God with us as Our Father | Dec. 25
Revelation 21:5-7
Joy Penner | Central Abbotsford & Discipleship Pastoral Intern
“5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”
– Revelation 21:5–7
Merry Christmas!
Today we remember and celebrate the Son of God humbling Himself and coming into the world as a baby.
I am not a son, but I am a daughter with a pretty great father. I have gained a lot of things from having my particular dad; he has built me a bookshelf, made me meals, helped me with my car (for better or for worse), and countless other things. But one of the best things I get from my dad is getting to be around him, in his presence, where I am safe and loved and cared for.
In our text today, the Lord gives a sweet promise that the “one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.” Who is the one who conquers? He explained in Revelation 12:11 that they are those who are covered by the blood of Christ’s sacrifice and testify in faith. So every Christian, male or female, is the one who conquers. And what is this heritage? He has made a new world. The broken world that we live in now with all of its pain and suffering has passed away, and the Lord has wiped every tear from our eyes. Not only that, to us who are thirsty He has given living water, eternal life, to revive weary bones and remove the fear of death. Finally, He says that you will be His child, and He will be your Father. We gain all of the benefits of having Him as our particular Father! But best of all, we get to just be around Him, in his presence, where we are safe and loved and cared for.
On this Christmas Day, let us take a moment to pray, to rest in the presence of our Father, who we are able to approach freely because of His Son.
PRAYER: Lord, thank you for choosing to be our Father. Thank you that we get to rest in your presence knowing that you have made a way that we can spend forever with you. Nothing that we have ever done could ever earn this heritage you have promised, but you have given it to us freely. Today may we approach you with the confidence and joy of a child that knows their Father loves them.