All Days Ordained

As I write this the new year is only a short time away. I know where I have been this year, the lessons I have learned and still have to learn. I made a lot of changes this year and there are more to come still. Going from student to intern brought with it uncertainty. 2015 is not all figured out, I wish I could say I'm at peace with all the unanswered questions but I'm not. Even so, I know God sees beyond this moment.

Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

(Psalm 139:16, NIV)

God saw the beginning of the world and the beginning of my life. He has already seen this year and what it will bring. Let us all be assured of that as we approach 2015. He who knows what is coming will help us face it and finish well.

Love

"Lord, why did you come here at all?
The world didn't recognize You
And even now, we who call You Savior
Still stray from the path
You made clear on that third day
Why did you come for any of us?
For me?"

On dark nights
When regret hangs low in the air
Like a thick fog
These questions come
I'm not sure I always hear an answer
As I wait
Even still, I know

Vices and struggles abound for all
But You are still leading me home
I can pull my hand away
When I've fallen
Or I can take Yours
And remember the scars

Every moment since You came
From that first night in the stable
You drew men to Yourself,
For only You are able
To heal that which is broken,
Even wounds from the snare of sin
All for love, into the dark,
Your light has been ushered in!

Joy

Jesus came to a world in mourning
and brought light and life

On the day that he was born
the Father knew the coming strife

Yes His back would be scourged
His hands and feet pierced
death would appear to have its day
but oh the joy of exultation
when he would stand at God's right hand
and every knee would bow
"Jesus, King of Kings be praised!"

~~~

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV, emphasis added)

Peace

Pasture lands, silver in the moonlight
The shepherds eyes are on their sheep-
Wait, is that star brighter than the moon
Before anyone can focus their eyes

Everything is engulfed in light
As a song echoes over the earth

Angels sing "Glory to God, in the Highest
And peace to all men"
What an announcement!

"Come see the Savior
In the town of David
In a manger"

Excited, they run at once
To see the child
And tell everyone
"Rejoice, rejoice,
The Prince of Peace is born!"

Hope

He was high and lifted up

King above all kings

Yet He made the choice

To come 

Oh the hope He brought

To a forgotten world
Emmanuel 

Putting on human skin and bone

To live among us broken souls

Every step he took

From the manger to the cross

Made the Father known

~~~

Jesus brought hope to a world in need. God was silent for 400 years after the prophetic ministry of Malachi. At a time when most of the Israelites had either forgotten Him or felt forgotten by Him, the Father sent the Son. Jesus is Emmanuel, "God with us" He has not forgotten us.

As we begin celebrating Christmas, find hope in Jesus. Hope that is placed in Him does not disappoint. (Romans 5:3-5) No matter the difficulties, the doubts and the questions of this life, Jesus will see us through. And He is coming again to make all things right. Let that be your reason for hope, this Christmas and forever.