Will We Seek Jesus?

Wise men from the East looked for Jesus. They had been searching the heavens where they saw an unusual star and they followed the star to Israel. Then they said, Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? (Mt. 2:2a NKJV) They wanted to worship the King.

Shepherds responded after they saw an angelic visitation. They left their flock of sheep and went to Bethlehem because they wanted to see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. (Lk 2:15b)

We may not be able to literally see a star in the heavens or hear a message from an angelic host, but each of us can hear God’s message in our heart. If we listen, we will learn His call is soft, gentle, real. He waits for our response.

Will we seek Jesus—that we might worship Him? Will we investigate the truth He makes known in our lives?

As we celebrate Christmas once again, our goal can be seeking Jesus. Like the wise men and the shepherds, let us spiritually look for Him and upon Him. Let us worship Him.

Originally published December 18, 1987.

They Gave Him Gifts

Worship includes giving. We see this in the Wise Men. When they finally found the baby Jesus after their long journey and after searching for Him throughout the land of Judea, they fell down and worshipped. . . ." (Mt. 2:11b NKJV) They also presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and Myrrh. (Mt. 2:11c NKJV)

We do not know how much the Wise Men understood about Jesus—if they knew He was God in the flesh—a perfect sacrifice sent from heaven to a sin-ridden world.

We do know they were aware of God’s unique stirring in their hearts as they searched for the child. And God supernaturally guided them on their search. After their encounter with Herod, the star which they had see in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. (2:9c)

The Wise Men acknowledged that the child born in lowly conditions was somehow worthy of more than simple admiration. They demonstrated reverence by falling down in front of Him. They worshipped the tiny baby. And they gave Him gifts of great value.

Originally published December 23, 1988.
Picture: Gift boxes. Photo by Solveig.

A Place of Springs

A psalmist wrote, Blessed are those whose strength is in thee, in whose heart are the ways of them. (Ps. 84:5 KJV) The NIV translates ways of them as a pilgrimage. The psalmist was referring to the Israelites who made a pilgrimage or a journey to observe festivals in Jerusalem. They were blessed as they traveled because their hearts were set on worshipping God.

Today we do not have to make physical journeys to worship—we make spiritual journeys. Jesus taught this when He said, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem . . . God is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and truth. (Jn. 4:21,44 NIV)

Nevertheless, the psalmist’s words still apply, because even a spiritual journey requires determination. There will be obstacles, things that hinder or distract us from focusing on God. In fact, we learn the pilgrims travel through the Valley of Baca. . . . (Ps. 84:6a NIV) and valleys refer to trials.

But when a heart is set on worshiping God, His people experience refreshing even when they walk through valleys. Baca referred to springs or a well of water that God provided in the valley. God's waters provide sustenance. Although the journey might be difficult, God’s people emerge refreshed, restored and renewed. They go from strength to strength. (v. 7a) as they move forward.

Originally published August 19, 1988.
Picture: Wildflowers, Glacier National Park, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Inside the Tent

The ark of God’s presence did not have a permanent home during David’s lifetime. Before Saul and David became kings, the Israelites were a losely organized nation. The ark had rested in several locations and at one time it was even captured by the Philistines who were enemies of the Israelites. Although it had been returned, Saul had been content to leave the ark where it rested.

But the Ark of the Covenant was God’s ordained means of speaking to His people at that point in time. It was the focus of pure worship, and David determined in his heart to bring it to Jerusalem.

Moving the Ark was a monumental event—complete with tragedy, delay, blessing, and victory. David did finally succeed in bringing it all the way to Jerusalem where he had prepared a tent as temporary dwelling for it. Then he sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before the Lord. (II Sam. 6:17 NIV)

Until David’s son Solomon built the temple, this tent housed the ark, and it was the center of worship. David wrote a psalm of thanksgiving: Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth. (Ps. 96:9 NKJV)

David did not feel restricted when he worshipped before the ark. He and all who desired could experience God's presence and holiness in the special tent.

Originally published January 11, 1985.
Picture: Commercial display, Greater Twin City area, 2009. Photo by Solveig.

Look and Be Radiant

One of the psalmists said, Look to Him and be radiant. . . . (Ps. 34:5a RSV)

That’s quite an order. Yet the Bible tells us Moses was literally radiant and did not realize it. After spending 40 days and nights with God on Mount Sinai without food or water, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. (Ex. 34:29b)

The radiance of Moses reflected God's glory and it came after deep fellowship with God. God trusted Moses, and He imparted much into His faithful servant. Moses received instructions concerning important laws. There were the Ten Commandments which is still the foundation for our law today—but there were other precepts as well. And Moses also received instructions for worship, sacrifices, and building the Tabernacle.

Moses brought God's instructions to the people and then the radiance served a useful purpose. He needed a divine infusion of God’s Presence to implement God’s plans.

Originally published October 30, 1981.

Discover God Is Real

Abraham had a trusted servant. We aren’t told much about him, but when Abraham sent him on the important mission of securing a wife for Isaac, the man did not pray to God because he had relationship with God himself. Instead, he prayed, O Lord God of my master Abraham, please give me success. . . . (Gen. 24:12 NKJV)

There are people today who have prayed and received answers from God—but who do not claim to know God personally. Usually they know God answers prayer because someone else received an answer or answers. But they are not in the habit of praying themselves. Perhaps they think they are not good enough to pray. Perhaps they do not want to submit to God—they might even think prayer is an attempt to escape responsibility.

Yet, in a time of crisis or need, they prayed. And just as God answered Abraham's servant by providing Rebecca to be Isaac's wife, God answers prayer today. It seems God delights in meeting people when they pray. Sometimes He uses that prayer as a catalyst to bring a person to Himself. Whatever the circumstance, people discover God is real when they pray.

God answered Abraham’s servant. When He did, the man bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. (v. 27)

Originally published January 10, 1992.

God's Presence

Zion is one of the mountains within the city of Jerusalem. Before David captured it, the mountain was an ancient Jebusite stronghold. It is also a natural fortress, and the mountain has a natural spring of clear, life-sustaining water flowing from its depths.

So when the temple was built on Mount Zion, the place of God’s Presence symbolized both a place of refuge and a place of refreshing. It became a metaphor for God’s protection and sustenance.

God repeatedly called His people to come to Him and to enter into His Presence by referring to Zion. Jeremiah wrote, Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God. (Jer. 31:6 NIV)

When the Israelites sinned—lived outside the Law or turned to idols—Zion was a reminder of God’s power to protect and sustain. Going to the temple was an important act of worship, but only because God's purpose was calling the people to Himself.

Originally published July 11, 1986.

Clothed with White Robes

The book of Revelation is hard to understand, but some passages are so exciting we thrill to them anyway.

For example, “ beheld, and lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindred, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes. . . . (Rev. 7:9 KJV)

The multitude worshipped with a loud voice. Angels worshipped, too. Then an elder approached and asked John, “What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they?” (vs. 13b)

At John’s request, the elder answered his own question: “These are they which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (v. 14b)

Originally published September 30, 1983.
Picture: Flowers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2008. Photo by Solveig