Always "Then"...and..."Now"...and "Then".
Look at "THEN". There were centuries of prophetic utterances regarding the coming of THE MESSIAH.
To ADAM - - He was revealed (Gen. 3:1-5)
To ABRAHAM - - He will come through a particular nation (Gen. 12:3)
To JACOB - - the secret =which tribe - Judah (Gen. 49:10)
To DAVID - - through his family - (2 Sam. 7:12-14) and
To MICAH - - the place (Micah 5:2)
Had He not come, the years of expectation would have never been fulfilled. The fact that Jesus came from the town of Bethlehem is another proof that the Bible IS the Word of God.
Now, for the NOW. Jesus is!!! He has come - He did his appointed task - and now in His absence He has sent the Holy Spirit.
For us going through a "hard time", a "trying time" a "devastating time" we have the Holy Spirit to aid us and, praise the Lord, we have Jesus himself sitting at the right hand of the Father as an advocate for you and me.
Let's make it more personal......for YOU, my friend. Yep - right where you are IN the situation you are in. This does comfort me!
I mentioned earlier that Jesus - He is always "then" (before the creation of the world) and "now" in his creation (you), but let's not forget He is in the future again.
He has promised to come back and receive you unto himself. Yes, Jesus is coming again.
So on this traditional day of celebrating His Birthday we look forward to the time when he will also come again. The Biblical words are: "This same Jesus who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
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My prayer for you, my friend.
I ask, Lord, that on this day our gratitude for your coming and what you did be elevated in our soul (mind, will and emotions). While every day is a new "coming" with fresh blessings we do particularly now bless your holy name. May this reader as they touch the keys, be touched by you with your keen sense of them.
Amen!
by Dr. Neal Carlson
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