A secret too good not to share

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Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:23

Written by James Dean

Are you any good at keeping secrets? When someone tells you something amazing but then adds, "But don't tell anyone yet; we want it to be a surprise." How frustrating do you find that? Is it difficult for you to hold it in? I'm sure that your inclination is to blurt it out to anyone who will listen. And when the time finally comes when you are allowed to share with others, oh, the relief!

When we have great news it's only natural to want to share it!

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God keeps his promises

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Published: Wednesday, 23 March 2016 02:21

Written by James Dean

We make promises all the time. As a dad I often make promises to my children: "I'll be there in a minute," "I'll pick you up at 8pm," "Yes, we'll go to Florida again (one day)."

I don't make promises lightly - I intend to keep them. But every time a promise leaves my lips my reputation is put on the line. Will I be able to fulfill what I've said I will do? If I come through, my reputation is retained and I'm considered trustworthy; but what if I don't? What if I break my promise? If that happens once or twice they may let me off - I'm not perfect after all. But what if I never keep my promises? Will they ever believe anything I say?

We don't have to worry about the faithfulness of our heavenly Father. He is utterly faithful. He's never made a promise that he hasn't kept. Right at the beginning of Genesis he promised that he would send a Saviour; he repeated that promise through the prophets and finally we have the record of God keeping that promise in the Christmas story.

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
    one who is to be ruler in Israel,
whose coming forth is from of old,
    from ancient days.
(Micah 5:2)

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
(Luke 2:1-7)

In this second week of Advent we remember and rejoice that God is faithful and kept his promise to send a rescuer, exactly as he said he would. Hallelujah!