Second Day Of The New Year

He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. Galatians 3: 14.

We begin this day’s meditation fixed, focused and filled with the ever outpoured blessing which God has given to Abraham, our father of faith. For those who do not know this promise, I shall bring it to you, trusting that you will be challenged and controlled by it. For those who know it, may it become paramount in your mind and lift you to freshness and newness in our Lord and Saviour.

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed. Genesis 12: 1 – 3. KJV

Jesus, God Incarnate, came to earth to redeem you and me, so that this blessing, poured out upon Abraham, will be poured out on us also. Who are we? We are Gentiles, but thanks be to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, our human birth has no effect on the gracious works of Jesus. That we were not born Jews, is not in any way a deterrent, blot or barrier to what Jesus has done in redeeming us all. The very message, which came in the night time, to shepherds in the fields, by God’s angel, includes all people, not just the Jews, people of the Law. But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2: 10.

Have you heard the inclusive phrase, this Advent phrase? Indeed! You and I are hearing correctly, for it does say, for all the people. Faith and trust in our Sovereign, Father God, who came openly and visibly to earth, in Christ Jesus, with such a proclamation of hope, to all who never stood a chance under the old law, has come with promise. On this second day of the un-weaned, new born year, let your hearts not fear, because Jesus, Saviour and Ruler, did not just bring the Hope of promise, but He Himself is that Hope. In the angel’s forever flowing, Good News, lies the hope of God’s Promise to Gentiles also.

Earlier, I referred to a Gentile as being one who is not a Jew. Then I went on to expand a bit, by stating that such a person is one without the Law. Remember, God chose the Jewish nation as His people. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. Out of all the peoples on the face of the earth, the LORD has chosen you to be his treasured possession. Deuteronomy 14: 2. They were the people to whom He had Moses give His Law. They were to live according to His Rules, His Laws, so that through them and by them, other nations would look and see that Israel’s God is indeed and in fact, the One True God. Sadly, God’s people became a stubbornly idolatrous, adulterous and rebellious people. However, when Jesus came, He gave promise to all people so that through faith and not through the Law, each of us can be our Heavenly Father’s treasured possession, accessing all His promises.

Right now, throwing all your cares and anxieties, fears and uncertainties, at the feet of Jesus, will you surrender yourself to Him so that in faith, these Bible verses will live and lift you higher in faith and trust? Will you believe every word you hear, as you read, and have it saturate you with courage? Will you receive the unexplainable peace these verses give? Here is 1 Peter 2: 9 – 10. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.