Hitherto Hath the Lord Helped Us!

Some may already be into the first day of 2011, but here we are in the last day of 2010.  As I reflect over the past year, I think of I Samuel 7:12, "Hitherto hath the LORD helped us!"

I don't think I can blog a better message than what Charles Spurgeon wrote back in the 1800s.  I'd like to share it with you today:

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."-1 Samuel 7:12

The word "hitherto" seems like a hand pointing in the direction of the past. Twenty years or seventy, and yet, "hitherto the Lord hath helped!" Through poverty, through wealth, through sickness, through health, at home, abroad, on the land, on the sea, in honour, in dishonour, in perplexity, in joy, in trial, in triumph, in prayer, in temptation, "hitherto hath the Lord helped us!" We delight to look down a long avenue of trees. It is delightful to gaze from end to end of the long vista, a sort of verdant temple, with its branching pillars and its arches of leaves; even so look down the long aisles of your years, at the green boughs of mercy overhead, and the strong pillars of lovingkindness and faithfulness which bear up your joys. Are there no birds in yonder branches singing? Surely there must be many, and they all sing of mercy received "hitherto."
 
But the word also points forward. For when a man gets up to a certain mark and writes "hitherto," he is not yet at the end, there is still a distance to be traversed. More trials, more joys; more temptations, more triumphs; more prayers, more answers; more toils, more strength; more fights, more victories; and then come sickness, old age, disease, death. Is it over now? No! there is more yet-awakening in Jesus' likeness, thrones, harps, songs, psalms, white raiment, the face of Jesus, the society of saints, the glory of God, the fulness of eternity, the infinity of bliss. O be of good courage, believer, and with grateful confidence raise thy "Ebenezer," for-

He who hath helped thee hitherto
Will help thee all thy journey through.

When read in heaven's light how glorious and marvellous a prospect will thy "hitherto" unfold to thy grateful eye!

GOD WITH US!

Imagine the King of all kings and the Creator of heaven and earth leaving His eternal throne to be  born on this gloomy, sinful earth. Inexpressible, unfathomable love!

 

The Owner of all riches born as a poor one with no conveniences in the manger of an animal in a stinky stable, because He wanted to dwell with sinful, thankless us. 

The Light of the World being born in darkness and obscurity so that HOPE may light our way back to Him.  Immanuel.  GOD WITH US!

As we celebrate Christmas, may our hearts overflow with the blessings of our Savior's lowly birth.  May the peace, love, and joy in Jesus Christ be within us on Christmas day and always!

Whatever You Say, Lord

Can you imagine an angel suddenly appearing in front of you?  Telling you something will happen to you that is so incomprehensible that no one on earth can ever understand it?

What a shock it must have been for Mary, the mother of Jesus!  She would be with child and give birth to a son while still a virgin.  What a mystery we will never be able to solve!  God would come down to be born as a vulnerable child dependent on his mother's nurturing.

What would this illegitimate birth mean for Mary in the culture in which she lived?  Her father might have cast her out and forced her into begging. She would be scorned and could even be put to death, but God took care of all this and told Joseph to go ahead and marry her anyway.

Even married to Joseph, she would still be under suspicion.  It would be a difficult life where many people would cast blame on her.  Perhaps she even lost some friends because of it.

That didn't matter to Mary.  Instead, she rejoiced in God her Savior.  She believed anything is possible with God, and she replied, "I am the Lord's servant.  Be it unto me as You have said."

Mary's humble attitude amazes me.  She freely offered her body and soul to God, no matter what the consequences in her life.  It was more important to her to have God's favor than any human's favorable opinion.

I search my heart today and ask, "God, am I that available to You?  I'm afraid I haven't given You my whole heart and life, both body and soul.  Make me open to whatever You have in mind for me in this life, no matter what.  I know the pain of slander, and I'm afraid I try to guard my heart too much.  Enable me to throw myself into Your hands with a childlike trust as Your servant, ready to do or be whatever You ask me to!"