Above Rubies Daily Encouragement Blogs
THE DEVIL SCOFFS AT THE CEREMONIAL SWORD, No. 4.
(God loves to reveal Himself through a manger mentality).
Isaiah 57:15: “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
The ceremonial sword contradicts God’s way for man. Christianity is misrepresented by all our glamorous buildings and programs. It should be characterized by the humble manger. The flesh is not attracted to it but those who have humble hearts will seek it and find it.
Simple, raw, down-to-earth humility and meekness are the materials with which God loves to build. We best represent Christianity by a rugged cross, a crucified yet living Messiah, and crucified yet living disciples. Why does the church have to make it flashy, pretentious, showy, and grandiose?
Past, present, and future, God looks for “humble mangers” through which to reveal His Son to the world. Much of the present-day church, while giving approval for the humble manger because it sounds so enchanting, would never think of endorsing such humility if it was their own child being born to the King of kings. As always, God confounds the wisdom and pride of man. God’s only begotten Son, who in His pre-existence created all the worlds, was planned before the world began to be born in an animal manger. This is how God confronts the pride of man.
Jesus was rejected by the religious leaders because He never fitted into their idea of how a Messiah should be born, live, or die. Is it not still our pride that causes us to present to the world a glamorous Christianity that still shuns the cross, as well as the manger?
God on earth still loves to reveal Himself through a manger mentality.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
