December 10:
B.C. verse: Matthew 1: 22-26
A.D. verse: John 14:21; John15: 10-11
Christmas hymn: “Emanuel, God With Us” by Amy Grant
Hymn for today: “God With Us” by MercyMe
There is an incurable epidemic that runs rampant among the teenaged set
(and ok, adults too). It is called procrastination. Perhaps, you may have heard
of it?
I am, by nature, NOT a procrastinator and never have been. Whenever a
new task presents itself, I typically dive in right away and get it done. From
the time my kids were very little, I tried to instill this same work ethic into
them, and when they were little, I could control the circumstances and
consequences with more success. Now that they are on the cusp of adulthood, I
have come to the often painful conclusion (since I can clearly the train wreck on
the horizon) that both of them have to face the consequences of their choices.
However, that doesn’t mean that I have given up the fine art of “reminding.”
In their vernacular, my reminders are
referred to as “nagging.”
On one particular occasion, my son had reached his zenith with regard
to my reminders. He said rather pointedly, “You do know that your nagging just
gets me mad, right?”
Without missing a beat, I asked him, “Well, you do know the cure for
nagging, right?”
Sensing a trap, he asked anyway, “No. What is it?”
“If you would do what I asked you the first time I asked you, nagging
would be unnecessary and therefore would not exist.”
He wasn’t impressed with my wit, but he did get my point.
Yesterday, we read about Joseph’s dream – how God had implored him to
keep Mary as his wife. In today’s verses, we read his reaction to that dream. “When
Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his
wife” (Matthew 1:24). From what we read, there was no hesitation or
procrastination. God commanded, and Joseph obeyed. His actions are a reflection
of his reputed righteousness. “Those who accept my commandments and obey them
are the ones who love me “(John 14: 21a).
People naturally prickle when they read or hear the word, “obey.” It means all sorts of “icky” things that are
averse to the self – to comply, to conform, to follow commands and the guidance
of others. In a modern culture that promotes me-first self-preservation, this
is a highly unpopular, even combative notion. While me-first logic and action
provides short-term happiness, does it educe long-term joy? In my experience,
the answer is no.
Oswald Chambers, in his book, My
Utmost for His Highest, addresses this concept when he says, “An elevated
mood can only come out of an elevated habit of personal character. . .When you
get higher up, you face other temptations and characteristics. Satan uses the
strategy of elevation in temptation, and God does the same, but the effect is
different. . .when God elevates you by His Grace into the heavenly places,
instead of finding a pinnacle to cling to, you find a great table-land where it
is easy to move.”
In other words, true obedience
introduces us to rewards and benefits we could never have imagined on our own.
In short, our submission to God’s commands produces JOY. “I have told you these
things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow”
(John 15:11). If that’s the case (and it is), why would anyone ever hesitate or
procrastinate again?
Daily Challenge: Cook a meal for
someone today, or if you don’t cook, don’t let someone eat alone.
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