A Season for Strength

 

I am being reminded daily that there are many people who do not look forward to the Christmas holidays. For various reasons and relationships many dread the coming gatherings or the fact that there will be no gatherings.

In a study of Romans 4, a verse popped out at me.  Talking about Abraham’s faith when he heard the promise of God that he and Sarah would have a child (he was about one hundred years old and Sarah was also elderly and had been barren up to this point), Paul reports in verse 20, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God.”

In his commentary on Romans, R.C. Sproul points out the hopelessness of the situation from a human perspective. Abraham had to have wondered how he was to believe such a promise. But, Abraham then remembers Who is making the promise, the One behind it and realizes instantly that there was nothing hopeless about his situation. (The Righteous Shall Live by Faith: Romans, An Expositional Commentary, R.C. Sproul, page 112)

Sproul points out, “The only thing hopeless was the idea that the promise would not come to pass, because it is impossible for God to lie. It is impossible for God to break a promise.”

We sometimes quote God’s promises as though they belong to everyone and have been taught that He is a “God of love” to the degree that He would not want anyone to suffer at Christmas or ever. BUT, He is a God of justice and the scriptures are clear that it is God’s people who are the object of His promises. The Proverbs talk about the “righteous” being the ones who will gain wisdom and understanding and even peace (Psalm 37:17, 29, 30; Psalm 58:11; Psalm 92:12; Proverbs 10:3, 21: Proverbs 11:8, 28).

Some of us suffer the consequences of our own unrighteous behavior and others lose the joy of Christmas because of the sin of others. Either way, God is a just God and our trials are “common to man,” but the Lord will be faithful and promises a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). It looks like Abraham has left us one way of escape from the dread of Christmas — in glorifying God!

For those who are feeling depressed or disappointed because they are dreading the next couple of weeks, Abraham has left us, that is the people of God, the followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, understanding that if we concentrate on the glory of God and not our circumstances, we, too, can know the peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Christian, consider these promises:

• Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Proverbs 10:6
• Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
• And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
• There are many more.

The strength of our faith is dependent on knowing and believing what God has told us in His Word and then strengthening that faith through giving Him glory.

Thanksgiving and praise are two great tools that we have to remain faithful and righteous in the midst of those who are not or circumstances we dread.  Practicing the use of them will lift us from the pit and return us to a place of peace with our God (even though the family gatherings may still be a problem).

Christ came to save us from our sin. Let’s not allow someone else’s sin or our circumstances to keep us from celebrating His glory.