Partakers Christmas Thought 5 December 2021 – Christmas 08

Partakers Christmas Thought

5 December 2021

Looking Ahead to Christmas – Part 8

 

1 ‘Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness and who seek the Lord:
look to the rock from which you were cut and to the quarry from which you were hewn;
2 look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth.
When I called him he was only one man, and I blessed him and made him many.
3 The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins;
he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord.
Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.

( Isaiah 51:1-3)

Here in the ancient book of Isaiah, we see that faith is nurtured by listening and hearing. People are encouraged to look back and see what God has done with just one man, Abraham! How from him came an entire nation! This bodes well for the future when all history is consummated – have faith in your God who will lead you into the next world! But for now, don’t be afraid of what other people will do – stay close to God, have faith in Him, trust Him patiently and live obedient and righteous lives. For as stated: “my salvation shall be for ever, my righteousness will never fail.” (Isaiah 51:6)

Then we come to a mounting anticipation with bated breath. Quickly the phrase “Awake! Awake!” is repeated, as if to give a sense of urgency. The exodus from Egypt, an event remembered well by the nation of Israel and alluded to in Isaiah 51:9-10, will be surpassed by a new age of righteousness at the end of time. All those “ransomed by the Lord”, those set free by God will enter the city of God with joyous singing which will be their crown! Sorrow and sadness will no longer exist! Gladness and joy will be triumphant! Alleluia! Despite many obstacles in the way, the Lord God will reign triumphant. His Messiah, His Servant will deliver you. His Servant, the Messiah, will be triumphant.

In the podcast today we continue looking ahead to Christmas and its consequences, by seeing what the prophet Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 51 & 12, concerning the encouragement of the coming Messiah for the people of Israel and for the world. What form does this encouragement take? How does the coming Messiah inspire, reassure and support? How does any of this have relevancy for Jesus Christ? We discover how the encouragement, inspiration and support given by the coming Servant relates to the man of history we know as Jesus Christ.

 

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