Friday, December 20, 2002
Boomer. That was the name of the bully in my neighborhood when I was just a little feller. This terrorist "wannabe" would pick on us, intimidate us, even steal my White Sox stuff. And we never stood a chance - he was big, at least compared to us. But one day I'd had enough. I went where none of us ever dared go - right to Boomer's door to get my stuff back. You say, "What a brave little guy you were." Well - there's one little detail I left out. My father went with me. And that made all the difference! Boomer was bigger than I was - but my father was bigger than Boomer was!
I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Christmas Promise that Changes Every Equation."
There's a three-word promise in the Christmas Story that changes things as dramatically as it did to have my father with me when I confronted Boomer. In Matthew 1:23, our word for today from the Word of God, the angel prepares Joseph for Mary's virgin pregnancy - and says, "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel - which means, 'God with us.'"
There are those three words - "God with us." A God, who like my father with the bully, is bigger than everything that's bigger than you are. And that awesome God is with you as you face whatever is bigger than you are. The decisive difference of God's presence with you isn't just portrayed here in the Christmas Story - it's all through the Bible.
Moses felt totally inadequate to be God's man for the job of liberating his people - but God simply said, "I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12) Pharaoh is bigger than you are Moses, but I'm bigger than Pharaoh - and I'll be with you. Joshua must have felt overwhelmed by the task of following Moses, leading a stubborn nation, and going against the Jerichos of Canaan - but here's what God said to him: "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) Okay Joshua, Jericho is bigger than you are, but I am bigger than Jericho - and I'll be with you.
Eleven disciples had just been given the staggering assignment to get the Good News about Jesus to "all nations." How could such a tiny army of such flawed people dare to think about impacting a whole world? Jesus said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me ... and surely I am with you always..." (Matthew 28:18-20) In impossible situation after impossible situation, the difference has always been "God with us."
Now, about the "Boomer" you're facing right now. It seems overwhelming, unbearable, impossible, and out of control. To you, maybe, but not to the Lord of the universe, Who has promised to be with you - if you belong to Him. If you're not sure you've ever begun your personal relationship with the One who died for you, tell Him you're His, beginning today. Please let me send you the booklet, "Yours For Life," that I wrote about belonging to Him. Just let me know you want it.
If you belong to Jesus, Almighty God is with you! That changes every equation, overrules whatever has been paralyzing you, and redefines what is possible. Whatever is bigger than you are, Jesus is bigger than it is!