Saturday, December 10, 2011

Saturday, December 10-guest post by Pamela

Today's reading from the Chronological OT/NT Reading Plan is Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 1

Scripture: Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Observation: God is beyond our human capacity to understand.

Application: As I read this portion of today's reading, this single verse stood out for me. Perhaps it is because I am doing the Jesse Tree devotions with my family (and also with my students at school) that I am again reminded about how God is, was, and yet to be. As we examine the stories that make up the fabric of the Christmas story, the way it all fits together is breathtaking. Only God, the maker and creator of it all, could possibly be able to orchestrate such an amazingly complex tapestry.

Many of my Grade 1 students, despite being in a Christian school, do not attend church. These stories from the bible that I have heard my entire life take on new meaning as I share them with children that are hearing them for the first time. As I read through the devotion about God creating everything out of nothing, I relived the story through their eyes and we imagined how there was nothing...and then God spoke it and it was so. How amazing!

As we've journeyed through the 9 stories so far, we can see God's hand leading and guiding each story to the need for a Saviour. How the world he created and saw as good, became full of sin. And yet, God already knew that it would and he already had a plan to bring us back to him. He let everything happen--in His time-according to His purpose. Our limited human capacity for understanding tries to make sense of circumstances and situations that do not make sense but it is impossible. Only God, who sees it all, can make it clear.

The Alpha and Omega-the beginning and the end. t=This seems impossible to understand because it sounds so completely opposite. As we approach Christmas, this theme is echoed in the Christmas story as the World's most powerful king is born in a stable. It seems so completely opposite and yet it makes perfect sense as a part of God's plan right from the start.

Prayer: Dear Lord. You are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. You are the Almighty Saviour. We come before you as imperfect and undeserving humans who often fall short of understanding just what it means for You to be all-knowing and all powerful and forever. Thank you for knowing exactly what we need, when we need it, and how to give it to us. Thank you for sending Jesus as a part of Your plan right from the beginning as a way to bring us back to You. Be with us and increase our understanding so that we might catch a glimpse of how You have everything all worked out already. Amen.

Tomorrow's passage: Zechariah 11-12 - Revelation 2

1 comment:

Tammy said...

That's one of the reasons I love the "Jesus Storybook Bible" - she adds in details that make it so obvious that each of those OT stories points to Jesus. His "rescue mission" was the plan right from the beginning.

The beginning and the end, a King born in a stable, the last shall be first, you give up your life in order to find it, servant leadership - soooo many biblical truths are so opposite to our human tendencies which is why we need to immerse ourselves in the Truth so we can recognize them and not be deceived by something that sounds good to us.

Thanks Pam.