CHRIST, THE LIGHT -- OUR LIFE, OUR JOY

  At our service on new year's morning, we sang: "Oh God, our help 1n ages past, our hope for years to come. Be Thou our Guide while life shall last, and our eternal home." 

  What better prayer could have been offered at this first service of the new year? It gives expression to our need of God and of His presence in our daily lives. Each day is God's gift to us, and it is His will that we would use them wisely. The best way for us to do so is to use each day in the light of eternity. We know that we are daily drawing closer to the fulfilment of our years here, and the dawning of God's eternal sabbath rest. (Hebrews 4: 9) St. Paul expressed this thought by saying: "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." (Romans 13: 11) 

  When considering these things, Moses prayed: "Teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." (Psalms 90: 12)  I believe that this prayer can be understood in the light of the word of Scripture which states that we should give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should drift away from them, and as a consequence not reach that sabbath rest. (Hebrews 2: 1&4 :1) 

  God guides us by His Spirit and His Word. His Spirit calls us to faith and obedience. It reveals Christ and His merits to us; it comforts us in our trials and is the source of our joy. We dwell in Christ through faith and He in us by His Holy Spirit. His Word is a "lamp unto our feet, and a light upon our path." (Psalms 119: 105) 

  Shortly before His death, Jesus said to the people: "Walk while you have the light lest darkness come upon you; for he that walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, so that you may be the children of light." (John 12: 35&36) 

 The Wise men who came to worship Following the word of Scripture, they departed from Jerusalem in order that they might continue their search for Him who had been born King of the Jews. The star which they had seen in the east went before them til it came and stood over the place where the young child was. 

 When the wise men saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. (Matthew 2: 9&10) What was the source of their joy? Was it their human reason and carnal thinking? No. It was the light of Christ--that light which is able to light every man that comes into the world. (John 1: 9) They did not find the new king in Jerusalem in the circumstances which they had no doubt envisioned. Instead, the star in which they rejoiced led them to Bethlehem to a lowly house which must have presented a far less royal appearance than the homes of their own servants. And yet they were not offended, but they fell down and worshipped Him and they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 

(Matthew 2: 11) 

  What does this lesson teach us? For an answer, let us read the words of Martin Luther, who wrote: "Reason and nature never proceed any farther than they can see and feel. The light of nature and the light of grace cannot be friends. Nature wants to feel and be certain before she believes, grace believes before she perceives. For this reason nature does not go further than her own light. Grace joyfully steps out into the darkness, follows the mere word of Scripture, no matter how it appears.

Whether nature holds it true or false, she clings to the Word. This is the kernel of the gospel, in which the nature and character of faith is explained as an assurance of things not seen. It clings to the Word of God and follows the things that are not seen, as alone conveyed in the Word of God. St. Paul's words apply here: "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (I Corinthians 1: 25) Jesus said: "Blessed is he whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me." (Matthew 11: 6) 

  The wise men found their joy in the guidance of the star--the Scriptures which led them to Christ. Our joy must also be in Him. "Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12: 3)   Jesus said: "The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up to everlasting life."

(John 4: 14) 

"O CHRIST, OUR TRUE AND ONLY LIGHT, 

 ILLUMINE THOSE WHO SIT IN NIGHT: 

LET THOSE AFAR NOW HEAR THY VOICE 

AND IN THY FOLD WITH US REJOICE." 

From the archives of the late Pastor A.C. Holmgren-January 1987

Submitted by Pastor Stan