1. I see creation and re-creation. Original creation is found in Genesis 1; re-creation or restoration in Ezra (after being exiled), ultimately in Christ (Matt 1), in a new people being formed (Acts 1).
2. I see our God as Creator and Provider. He not only creates, but He provides for His creation. In Genesis He provides a caretaker for creation; He provides food for man and beast. In Ezra he provides those who will give to the building project. In Matthew we have the ultimate provision for mankind in Jesus. In Acts God is providing for His church all they need to carry out their mission. Isn't it great to know that our God is a providing God.
3. I see the Holy Spirit present in each chapter: hovering over the waters, stirring men's hearts to give, producing life in Mary's womb, equipping the church to be missionaries.
4. I see God commanding and where His commands are followed good things come: creation is birthed, a people mobilized to return home, the Savior birthed and cared for, a witness proclaimed.
As I think about the New Year ahead with all its challenges, I take heart in knowing that I have a God who not only creates and commands, but who provides, and if I follow His lead I know I will see His plan unfold and experience the wonderful good He intends. He is trustworthy; my faith is well placed in Him.
In a devotional I read this morning I encountered a similar theme. George Morrison notes: The wonders of tomorrow depend on the sanctification of today—a new surrender here and now is the prelude to a wonderful experience, which ought to be borne in mind by those who are growing weary of their work and dreading the prospect of another year. The enthusiasm of youth may have departed, the strength we once enjoyed may have been weakened, the freshness may have been rubbed off things through the ceaseless handling of the years. But if, here and now, facing the unknown in our Lord’s fashion we sanctify ourselves, tomorrow will be more wonderful than yesterday....With a fresh surrender of ourselves, with spirits receptive and responsive, with a conviction that God is ahead, ordering everything in perfect love, let us go forward with the banners flying, to the high adventure of another year, for we have not come this way before.
May God fill you with the confidence that He is able to meet every challenge before you in 2011! What did God show you in your reading?
In reading Matt. 1 today, I wondered about the meanings of the names in the lineage of Christ...now I have read these names many times, but never done any research into what the names mean. I knew that the names chosen were often meant to represent qualities that the parents wanted for the child, but what I hadn't realized is how much the meaning of these particular names told about Christ himself - his attributes or what he brings us or how we should respond to him. this was something that i'd never seen written about before.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to think that those people had little idea of how significant their lives were, in that, they were chosen to be in the lineage of Christ. It makes one think that though our lives seem ordinary, God may have a great work He is doing through that life. Ordinary life; extraordinary God!
ReplyDeleteContinuing from before - what I found in my research is that the meaning of the names for the most part fit under three things - Attributes or Qualities of Christ and or God (1), How Christ behaves towards his children (2), and how we as his children are to behave towards him (3). Here is what I found -
ReplyDeleteAbraham - Father of a Multitude (1)
Isaac - Laughter
Jacob - supplanter, held by the heel (2, Christ has supplanted the death and destruction that was brought on us by disobedience in the garden with His salvation through his death on the Cross)
Judah - praise, thanks (3)
Perez - stone (1, Christ is the solid rock)
[Zerah - rising of light (1)]
Hezron - enclosed (2)
Aram - exalted (1)
Aminadab - my people are generous (3)
Nashon - partner
Salmon - garment (2)
Boaz - strength, swiftness (1)
Obed - servant, worshipper (1 & 3)
Jesse - gift, wealthy (1,2)
David - Beloved (1)
Solomon - Peace (1, 2)
Rehoboam - broad people
Abijah - the Lord is my father (1)
Asa - doctor, healer (1)
Jehoshaphat - the Lord judges (1, 2)
Joram - God is exalted (1, 3)
Ahaz - possessor (1, did not follow God, yet God possesses all things)
Hezekiah - power from God (2)
Manasseh - forgetfulness, caust to forget (2, He has no memory of the sins of those who have been washed in his blood and are saved)
Amon - educator, builder (2)
Josiah - the Lord saves (1)
Jechoniah - preparation, or stability, of the Lord (2)
Salathiel - asked or lend of God (2)
Zerubbabel - born in Babylon
Abuid - Father of Praise (1, 3)
Eliakim - God will establish (2)
Azor - A helper (2)
Zadok - My righteousness of God (1)
Achim - Whom God exalts (2)
Eliud - God is Grandeur (1)
Eleazar - God is my Help (1)
Matthan - Gif or Hope of the Lord (2)
Jacob - supplanter
Joseph - He will enlarge (2)
Jesus - The Lord is salvation (1, 2)
That is quite the list!
ReplyDelete