“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 NIV
A few days ago, it was the rich, learned men from the East, who found the star of the new King and travelled from far to seek him out and worship Him. Yesterday and today, it was the turn of poor, lowly shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock at night. Again, it has to be emphasized that the birth of the Saviour does not make any distinction between the state or estate of anyone on earth; the gift is given to ALL men, no matter their station in life. If the giver of the gift has made it clear who his gift is for, who am I or what right does anyone have to shut the door against anyone based on their past or present?
Of all of us on earth today, who was there when Christ died, or who could have known the mind of Christ at the time, beyond what has been revealed by God in His Word? This lesson calls me again to caution, so that I do not seek to play God in the life of anyone. The same God reached out to the rich wise men from the East, as well as lowly shepherds nearby. Distance is not a barrier to all that God has given. The same message came to both then, and the same message comes to us also now: a Saviour has been born. No matter what else he becomes to me, he is first the Saviour. No matter what else I get fron God, until He is my Saviour, I have not received the fullness of all that God intends.
What is clear is that even heaven was moved with wonder at what had happened here. A mighty God, who brooks no opposition, stooped so low as to be born like man, in order to save man. Heaven knew who this God is, and it is not a wonder that the host of heaven had to sing the song of todays extract. God is given the highest glory, because all of heaven knows who He is. It is the earth that debates the power, might and wisdom of God; heaven has no such concerns. For heaven, glory is given to God without end. Now, this is where it gets personal: on earth, for as many people as would embrace all that God has given, peace is the result.
Like all that God gives, my freewill is very critical to what I can access. God's favour is the reason why His Son was given, and I must embrace that gift, if I am to enjoy the peace that comes with the gift. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, and he reigns as such in the lives of alll who surrender to Him. If I allow his favour to rest on me, I get the riches of his grace. If I seek to sort out things by myself, I am telling God that I have things figured out by myself and don't need him. Of course, if you don't have the Prince of Peace, how can you have access to the peace that he gives? The world will continue to struggle, because it does not give God room to operate, but for me, it has to be different. Would I allow God have his way this season, so I can access all that he is and gives? God's time of favour is here.
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