September 4: TIDINGS OF COMFORT AND JOY

She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and to His throne. Revelation 12:5

How could a member of the Godhead be born of a woman (Galatians 4:4) in the likeness of men (Philippians 2:7)? The successful and celebrated birth of the baby Jesus into our world, in spite of the enormous hostility of the dragon toward Him and His people, is a statement of the sheer magnanimity of our Heavenly Father. The miracle of salvation springs from the miraculous nature of the love of God.

Matthew and Luke both emphasized the Jewish lineage – forward and backward – of the Lord (see Matthew 1:1-16 and Luke 3:23-38). This male Child, who came as a precious human baby, was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Let us gain a better understanding of this metaphor: a rod of iron. First, we must remember that the rule of Christ is by dual invitation. The meek and mild One invites everyone to come to Him (Matthew 11:28). He also comes to us, politely knocking, awaiting an invitation from each of us to enter (Revelation 3:20).

And, though His sacrificial death to pay sin’s penalty is more than sufficient to cover all the sins of every generation that has or will ever live, our archenemy has created and propagated a slant on Christ’s sacrifice with the goal of sabotaging salvation: that the love of Jesus relaxes the standard by which His people are to live, and lowers the measure by which a life is judged. This is Satan’s main strategy to gain followers. Belief of this false doctrine removes the power from the heart of the gospel; the power of God to restore His image in a person’s character. It also fosters a distrust in His words. Instead of resting in the truth and excellence of the rod of iron, Satan influences human thinking to twist, delete, or abrogate what God has said. In this way, Satan inspires worship toward himself while delighting in the destruction of his worshippers.

In reality, the love of Jesus raises us up to live a life of victory over sin. In accepting that love, we grasp that the perfect standard is not subject to change; we bow before Him and gratefully accept His grace, which is the empowerment to do His will. Oh, the joy! His readiness to dispense this unmerited favor exactly when we need it cannot be overestimated. Dear friend, do you love Him for His unchanging nature of love? Do you love Him for His hatred of that which harms us? Satan wants us to love that which harms us! But when Jesus rules and reigns in your life and in mine – by invitation – this rod of iron is also the Good Shepherd’s staff of correction. What loving father does not desire to correct his children when they are headed for trouble? A loving mother provides healthy food for her children. The care of a loving parent is a source of comfort and empowerment to a child. Likewise, a child of God is truly comforted as he seeks refuge in the LORD. His children delight in His word. But the word of the LORD is a reproach to all who have no intention of obeying it. Jeremiah also spoke of the counterfeit comfort peddled by false prophets (see Jeremiah 6:10,14; 8:11). Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).

Today’s short verse begins with the birth of Jesus and leaps straight to His ascension as the resurrected Redeemer: He was caught up to God and to His throne. His earthly life and ministry, though brief, should cause us to glory in the fact that it was sufficient to set in motion the fulfillment of God’s promise to all who seek to overcome the world (and themselves!), for this is the meaning of the name Israel. His Spirit at work in His people continues that fulfillment. Take comfort in the LORD’s rod and staff! He will always “give it to you straight” with no variation or shadow of turning (James 1:17). Victory is assured to all overcomers!

And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written… Romans 11:26a

For further study: Psalm 2:7-9; Micah 5:2-4; Acts 1:9; Ephesians 1:20; Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21; 21:24