Luke 1:52-54 (New International Version, ©2010)
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
Power corrupts. I think we have seen a lot of that in this country lately. We have seen greedy CEO's and Banks create major disruptions in this country. We have seen powerful politicians abuse power, make poor decisions in their social and political lives, then ultimately loose their influence. It is a common theme throughout history all over the world. Many of these men and women don't make any connection with their loss of power and God. But, God has a way of dealing with rulers and powerful people. Sometimes I wish he were more open about bringing these people down off their thrones, but the result is the same.
God has his hand in world events. He takes care of the weak and humble. He holds the rich and arrogant responsible for their actions. I know that their are good CEO's out there. I know that not all bankers, lawyers or politicians are evil. Some of them are very humble people, but we sure do see a lot that are not. We see many that start out as humble servants and end up consumed with power and selfishness.
The Christmas story is about lifting up the humble. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, they are all humble servants of the lord. They have lived lives that were just focused on God and living life. They had no power except the power given them by the creator of the universe. The Christmas story is also about the rich and powerful being brought low. There's no better example than God's choice of who to deliver and raise the Son of God. The most important task of raising the Christ Child wasn't given to the rich and famous, it was trusted with a lowly carpenter and his wife. He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he probably used a wooden spoon.
We should all take heart in this. I will never be rich and powerful, but God loves me and loves me just as much or more than those people. He wants nothing but the best for all of us. But, he knows the corruption behind money and power. He can't stand being second place. He deserves to be first!
Dear Lord, Thank You for caring for all of us. Thank you for giving the lowly and the humble a love which never ends. We are truly humbled by your love for us. We don't deserve it but accept it with gratitude. Please lord help us to always remain your servants, to love you regardless of our position in life!
but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
Power corrupts. I think we have seen a lot of that in this country lately. We have seen greedy CEO's and Banks create major disruptions in this country. We have seen powerful politicians abuse power, make poor decisions in their social and political lives, then ultimately loose their influence. It is a common theme throughout history all over the world. Many of these men and women don't make any connection with their loss of power and God. But, God has a way of dealing with rulers and powerful people. Sometimes I wish he were more open about bringing these people down off their thrones, but the result is the same.
God has his hand in world events. He takes care of the weak and humble. He holds the rich and arrogant responsible for their actions. I know that their are good CEO's out there. I know that not all bankers, lawyers or politicians are evil. Some of them are very humble people, but we sure do see a lot that are not. We see many that start out as humble servants and end up consumed with power and selfishness.
The Christmas story is about lifting up the humble. Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, they are all humble servants of the lord. They have lived lives that were just focused on God and living life. They had no power except the power given them by the creator of the universe. The Christmas story is also about the rich and powerful being brought low. There's no better example than God's choice of who to deliver and raise the Son of God. The most important task of raising the Christ Child wasn't given to the rich and famous, it was trusted with a lowly carpenter and his wife. He wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, he probably used a wooden spoon.
We should all take heart in this. I will never be rich and powerful, but God loves me and loves me just as much or more than those people. He wants nothing but the best for all of us. But, he knows the corruption behind money and power. He can't stand being second place. He deserves to be first!
Dear Lord, Thank You for caring for all of us. Thank you for giving the lowly and the humble a love which never ends. We are truly humbled by your love for us. We don't deserve it but accept it with gratitude. Please lord help us to always remain your servants, to love you regardless of our position in life!
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