I love warm weather and the sun! It is now December and as the temperatures drop, I like to think of being at the beach. I imagine the warmth of the sun shining on my face as I look to spot dolphins in the deep blue waters. There have been many times I spotted what I thought was a dolphin but instead it was a rolling wave or a person snorkeling. How disappointing!
Jackie shares an experience in what she calls a mirage:
“I saw what I thought was a penny, I stooped down to pick it up and nothing was there. Jesus reminded me that I have done that very thing numerous times in my life. I reached for what I thought was there, what I wanted to be there instead of praying and waiting on Him to provide for me according to His will for my life. I came up empty handed in both situations. But when I seek Him first, He’ll add what I need when I need. I don’t have to be fooled by a mirage.”
Have you ever grasped? Have you ever come up empty handed?
Maybe you placed your hope in someone to rescue you from a situation and they failed you.
Maybe you placed your hope in a career to fulfill your craving for achievement but now find yourself lonely and unfulfilled.
Maybe you placed your hope in the approval of others and discover you cannot seem to measure up to their expectations.
Friend, we grasp for many things in life and come up empty handed.
The Bible reminds us of some that came up empty handed as they sought the Savior. They were looking for a hero, a fierce King, not a newborn baby born to a poor couple. They were relying on their own understanding and what culture had defined to be.
Luke writes about people that recognized the Savior others rejected. They did not come up empty handed when they encountered God’s glory in the person of Jesus Christ. Luke included some of these encounters so we would know that they are not an exception to the rule but that we too can experience encounters of God’s glory through His Son Jesus.
Consider the following encounter, from Luke 2:
Before this encounter a census is required of everyone and Joseph, being of the house and family of David, must go to the city of David which is called Bethlehem. Mary is pregnant during this time and gives birth while there.
Forty days later they take Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem.
“At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So, when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying, “Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!” (Luke 2:25-32, NLT)
At that very moment, Anna, a widow, and prophetess that never left the temple, came up and began giving thanks to God and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38).
Mary carried her baby into the temple. Of all those waiting on their savior, only one knew that He was right there in their presence. Â Simeon was looking for who God would send for salvation not what culture determined. He had faith that God would fulfill His promise in His way and in His timing.
Could that be you? Are you one of many in the temple missing the presence of Jesus?
Could it be that you are reading the Word with a hardened heart? If so, you may never catch a glimpse of the One who loves you, Jesus.
- Ask God to reveal to you what is keeping you from having a tender heart and for help to reconcile the hindrance.
Could it be that when you pray it is with wrong heart motives? If so, you may never experience His grace in answered prayers.
- Before you pray, examine your motives and realign them with the likeness of Jesus’ character.
Could it be that your circumstances have tangled up your thoughts keeping your mind off Christ? If so, you may miss seeing Jesus even in the smallest way-like a penny that is in your path to remind you who He is.
- Hold your thoughts captive in Christ by meditating on His word.
Could it be that like Jackie you are reaching for what you thought was there? Are you reaching for what you want instead of waiting on Jesus to support you according to His will for your life?
- Wait a little longer.
Do not miss the One who is Emmanuel, God with us. When you seek Him with all your heart you will find Him and not come up empty handed (Jeremiah 29:12-14).
Christmas is a wonderful time to be reminded of His presence, provision, and promises. Keep the main thing the main thing during Christmas and that is celebrating our Savior’s birth. Recognize He is the answer to all we need. He is the fulfillment of eternal Hope. The Prince of Peace. King of Kings.
His birth, death, and resurrection are not a mirage.
Merry Christmas my friends!
P.S.
Question: In what way are you hoping to see the Lord today? Is it in your finances, a relationship, your career, healing, or something else? I would love for you to comment. You can even respond with a one-word answer. I will be praying specifically for you, and we will ask God to do only what He can do.
Do you need prayer? Contact Jodi by clicking here. Or email Jodi at email@JodiAiken.com.
Scriptures used in this post:
Jeremiah 17:10, 29:12-14, Psalms 38:15, Luke 2:25-38, John 1:1, Philippians 4:6-7
*To watch this episode, visit my YouTube Channel, “Pennies in Your Path.” You can also listen on most any podcast app at “Pennies in Your Path.” Click here to see a few of the options.
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