Religious Liberty Prayer Bulletin | RLPB 139 | Wed 21 Dec 2011
CHRISTMAS: THE DAY THE BALANCE OF POWER SHIFTED IRREVERSIBLY
A devotional by Elizabeth Kendal
After rescuing Jacob's/Israel's descendants from slavery in Egypt, God
brokered a covenant with them at Sinai, promising to be their faithful God
if they would just trust and obey him. Thus, God's protection was
dependent on the people's faithfulness. The trouble was the covenant
required perfect faithfulness from every individual: thus it was too
difficult for the people to keep, for sin reigned.
When God agreed to let the people have a king, the king became God's
'vassal', standing before God as the people's representative head. From
that point on, God's protection was dependent on the king's faithfulness.
The trouble was kings, like commoners, were flawed, fallible and sinful by
nature: they routinely let their people down, for sin reigned.
To solve the problems of sin and fallible kings, God promised 'Immanuel'
(Isaiah 7:14; 9:1-7). Jesus Christ, son of David, Son of God, is HE
(Matthew 1: 23). He was born a king (Matthew 2:2). He lived a sinless life
of perfect obedience (Hebrews 4:15), thereby totally fulfilling the
requirements of the covenant on behalf of his subjects. Then he died a
king (John 19:19). As the 'Lamb of God', he paid the penalty for the sins
of all who, through faith, would become his subjects (Matthew 1:21).
Having secured salvation, Jesus was then glorified by the Father who
raised him to life and exalted him to the highest place. From 'the throne
of his father David', this King Jesus now reigns forever, for 'of his
kingdom there will be no end' (Luke 1:31-33).
'He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens,
that he might fill [have supremacy over] all things.' (Ephesians 4:10 ESV)
The coming of Immanuel heralded the beginning of the end for the forces of
evil that have reigned in this world. Though Jesus won the decisive battle
over sin and death at the cross, the defeated powers have not yet been
eliminated and are resisting their inevitable end with everything they can
muster.
'They [the combined powers of the world] will make war on the Lamb [Jesus
Christ], and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King
of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.'
(Revelation 17: 14 ESV)
As violent persecution escalates, as Christian security deteriorates and
as religious liberty declines globally -- undeniable facts -- it is
imperative that we 'take heart' (John 16:33), remembering that Immanuel's
kingdom is 'not of this world' (John 18:36) and 'cannot be shaken'
(Hebrews 13:26-29). We, who through faith belong to HIM, are eternally
secure.
It is also imperative that we never give up. For it was out of love for
the world that God gave his only son (John 3:16), so that through him all
the peoples of the world might be blessed (Genesis 12:3). The times in
which we live are times of immense spiritual conflict, for God is in the
process of bringing down all false gods and defeated enemies (Psalm
110:1). Yet ultimately all idols will be discarded and the true Saviour,
Jesus Christ, will alone be exalted (Isaiah 2:10-21). As the battles rage,
the world's greatest need, though it rejects it, is that the Church, God's
instrument of blessing, be upheld in prayer. It is only through the
strength provided by our glorious and victorious reigning King Jesus --
strength he gives in answer to prayer -- will these ongoing battles be
turned back at the gate (Isaiah 28:5,6; Zechariah 4:6). Though she be
assailed on every side, the Church must continue to preach the Gospel of
our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ, the hope of the world. For the promise
is this: the world will finally recognise HIM (see Isaiah 2:2-4; Psalm
22:27,28).
Yes, the coming of Immanuel marked the moment when the balance of power in
the world shifted irreversibly! No wonder the angels rejoiced (Luke 2:8-
14) -- they understood!
May this knowledge -- of who Jesus is and what happened at Christmas --
lead us to rejoice AND inspire us to pray.
'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.' (Revelation 19:6b
ESV)
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We wish all our faithful intercessors a wonderful and meaningful
Christmas. Ponder what the LORD has done and return with fresh zeal
when the RLPB ministry resumes on 4 January 2012.
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For more information, updates and helpful links see Elizabeth Kendal's
This RLPB was written for the Australian Evangelical Alliance Religious
Liberty Commission (AEA RLC) by Elizabeth Kendal, an international
religious liberty analyst and advocate, and a member of the AEA RLC team.
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