News

The church in Smyrna was getting crushed. And though they are about to suffer for a brief time, the church in Smyrna will not be fearful but faithful. By God’s grace, they will remain faithful to the end. And church, though we might suffer for a brief time, we will not be fearful but faithful. By God’s grace, we will remain faithful to the end.

Jesus tells the church who He is. Jesus knows all about them. He praises much about them. Yet, He has this against them: they have abandoned the love they had at first. Therefore, He calls them to remember from where they have fallen. He calls them to repent. He calls them to do the works they did at first. And unless they repent, Jesus will come to them and remove their lampstand from its place. Were they listening? Are we?

At a time when he faced his own fears, his own isolation, John receives a revelation of Jesus Christ. By God’s grace, John sees Jesus more clearly than ever before. In the passage here, John recounts the thundering majesty and comforting presence of Jesus. John sees and hears Jesus Christ, the Lord God, the living one. And when he sees Jesus, John falls at his feet as though dead. But Jesus lays his right hand on John, and says, “Fear not.”

Keep looking to the LORD God who looks upon you. He knows those who fear Him, who put their hope in His steadfast love. Those who know the LORD wait upon Him. They know that He is their help. He is their shield. Their heart is glad in Him, because they trust in His holy name. They cry out to Him, asking that His steadfast love be upon them, even as they hope in Him.

The word of the LORD is upright, and all His work is faithful. So, shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous. Keep on trusting the LORD. Stand in awe of Him. Urge all people to stand in awe of Him.

There is great blessing from God that flows to the one whom He forgives. That person knows God. And by God’s grace, that person is you, and that person is me. By God’s grace, we know and trust Him. We know that He is our hiding place. He hears our cry. He preserves us from trouble. He protects us. He instructs us. He teaches us in the way we should go. He calls us to turn to Him. He calls us to rejoice in Him.

There is great blessing from God that flows to the one whom He forgives. By God’s grace, that person knows God and knows that he can turn back to God when he sins. And so, when the godly person does sin, he is honest with himself. He is honest with God. He admits his sin to God. He doesn’t hide it anymore. He confesses his sins to the Lord. Then, he rests in God’s blessed forgiveness.

God’s timing is perfect. He works in amazing ways to bring people and events together for His glory. God sends His Son in the fullness of time. By His wisdom and might, God brings people face to face with Jesus. He shows them His salvation in His Son. Like Simeon, may we remain attentive to God’s work among us. May we live righteous and devout lives for Him. May we continue to walk by God’s Spirit. May we behold the glory of God in Jesus. May we see Jesus for who He is.

What’s the best news you could get this year? What news would bring you great joy? What news would leave you changed forever? Please listen closely. Please take this to heart. God brings good news of great joy for you. What does He say? A Savior is born, who is Christ the Lord.

Here Luke tells of John’s birth. Luke shows that there is great joy here. There is a focus on God’s faithful promise here. God speaks, and God keeps His word. He does as He says. Luke continues to point out that God keeps His word. Just as the angel said, John is born. Just as the prophets foretold, Jesus is soon to be born. Out of His great, tender mercy, God is at work to send forth His Son. God—in a dazzling tapestry of His steadfast love—intertwines the lives of John and Jesus.