Day 13 – The Sign Of True Joy
Luke 2:12 ESV
Focal Scripture: “And this will be a sign for you; you fill find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger”
According to Spuergeon: A baby wrapped in swaddling cloth was a sign to all the world of the savior. A sign of joy. Upon looking at this poor, defenseless baby what thoughts of power and pride can be found. People look to military arms for power and pride. This is a false comfort. With the military comes war. With war comes death. There is no joy to be found here. Upon looking at the baby wrapped in swaddling cloth we see no wealth or prosperity in Him or His parents. Riches and wealth don’t bring complete joy either. Our joy is not in gold, but rather in the gospel. This is a gospel given to all humanity freely to attain spiritual wealth. Our true joy is not of this world and therefore this world cannot provide it. Let us go after and seek our true joy in Christ Jesus.
Joy Born At Bethlehem-Sermon delivered Dec. 24, 1871
My Thoughts: Isaiah 55:8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” As humans we look at things on a very superficial level. Sometimes our eyes deceive us. We see one thing and call it a blessing when in reality this “blessing” might bring problems. Other times we see the simple, the humble and don’t think it worth our time or attention. We would be wise to remember how our savior came into this world, in a simple, hummble manger. We would be wise to remember that God sees things differently and treasures things differently. Let us not seek what wealth this world has to offer. Let us seek God’s spiritual wealth. The wealth that brings everlasting joy.
Prayer Note:
May our hearts always be filled with joy
May we see the world the way God sees it so that we can give them their proper value.