“I’m calling on the God of Mary, whose favor rests upon the lowly I know with You all things are possible.” Those lyrics echoed through the sanctuary of our church this Sunday, as voices were declaring that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I’ve been singing this song for a few months now, but today, the lyrics spoke to my heart a little differently. I’m watching our world quickly change, becoming more unpredictable and even more unsettling. As as we near my most beloved Holiday, I’m reminded that in our quickly changing world, God is always the same, and from the beginning of time, He has always had a plan.
A short time after Jesus was born, the Law of Moses required that, “every first-born male be consecrated to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord” (Luke 2:22-24). Joseph and Mary took their son, Jesus to the town of Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Simeon, who the bible says, “was righteous and devout,” (Luke 2:25), was filled with the Holy Spirit and knew by the spirit that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. I think of Simeon and wonder how many years he waited in expectation for the arrival of the promised, Messiah. In a time where Roman rule was popular, taxes were high, and hope was slim, Simeon faithfully stood upon the hope of Jesus, knowing that His birth would bring hope to the world. Simeon knew that although change was all around Him, the God of promises would fulfill what He said He would do. When the long, and expectant arrival of Jesus finally came, “Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:”
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:29-32)
God always has a plan, God always has a purpose, and God always keeps His promise. God had the plan of Jesus from the very beginning, as we first read in Genesis (The Messiah would be the seed of a woman and would crush the head of Satan. Genesis 3:15) There is over 574 Bible verses referring directly to a personal Messiah (Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy, J. Barton Payne). This repeated prophesy was the ribbon that weaved everything together from the beginning of the Old Testament until the end. Everything points to the Savior, revolves around the Savior because everything is about Him. Salvation is the theme through out the whole Bible, because salvation is the hope that we stand upon in this weary world.
He is the Same God yesterday, today, and forever. He always has a plan, and He always will. He is a God of miracles, of promises and in Him all things are possible. We can call on Him, just like Jacob for the generations of blessings. We can call upon the Lord just like Moses to part the waters and make a way when there seems to be no way. We can call upon the God of Mary for favor and we can call upon the God of David for courage. If He could do it then, He can do it NOW! He always has a plan, and He always will. He always makes a way where there seems to be no way. He is our hope this Christmas. He is our hope, HE IS OUR HOPE, our comforter, our Immanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor. He is the Savior of the World and He is the Same God forever.
Emily Rodewald 