The Lord said to Abram, “Leave your land, and your relatives, and your father’s home. Go to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, I will bless you. I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-2, GWT)…
“And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.” Luke 2:25 The Bible doesn’t tell us how old Simeon was nor at what point in his…
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5, Holy Bible, King James Version)
How strange it must have been to hear the prophet Isaiah foretell of the death of the great Redeemer less than thirty years after the promise of His birth. Could it be possible that the anticipated Savior might have a similar short time on earth?
“A time to be born, and a time to die” (Ecclesiastes 3:2), the words of another Old Testament wise man says we each have a span of time. From the moment the angel announced the birth of the Savior to the shepherds until the day He was crucified, about the same number of years between the promised birth and death, Jesus accomplished all that was needed to change the future.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the short years You lived as a man on this earth, You brought hope to those of your generation. With Your death, You brought hope to all generations. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, Holy Bible, King James Version)
Christmas is an exciting time of anticipation. Waiting for family or guests to arrive. Waiting for the perfect time to open gifts. Waiting for dinner to be served. Wait. Wait. Wait.
Imagine hearing this prophecy during Isaiah’s time. What great rejoicing from God’s people that they would be rescued from despair. They waited a week. A month. A year. Ten years, then fifty. One hundred years later, still no savior. It was a long wait.
One day, more than 700 years later, the prophecy became reality when Jesus was born. It was worth the wait.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for fulfilling this promise of a savior, not just for the ancients, but for us now. You are Savior of the world. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Moses spoke to Joshua just prior to his death when he confirmed Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites. Moses wanted Joshua to understand that although he would not accompany Joshua to the promised land of Canaan, the Lord would go with him. He emphasized that the Lord would always be with Joshua. Some 1,500 years later Jesus gave us His personal promise “….lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20, Holy Bible, New King James).
We rejoice in the promises of the Scriptures. God’s word can be trusted in the twenty-first century the same as it was when first written. He not leave us nor forsake us. We are never alone.
And the LORD,
He is the One who goes before you.
He will be with you,
He will not leave you nor forsake you;
do not fear nor be dismayed.Deuteronomy 31:8 New King James
Prayer: Lord, I am comforted today by these promises. I trust Your word that You will always be with me. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Adapted from Moments of Meditation by Violet Carr Moore, copyright 2007-2015.
“And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life,” (1John 2:25, Holy Bible, New King James).
Ask a dozen colleagues “Do you believe in eternity?” Responses will vary from silence to shrugs to comments that religious discussions aren’t allowed in the workplace. Chances are those who respond will say no. Ask a dozen born-again believers about eternal life and you will get smiles and positive reactions.
Scripture says Jesus lived to die, died to be resurrected and was resurrected to provide eternal life with Him. That’s a promise.
Prayer: Lord, I believe Your promise of eternal life. Amen.
Devotion by Violet Carr Moore
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child, (Luke 2:4-5, Holy Bible, New Living Translation).
- Joseph, a descendant of David, had to travel from Nazareth, Galilee to Bethlehem, Judah to be counted in the census decreed by Caesar Augustus. The journey, estimated to between seventy and ninety miles (up to 140 kilometers) through rough terrain, had to be a major challenge for Mary, his espoused wife, heavy with child. I tried to visualize Mary on a donkey, a familiar Christmas-card scene. I can’t imagine her walking that distance either. No matter how she made that journey, it had to be uncomfortable if not down-right agonizing. She did not question the journey knowing that life would not be a smooth road, but understanding that each step led toward a promise.
- Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to enjoy the journey You have outlined for me.
- Devotion by Violet Carr Moore