The One Who Busts Open the Gate

December is the month we usually think of doorbusters, not gate-busters, yes?

To use the word "busts" as a verb is improper English, of course. But, in the southern United States, it is a slang form of the word "bursts".  English lesson of the day is over.  Moving on... Those of you troubled by my colloquial Southern English, go read a Yankee's blog, lol!  (You know I'm just messing with you!)

Here at Advent we sometimes focus on the Messianic name, Immanuel, which means "God With Us".  We ponder how God could have poured Himself into the body of a human baby, to dwell with us, among us, for 33 years.  It is astounding.

In Micah, though, we find (and will look at tonight) an equally marvelous attribute of Messiah - - that of gate breaker.

"The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate and go out by it. So their king goes on before them, And the LORD at their head."

Micah 2:13 (NASB)

Ellicott tells us that The Breaker was a Messianic title, commonly known and understood among the Old Testament Jews.  Micah's ministry occurred in the same time period as did Isaiah's, and both men spoke of the Messiah with various descriptions.  (Think of Isaiah 9:6, for example, probably the most famous of all the Messianic prophetic passages.)  Both men also prophesied that Messiah would gather together the captive, oppressed people of Israel and lead them into His kingdom.  Micah 2:13 is one such verse.

Now, Jesus people, those who claim Him as their Messiah/Savior, know that He did not fulfill Micah 2:13 during His first Advent.  However, during the Advent season, we celebrate both his first Advent (which has occurred) and His second (which has not).

Furthermore, we can celebrate that our Savior still possesses the attributes and characteristics highlighted in both advents NOW, in this present time.

So, yes, God came down at Christmas.  Immanuel - - God is with us.  Although Christ sits at the right hand of Father in the 3rd heaven presently (in our time-bound way of looking at things) (Hebrews 1:3), He is still with us, in our hearts, through the Holy Spirit.

In addition to that, though, He goes before us.  What am I talking about?

Ok, let's say you are the parent of a child, and the both of you must walk from the house to the barn, after a big snow.  Who goes first?  The child?  Certainly not!  The parent goes first, and then the child follows, stepping in the footprints of the parent, as nearly as he/she can.  The parent is "the breaker".  Or, maybe a parent and child are walking through the woods.  On the forest floor there are briars.  There are low-hanging branches to potentially hit the child in the face.  The good parent goes before and blazes the trail, making a way, busting open the gate, so to speak.

Do you need to feel the Savior's love in this way today?  Do you need to remember this, Saint?

Whether you are facing death - - - He has gone before you and has conquered it.  (Hebrews 2:9)
Whether you are facing fierce obstacles - - He has gone before and cleared the way. (Hebrews 2:10)
Whether you are facing a temptation that would wreck your life should you give in - - He was tempted too, and emerged victorious. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

And, my favorite Hebrews passage about the Door-Busting Messiah puts it like this: (oh, how I love this passage!)

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:18-20 (The Message)

How was your day?  No matter how it was, no matter what you are facing - - if you have asked Jesus into your heart and confess Him as your Savior, run for your very life!  Run into the arms of the Gate-Bustin' Messiah.  Run into His arms and never let go of His unbreakable spiritual lifeline!

Aren't you glad He is there for you? At Advent ... and always!

Source:

1     https://biblehub.com/commentaries/micah/2-13.htm

The Ark of His Grace

Greetings, you "overachievers"!

All of you who think "it's never good enough".  All of you who always "bite off more than you can chew" because you want every, single moment of your life to be highly significant.

I know you. I know you, because I am you.

If we are not careful, we will find the waves of this season, this LIFE, sweeping us off our feet, washing over our heads, paralyzing our lungs, dashing us onto the perilous rocks.  

When you've had less than 6 hours of sleep

When you are having your devotions between work assignments (observing teachers today)

When you have 135 half-tagged soap dispenser gifts in your car, unready for this afternoon's delivery

When, at 11:15 p.m. last night you swallowed your pride and begged your husband to clean up the dinner dishes  (and thank the sweet Lord, he did!)

When you are behind in your grading

When you are behind in your shopping

When you don't know your music for the Christmas program

When you feel a cold coming on

When your neck is tight and your stomach sour because your loved one just told you he has to have surgery

When nothing is on the news except news which terrifies and we think, "my child's future?"

All of the above

When you think the waves of this day, this week, this season are going to roll right over you...

Climb aboard, and breathe.  Breathe in great, deep draughts of your Lord.

When the fountains of the deep burst open and the tears of a holy, broken-hearted God rained down upon the earth, there was an ark.  The rampant sin that had so swallowed up nearly every family on the face of the earth, that had corrupted nearly every family's human bloodline broke the huge heart of God.  Because the human race was on the brink of total destruction from its sin, because His boundless heart breaks for what hurts us ...

His heart was filled with pain.  

Genesis 6:6

There is still an ark today, and His name is Jesus.  Climb aboard, Christian.  You have found favor with the Lord.  You have a safe harbor in the Lord.  This is His magnificent, matchless gift to you!

When we climb aboard His ark of refuge, as we go about our daily walk of faith, He assures us that He is there for us in the midst of life's very worst circumstances.  

I read a comment on Facebook recently.  It was from a new widow.  Her Facebook friend had commented that this great lady was missed in an activity they had formerly shared.  The widow assured her friend that she will be back.  But, for now, she is in a time of pulling back as she weathers the storm, wrapped in her Savior's arms.  God's grace and peace wait for her there.  They wait there for you and me too.

Don't you ever believe that our God is some remote, disinterested monarch, watching us from a distance.  No.  

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted, and he saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

"15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Hebrews 4:15-16

That's my Jesus!  Climb aboard the ark of His grace!  

Lord, I am so grateful that we find ourselves nearly suffocated by our efforts to "walk worthy", you teach us to breathe.  You beckon us to come and let the ark of You be our refuge, to let it buoy us and refresh us.  You shower Your grace all over us in that place.  It is there You remind us that Your grace is sufficient for all moments, both beautiful and terrible.  Thank you for holding us securely, in Your loving embrace of grace, while the storm passes by.  In Jesus' name, amen.