A Whisper of Hope

"In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the year Evil-Merodach became king of Babylon, he released Jehoiachin from prison on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month. He spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat of honour higher than those of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. So Jehoiachin put aside his prison clothes and for the rest of his life ate regularly at the king's table. Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived." - 2 Kings 25:27-30 (NIV)

As Pastor Andrew pointed out in this week's sermon, 2 Kings could have ended with v26. But it ends with v27-30, a whisper of hope :)

"After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah* was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, Abiud the father of Eliakim, Eliakim the father of Azor, Azor the father of Zadok, Zadok the father of Akim, Akim the father of Eliud, Eliud the father of Eleazar, Eleazar the father of Matthan, Matthan the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ." - Matthew 1:12-17 (NIV) 

*That is, Jehoiachin(!)

Joy has dawned upon the world
Promised from creation
God's salvation now unfurled
Hope for every nation

Not with fanfares from above
Not with scenes of glory
But a humble gift of love
Jesus, born of Mary

Trust in the LORD

"Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." - Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (NIV)

And so,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

No Greater Joy

"But why should the pretended pleasure of sin allure you, when you know that unspeakably more real pleasure will arise from the mortification than can arise from the commission of sin? Will you prefer the gratification of some unhallowed passion, with the deadly poison which it will leave behind, to that sacred pleasure which arises from fearing and obeying God, complying with the dictates of conscience, and maintaining inward peace?" - John Flavel, Keeping the Heart

"There is a greater pleasure than the empty promise of sin. It is "that sacred pleasure", as Flavel calls it. It is the life of fearing and obeying God, of believing the truth that God Himself is enough, satisfying our deepest desires." - Jonathan Parnell, Joy Comes to the Rescue

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." - Psalm 34:8-10 (NIV)

There is a Higher Throne

"He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen." - Revelation 22:20-21 (NIV)

Freedom of Choice

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse - the blessing if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known." - Deuteronomy 11:26-28 (NIV)

You can choose your actions but not their outcomes.

"And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?" - Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (NIV)

Give Me Your Hand

Toshi proposes to Andrea! - ACJC Alumni Choir Advent Concert, 8 Dec 12

Behold the Lamb (For Christmas)

Behold the baby born in Bethlehem
God in flesh, born of a virgin
The promised seed to crush the serpent's head
Jesus, our Immanuel

Shepherds quake, in fields where they lay
Angels sing: Christ is born today!
As a sign, wrapped in cloths and hay
Jesus, the baby born a King

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." - Luke 2:14 (NIV)

Random Thoughts

1. Do the right things and do things right.
2. Change before change is forced upon you.
3. Think to value-add.

Don't Waste Your Life

I will tell you what a tragedy is. I will show you how to waste your life.

Consider this story from the February 1998 Reader's Digest: A couple 'took early retirement from their jobs in the Northeast five years ago when he was 59 and she was 51. Now they live in Punta Gorda, Florida, where they cruise on their 30-foot trawler, play softball and collect shells...'

Picture them before Christ at the great day of judgment: 'Look, Lord. See my shells.' That is a tragedy.

- John Piper, Don't Waste Your Life

The outcome of following God with a false heart is a wasted life.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past
Only what's done for Christ will last

- C. T. Studd, Only One Life

Joy Has Dawned

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned... For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." - Isaiah 9:2, 6-7 (NIV)