Photo by...Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
In my first year of high school, Australia converted to decimal currency and Simon and Garfunkel released the song, “I am a rock”. While everyone in Australia was working together to adjust to the new currency the song spoke of going it alone. “I am a rock. I am an island.”
It’s a sad song about being hurt and withdrawing into isolation in order to avoid any more pain.
We’ve had some experiences of isolation this year and depending on our nature we’ve either enjoyed or hated those times.
Our God is into community. God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit exist in a divine community of love and because we’re made in the image of God we’re also made for community.
The Christian faith in particular and life in general aren’t meant to be solo adventures. Even those with an introverted nature need others. We all need community.
Paul describes the community in terms of a body with many different and varied parts in Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12. The different parts of the body need each other and when they work together the body functions properly.
The beauty of this image and situation is found in the love and support we give and receive in the community. There are times when we desperately need the support of a loving community and there are times when we provide the support to members of the community.
This ‘strange’ year has highlighted the need for community. We need to care for each other and look out for each other.
It’s great to know God is always doing his best for us. It’s also clear our sisters and brothers are gifts from God. God often helps us through the community. God bless you with all the help you need and with all the strength you need to help others.
Knowing God
by Jim Strelan
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If you knew me, you would know my Father also (John 8:19b).
Read John 8:12–20
How do you know God? How do you know God’s nature, what he is like? The Old Testament testimony to the nature of God tells us that he is Creator, that he is powerful, that he wants a relationship with his people, that he is ‘slow to anger, abounding in love’ (Psalm 103:8b), that he is a deliverer, a rock and fortress, that he has our names carved on the palms of his hands (Isaiah 49:16a) and many other wonderful attributes. But it also shows God as righteous, a punisher, almost a warring God who demands allegiance, a God who is sometimes more hidden than revealed. So, how do we know God? How do we know what he is like?
The best way to know God is to know Jesus. Jesus says that if you know him, then you know the Father. Jesus shows us the Father’s heart. If the God of the Old Testament is sometimes a bit puzzling for you, then look at Jesus. In John 14:9,10, when Philip asks Jesus to show his followers the Father, Jesus says: ‘Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me?’
So, what do we learn about God by looking at Jesus? He wants to be a part of our lives, so much so that he comes as a baby born in ordinary circumstances. He is willing to suffer scorn because of the kind of company he keeps, because he wants ‘sinners’ to come to him. His will is for healing and restoration rather than sickness and brokenness. He is prepared to suffer, be put on trial and experience the shame of the cross for us. The presence of Jesus is all around us in the Spirit whom the Father sends in Jesus’ name. We don’t need to be anxious about our dying because Jesus has prepared a place for us in his Father’s mansion and waits for us to come home.
The devotion from a few days ago says the same thing, and we can’t hear it enough. Look to Jesus. See how he is and who he is. And you will know God.
Thank you, God, for showing yourself in the person of Jesus. I see him, and I see you. Thank you. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
One Lord
by Jim Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name (Zechariah 14:9b).
Read Zechariah 14:6–11
This is a difficult passage. And it’s the kind of passage that some Christians use to justify every action of Israel in the current Middle East tragedy. Texts like this confirm their belief that Jerusalem will stand whatever is thrown against it. It must stand. And everyone will acknowledge God as the one and only ruler of all. The ‘day of the Lord’ will come, so Israel and her actions must be justified at all costs!
We are still in the post-Christmas period when we celebrate the birth of the Saviour, God’s chosen one, who came into the world to draw all people to God. His birth is a ‘day of the Lord’. As Jesus began his ministry – and throughout his ministry – he was rejected by many and welcomed by many. Some wanted him to be king, but Jesus rejected their notion of kingship. Instead, ‘he became obedient to death – even death on a cross’ (Philippians 2:8b). And then God raised him and gave him a seat of honour and gave him ‘a name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow’ (Philippians 2:9,10).
Jerusalem was considered the ‘holy city’ – holy because it was where the temple was, and the temple is the dwelling place of God. But Jesus reminds us that a building made of stones can crumble – in fact, it did. But God dwells not in the confinement of a building, but with his people, wherever they are. In various places, Jesus refers to himself as the temple of God. Where Jesus is, there is his calling to come, to follow, and his promise is to be with us always.
The ‘day of the Lord’ is God’s day. He’s in charge. Whatever that means, whenever it refers to, the issue for you and me is this: Is there one Lord for you? Is there one name above all other names? And are others welcome to know that one Lord, one name?
Dear Jesus, help me to hold fast to the things I know and not be misled by what I don’t. I acknowledge you as Lord of all and my Lord. Amen.
Jim lives on Brisbane’s northside with his wife, Ruth. He enjoys reading and listening to music, is a proud Brisbane Lions member and loves his children and grandchildren. Jim is passionate about the gospel and the freedom it brings.
Absence of Darkness Epiphany (6th January) Read: Revelation 22:1-6 “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 22:5 (NIV)
Every picture I have ever seen of angels shows them shining brightly, lighting a dark place. In the Bible God uses them as His messengers telling the news from Him to people on earth. They can’t be seen by people unless God chooses to reveal them (Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13). However, there are times when angels take on a bodily form and appear to people. In the story of Jesus’ birth, we have many angels appearing to Zechariah, Mary, Joseph and the shepherds. And there are many other times throughout the Old and the New Testaments where God reveals His plan for us humans.
With the angels come the radiance of God. The light of God. This light emanates from His glory. In Revelation 22, the last chapter of the Bible, we are given another perspective of heaven. There will be no night, which means no darkness. Darkness has always been associated with evil and death – when Jesus died “…darkness covered the whole land” (Luke 23:44) and God also says that “He will bring to light what is hidden in the darkness and will expose the motives of the heart.” (1 Corinthians 4:5b) A human trait is to hide things whether physically or spiritually or emotionally and keep others in the dark. When Jesus comes back there will be nothing hidden and everything will be brought into God’s glorious light where all will be exposed and forgiven for those who repent. I am not sure what a world without any darkness, physically and spiritually will be like. I doubt we will even need dark glasses to block out the brightness.
We will want to be in His glory and live in His presence for eternity. As you enter this new year do not be frightened of when Jesus will return, rather be excited for all darkness to be overcome by God’s glory. There are so many still living in darkness so while there is time, work for God and bring more to His marvelous light. Shine out God’s glory for all to see!
Prayer: Most Holy God, angels shine out your glory and tell of your plans. Thank you for shining your light into my heart and life. Help me to live in this glory and tell others of your love. Amen