We all are entering this year with specific challenges and opportunities. Some of us have made bold resolutions that we hope will change our lives significantly. Some of us are facing sorrow and sadness due to death and disease. Others of us are optimistic and hopeful about our prospects in 2018. There is one question that we must ask ourselves over and over again. Is our God big enough?

By that question, I don’t mean that you have your own individual god. Rather, do you have the correct perspective on the God of the Bible? If there is one thing that would drastically affect your 2018 positively, it is your view of God. In the last chapter of the book of Isaiah God speaks,

Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. Isaiah 66:1-2a

I’m convinced that our view of God is the most important thing in our lives. Too often our view of God limits him to a genie in a bottle, or a violent judge, or a jolly old man not so different from Santa Claus. God is rarely anything like our visions of him. When we learn to believe his own self-revelation from the Bible we are rightfully awed and gloriously encouraged. The challenges of earth sit cleanly underneath the feet of the Sovereign Lord. The location of God’s presence is not limited to a church building, but he is everywhere. And all that we see, well God made it all. So none of our challenges are challenges for God. None of our difficulties are difficult for God. None of our ambitions are ambitious for God. He is far grander, far greater, far more powerful, and far more glorious than we could ever imagine. And God tells us what our response to his grandeur should be.

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2b

When we see God for who he reveals himself to be, we can only be humble. When we see God for his holiness, we must be contrite. When we learn to read and heed God’s self-revelation from the Scripture, we must tremble in awe and application.

I cannot tell you what 2018 will hold. I cannot anticipate all the opportunities, challenges, and difficulties you and I will face. But I can tell you that if you want God’s presence and guidance through this year, you need to follow his admonitions. See his glory and humble yourself. See his holiness and be contrite. To see his glory and holiness, read his word and tremble. Tremble in fear at his astounding glory. Tremble in sorrow at your sin. Tremble in wonder at his forgiving grace. Tremble in joy at his offer of relationship.

May this year be for you the year that you see God for who he really is!

I know the holidays are a busy. We are finishing up all the details related to the end of the year. We are preparing for or going to Christmas parties. We are buying presents or helping out others. We are working, serving, going, and doing. But in those quiet moments when nothing else is going on, what is it that you feel?

Do you have moments where hopelessness pervades? Maybe you are in debt and can’t see where your next bill will come from much less Christmas gifts for the family. Maybe you’ve lost someone you love and can’t imagine how you will get along without them. Maybe your health is deteriorating and you can’t see how things will get better.

Do you have moments of trouble and discord with family and co-workers? Maybe there are unreconciled actions and emotions going on in your home. Maybe your work situation sows constant discord. Maybe you’re just worried about all the political and international tension that seems to only ever build and never heal.

Do you have moments where fear and foolishness pervade your life? Maybe your internal fears are paralyzing you. Maybe your constant activity, fretting, and discord has made you ill or led you to make reckless decisions. Maybe you just can’t get your mind off yourself, your troubles, and your needs.

Do you feel like you need a break? Do you feel like you need some hope? Peace? Joy? Love? Wisdom? KNOW this–Christ came at Christmas to meet us where we are and provide for us what we need. His life, death, and resurrection offer us biblical hope (absolute certainty) that we can have eternal life. He is the Prince of Peace and wants to calm the turmoil in your life if you will but trust in him. He is the very embodiment of joy itself and the reason so many familiar Christmas tunes are hopeful and joyful. Sing them with meaning. His arrival and gift of his life is the very definition of love. His love will change you, erase your fears, warm your heart, and make you generous. It is the first Christmas story that forms the basis for all the other Christmas stories where Grinches and Scrooges become joyful and generous. He is God’s wisdom incarnate. Will you look to his word and discover the wisdom to make the choices that are ahead of you?

You see, Christmas is alive because Jesus lives. He came to live for us, in us and through us. Will you allow him to bring you what you really need this Christmas? If you’d like to know more, join us for our Advent series at Wilkesboro Baptist Church. We’d love to have you visit the church or you can follow us online. You can find out more on our website. Wilkesboro Baptist Church