Galatians 4:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

For Meditation

Nothing warms the heart and refreshes the soul more than assurance and affirmation from the Lord in times of distress and uncertainty. It is like a glass of cold water on a sun-scotched day.

This man tells about his struggle in prayer one night. Many things were on his mind and he was determined to take them to the Lord. After sometime, doubt assailed him. Was he really saved? He travailed through 2 Corinthians 13:5, as he imagined being left behind on the day of the rapture.

“Am I yours, Lord? I need your assurance. Affirm me, Jesus, and if I am not, show me. What else must I do to be saved; for I have done all you’ve said I should do to be saved; and you know I live for you and you alone,” he prayed through his sobs. Feeling dry after drifting off for a while, he sat up for his devotion. The “Our Daily Bread” had this scripture for the day:

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5).

 Isn’t God good? It was as if the Lord was saying to him, “I thought about you today in Grand Rapids when I gave this scripture for encouragement to my children. You are mine and I am yours. Continue to walk uprightly before me and rejoice in your salvation.”

That is the reason for Christmas. It is a period to remember the day Christ came into the world, that “the world through Him”, will be saved (Jn. 3:17). Paul reminds us that “When the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship” (Gal. 4:4-5). “He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God – children born not of a natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (Jn. 1:11-13).

1. Have you received the right to this sonship (Jn. 1:12-13; Rm. 10:9-10)?
2. Are you living as a child of a holy God (1 Pt. 16)?
3. Are you thankful for this sonship that comes only by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8-9)?
4. Are you confident in the security of your sonship (Jn. 10:27-30)?
5. Can you share this Good News with someone by your side during this Christmas season?

I pray that God assures you of your salvation and the security you have in Christ Jesus.

So: May you live as a child of the Most High; and may you be bold in your witness to the only Savior of the world and the Lord of all who turn to Him by faith.

God thought about before Christmas.

Shalom