The holiday season, Thanksgiving and Christmas, can be hard. We want to rejoice and be grateful, but it can be an unwelcome reminder of loss, of loved ones who aren’t with us, of grief, of how our lives look and feel differently than we thought they would, of unrealized desires, of what is missing. We rediscover that gratefulness is not our first instinct. Nor is it usually the strongest emotion we feel.
I’m not trying to minimize the grief or loss that may come in this season. Rather, I want to remind you that in a world of sorrow our souls still have reason to sing. Our tongues still have reason to give thanks. How can that be? Because, through faith, we have Christ and He has us. He is our reason to give thanks. He is the reason we can sing through the sorrow. He is the reason we can declare “We’re sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). Paul told the Philippians that knowing Christ, gaining Christ, and receiving His righteousness by faith are of surpassing worth.
Yes, we will lose much in this world, but through faith we gain Christ, our priceless treasure. He is of surpassing worth, a worth that cannot be weighed in the balance or comprehended by the human soul, a worth that we will marvel at for eternity together (2 Thessalonians 1:10), a worth that will drive out the sadness and pain from our souls forever. As the warmth of spring drives out the bitter cold of winter, so does the warmth of His glory and goodness drive out the bitter cold of life in this age.
During this season, remember who you have and who has you. Remember that He bought you with His blood (Acts 20:28) and loves you as the Father has loved Him (John 15:9). Remember that He clothed you in His righteousness. Remember that He gave you the Helper, the Holy Spirit, who intercedes for you according to God’s will (Romans 8:26-27; John 14:26). Remember that He is for you and working even the bad things for your good (Romans 8:28-29). Remember that He’s coming again to make all things right and new.
With all the saints, let’s sing the song of sweet salvation, “And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you (Jesus) to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10).
“It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; he who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” (Psalm 136:23-26)
Thank you, Lord, for your steadfast love and glorious salvation!
Chad Kettler
Lewisville Campus Pastor
The Door Church
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