Rejoicing

      Today, I'm rejoicing.
      Not in perfect circumstances--never this side of heaven.
      Not in perfect health--too many people I love are waging fierce battles against disease.  (Lord, I hate cancer…but I know You do too.  And You are right here in the fray with those we love who are waging war against this enemy.  Fight for them, Mighty King!)
      Not in perfect people all around me--we're all, all, all sinners.  But we're sinners saved by grace, praise God.
      And certainly not in perfect me--oh mercy, where would I even start to list the ways I fall so far short?  But again, grace…glorious, beautiful, wondrous grace.  That amazing grace was given by the Son...who was given by the Father.  "Thanks be to God for His inexpressible Gift." (2 Cor.9:15)  Gift upon gift upon gift!
      Today, I'm rejoicing in that gift of the Savior.  The One who came to set us desperate, diseased, discouraged ones free.  No, your circumstances may not be ideal.  Your health may not be great.  The people you care about may be enduring a challenging season of life.  You may not not yet be the person you long to be (but by God's grace are becoming!).
      But no matter what the outward conditions of your life, you can rejoice in the Savior who came to this broken planet to bring redemption, reconciliation, and restoration.
      "Joy to the world.  The Lord is come!"  He has come.  He is here now.  And He is coming again!  Which means He redeems our past, present, and future.
      Stop fretting over the past--it's over.  Christ has come, and He has covered every sin by His blood. If you have asked Jesus to be Your Savior, you are forgiven. Forever. Cease all that hand-wringing over mistakes of the past and live this day as a redeemed child of the King.
      Stop missing the joy of the present moment--Christ is here.  How incredible is that--the Lord of the universe is with you!  Emmanuel.  Right now, even as you read these words, He is as near as your next breath.  Oh will you pause and praise Him for His presence, His power, His nearness, His forgiveness, His grace.  Let's live this day with joy, for He. Is. With. Us.  Amazing.
     And stop worrying about the future--Christ is coming again!  The King is coming, and He will make all things new and glorious and right.  He's got the future totally covered, so we can relax and trust the One who made all things and holds all things together by the word of His power (Heb.1:3).  Worry is disbelief.  And disbelief is a sin.  And sin is why He came.  So confess that worry to Him (I'm preaching the gospel to myself), and live this day in the certain hope and joy that He is coming again.
      Today, let's rejoice in the King born in a manger…born to set His people free.  Free from fear.  Free from disease.  Free from discouragement.  Free from purposelessness.  Free from regrets of the past; free from worries over the future; and free from missing the joy and wonder in the present.
      Thank You, thank You, thank You, Lord Jesus.  Thank You for coming.  Thank You for staying.  Thank You that You are returning.  Might we join in the celestial chorus--
      "Oh come let us adore Him, Christ the Lord!"  Today, let's rejoice!
      To God be the glory.