Shade Tree Wisdom 12/7/09

The reading from Malachi chapter 3, v.7 reads, “I, the Lord, change not”, and adds, “Therefore are you not destroyed”. Let’s keep that promise of God firmly in mind as we notice they’re at it again, running ads on busses reading, for example, “No god? . . . no problem”, or “be good for goodness sake”. Such signs will appear on busses in various cities, and probably will draw strong reaction again, as they did last year.

Matthew Staver, founder of the Liberty Counsel, a conservative religious law firm called them “insensitive and mean”.

How ought we react? Let’s first of all pray for them, because “none so blind as they who will not see”, is a truth that applies. Even on the cross Jesus prayed for His enemies “for they know not what they do”.

We are on our Advent journey, and we meet those with spiritual needs, and physical needs. Was the man of John chapter 9 already along the road when Joseph and Mary went by? Jesus met his need, remember when he restored his sight.

That is why Jesus came after all, to be “A Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel”. He is the Light of this world. Let’s just be busy introducing people to this light, instead of bewailing ads and signs that are so fleeting.

“How silently, how silently,
The wondrous gift is given.
So God imparts to human hearts,

The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
The Dear Lord enters in”. LSB 361,3.

In these busy times, do not allow the devil to take your eye off the Savior, who comes as a Babe in the manger at Bethlehem. Rejoice, rejoice, for he is your Savior, your Lord, as He is mine. And with that, I am content, as you should be too.

GPD 12/7/09