Psalm 16:5:
“You, LORD, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.”
Romans 8:28:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
The current events in our nation along with the world-wide pandemic have altered how we think about life and the days ahead. Many continue to deal with fear and uncertainty for what the future holds: when will a safe, effective, vaccine be more widely available; when will schools return to normal; when can we shed the masks; will our country be able to heal after January 20; how will a new administration impact our society? If you think this is a chaotic time now and you are stressed over the heightened emotions in Washington, cities across American and in our neighborhoods and churches, we should be praying even harder for our future. Each one of us undoubtedly has wrestled with a mix of emotions— hopes and fears.
We have just celebrated a most joyous time of year, the message of which we mustn’t dismiss so easily. One of the profound truths of Christmas is written in the hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem:”
O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in Thee tonight.
The words we sang just weeks ago speak of a darkness that existed in the world. Until Jesus came. It is suggested by writers of old that when Jesus was born a hush fell over the earth; stars were silent; mortals slept dreamless sleep. The dark streets of Bethlehem were lit by one single light source—the Light everlasting. And then we sang the verse that really brings it all home, “The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight.” The hope and fears that had been carried and accumulated century upon century, generation after generation, by all people of this earth, were finally realized and met in the person of Jesus Christ. Emmanuel, God with us, came down and met us right here where we live, to meet our need for hope of eternal life and freedom from fear. We no longer have need of fear or to be shackled by it. We no longer have to worry about our future for we have hope in Jesus. So soon after Christmas do we still need reminding?
Thank you, Lord, for Your timeless message of hope that we need right now. Release us from the fears that we are holding onto needlessly. Grant us Your peace and grace to move ahead in the future, whatever it holds, for it is all in Your hands. In the name of the One who is Emmanuel, God with us, our Hope, Jesus. Amen.
