PSALM 81:13-16: “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: Is God really for me? This is a question many ask at this time of year. For some the echoes of “Merry Christmas” seem hollow in the midst of their personal situation and pain. If God is really for me, why do I find myself in the situation I am in?

There is no easy answer to this question. It is simplistic to view everything in life in a cause and effect way. This was the error of the Jews during Jesus time. When Jesus encountered a man born blind, his disciples asked him,

• “And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:2-5 NKJV

Take a moment to think about Jesus’ answer. He broke through the stereotypical assumption that the blind man’s personal situation was totally a fault of his own. And then Jesus did something more, He showed God’s intention to do something wonderful in this man’s life. As we read the rest of the story we discover what this was. The blind man was restored to sight.

So many keep the Lord at arms length because they hold a wrong concept of God. They view Him as some tyrannical ruler who is just waiting to punish them when they make a mistake. Or worst yet, they view Him as impartial and totally separated from their present condition. Both of these could not be further from the truth. The Lord declares through the Psalmist,

• “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”

God did not sit idly by to watch His creation come to ruin. He knew and understood the toll that sin had taken upon mankind. Destined for judgment and eternal ruin, God did something. This is what Christmas is all about!

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17 NKJV

If ever the intentions and heart of God were in question, they were answered in one solitary act. This act is called the incarnation. It is when God Himself entered into our plight, took on the form of a human, and came to reveal the true heart and intent of the Father. Jesus lived a perfect life for us, and He took the penalty of our sins upon Himself through His death on the Cross. And He proclaimed forever God’s intent and heart toward us when He rose from the dead.

The Apostle Paul proclaims in his Epistle to the Romans.

• “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:28-32 NKJV

So this Christmas Eve, if you are still in doubt about God’s love and intent for your life, take a moment to look upon three things. Look upon the Lowly Manger where the Creator of the Universe humbly came to live and walk among us. Take a look at the Old Rugged Cross where Jesus died in your place so that you could be forgiven and freed from the power of sin and inherit eternal life. And, look at the Empty Tomb, where He forever proclaimed His love for you when He conquered the power of death and proclaimed “good” over your life!

I don’t know what situation you find yourself in this Christmas Eve. You may be mourning the loss of a loved one. You may be facing a broken relationship or a lost job. You may be battling a long term illness. You may be facing the unknown. Whatever your situation – God is for you! His Word proclaims it. His actions confirm it. And an empty tomb guarantees it. The Bible says let everything be confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses. There are three witnesses that proclaim that God is for you,

• A Lowly Manger…
• A Rugged Cross…
• An Empty Tomb…

Merry Christmas!

In Jesus Name!