it.  However he knew if it was possible she would find a way and it was his responsibility to keep holding on till she came. 

So the moral of the story is this.  There is no place or problem you can find yourself in that God cannot deliver you from it. You need just to call out His name and let Him take you in His arms and carry you to a place where you can start again.

I would like to share a true story about a very powerful and a very influential man. He was a good man who led the army of Syria.  He was well respected and loved even by his servants. The king of Syria also very much respected him.  The list of his accomplishments and victories over his enemies would impress even the most sceptical.  A beautiful home, a respected position, money in the bank.  Some would say he was living the dream. However when we look more closely we find that there is just one thing that is ruining this lovely portrait of success.

2 Kings 5:1 King James Version

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

The last 5 words seem to jump off the page.  Everything is great except that he is a leper. It seems that wealth, respect, accomplishments pale in the sight of leprosy.  You cannot get rid of it through doctors, you can buy your way out of this condition with money and no matter how much sympathy you may receive,  you’re still a leper.  You can try to not think about it, you can cover the mirror and hide it with clothes, but you are still a leper. 

Usually stories like this do not have a happy ending.  I believe that this story is placed in scripture for people like Naaman.  You have accomplished great things and earned a place in life’s hall of fame but you’re not happy.  You’re dying and there is none who can stop the process.  You can try self help groups and read a library of reference books.  You can focus on positive thinking but when all is said and done you are still a leper.  You can try to avoid it and mask it with the things that this world has to offer but at the end of the day when the lights are turned off you realize that nothing has changed and you’re even more of a leper than you were the day before.  You look at the hour glass as the sand ebbs away and realize there’s nothing left to do. 

But wait that is not necessarily true.  If you’re a leper this chapter is here for you. Let’s continue to read. 

2 Kings 5

 2And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman’s wife. 3And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy. 4And one went in, and told his lord, saying, Thus and thus said the maid that is of the land of Israel. 5And the king of Syria said, Go to, go,

Hey listen my friend there is someone who has power over this dread condition that you’re dealing with.  You’re going to have to leave the place where you are living and travel to a land that is not your own.  You’re going to have to inquire of a God that you have not inquired of before.  But hey, isn’t it worth the trip.  What’s holding you in this place.  Everything you have  means nothing if you’re a leper.  Naaman is a wise man and lets little time pass by before he finds this man who knows this strange God that has power over leprosy.  It does not matter that is a jewish God, it does not matter if he is in enemy territory, all that matters is that he must get rid of this plague that is stealing away his life. 

However something happens here that throws a cog in the wheel.  Naaman is also suffering from another condition that might interfere with his problem.  This is a common condition carried by most every person on earth.  Before he can cure his first condition he must also deal with this second condition. 

2 Kings 5 King James Version

9So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. 10And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. 11But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.

This second condition is even more serious than the first.  It can cause a man to walk away from what he so desperately needs.  That condition is pride.  As bad as Naaman wanted to be delivered from leprosy, his pride was greater.  He was willing to die a leper and outcast rather than let his pride be hurt.  Doesn’t this prophet know who I am, doesn’t he know how much I have done and how influential I am in the land that I dwell in?  Listen, that is all hog wash.  None of that stuff matters if you’re a leper.  Naaaman was wise in that he had surrounded himself with people who could show him a perspective not tainted with the stench of pride. Even so it was an experience harder than any battle he had ever fought.  For now he found his enemy was within himself.  Pride screamed all the way to that dirty river.  Pride tried to keep him from following through with all that was required.  However this disease needed to be dealt with just as much as the one he had come to be delivered from.  Let’s look at what’s taking place.

2 Kings 5 King James Version

 12Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage. 13And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? 14Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.

One time, two times, three then four, each time he descended into that watery grave he was burying  a little more of his pride.  Finally the seventh time arrived and when he came forth from that dirty Jordan river he realized that his skin was as a childs.  He was a different person, a new man, with new hope and a new character void of pride. 

Oh there is a lesson in this true story for all of us.  You see each of us is a leper.  No matter how good you are, no matter how much you have done, or even how wealthy you have become.  You’re still a leper. The world cannot cure you and money can’t buy you out of this condition.  There is only one place you can go for help, there is only one God that can deliver.  However like Naaman you may not have been aware up to this point of that secondary condition of pride.  For if one does not get you the other will.  You have to deal with both of them at the same time. 

Leprosy is a type of sin in scripture.  We all have sinned so we all have the condition and if we leave it undealt with it will steal away all the good that we have done.  There is only one cure for sin and that is the blood of calvary.  The blood of one who has conquered death and the grave itself. Christ has the antibodies so to speak to eradicate sin. I find it so amazing that people want to get rid of something that blemishes their life and dreams for the future but let pride interfere in their deliverance.  What Elisha asked Naaman to do was not that difficult.  It would only take a few minutes and be a minor inconvenience.  But Naamans pride did not like to be told what to do or how to do it.  Pride wants to do it in its own way so that it is recognized and receives its piece of the glory.  

For people wanting to get rid of their sin, (leprosy) we have to learn the lesson of Naaman.  If we want a perfect outcome we have to follow perfect obedience.  Now picture yourself coming to the Apostle Peter and asking what Naaman did only slightly differently. 

Acts 2  King James Version

37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Now I sometimes find many responding to this scripture just as Naaman did.  Hey listen I would rather just stay in the river of faith and wash in what I believe.  Don’t people realize what I have done in my life, I am a good person.  I give food to the hungry and money to the destitute.  I live a good life.  But wait my dear friend that’s all well and good but you’re still a leper.  Not only are you a leper but now you are manifesting a second condition and that is as serious and possibly even more serious than the first.  Your pride is lifting its ugly head and saying look at me I want my piece of the action as well. We all need to bury that ugly monster.  It’s not appealing to people and certainly appalling to God.  Just obey, just walk over to the water and surrender your will to the will of God and follow his directions.  Bury that pride and leave it in that watery grave.  For when you do as you’ve been told you will find that the leprosy or sin that has been an anchor on your entire life will be gone and your heart will be as the heart of an infant. 

Taking into consideration the cost that has been paid for you to receive this monumental gift your investment is very small.   When you walk away from that water you will be so full of gratitude that your accomplishments will seem so much more insignificant and God’s work in your life will be monumental.