Christmas List

Isaiah 64:1-12

"And there is none that calleth upon Thy name,
that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee:
for Thou hast hid Thy face from us,
and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities."
~ Isaiah 64:7

Isaiah had been a prophet for a long time. He had visited the throne room of God and written the prophecies of Messiah in chapter 53. Now he saw the need for God's presence among the people, because the people continued in their ways. No one stirred himself up to take hold of God, literally: to fasten onto God. Everyone was perfectly content with their same sinful ways. But Isaiah remembered God's awesome deeds and wasn't content with anything else. His prayer in chapter 64 reveals his hope for more - God's very presence in their lives. Only God's presence could restore their peace.

Today we need God's presence in our lives as much as ever. For years, each December I've written out a Christmas wish-list. I wanted clothes, toys, or candy. But Christmas is about God being with us, Immanuel. As Christmas approaches again, we should be hoping for God's presence in our daily lives. Jesus told us He would be with us always, but how often to we realize that? Like a child Christmas morning who opens one gift and is no longer satisfied with it five minutes later, our weekly doses of God are just not satisfying. Jesus is the only gift that completely satisfies. Spend every day in His presence. Hope for it. Put it on your Christmas list. God will do awesome things for which you do not look!

To God be all glory.