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What God Offers Through Christ Jesus
From Psalm 72:1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son. 2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. 3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. 4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. 5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. 6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. 7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.0 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service. 12 For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
The CBS News broadcast recently reported an On The Road segment with Steve Hartman in Pennsylvania on the man called Secret Santa, who passes out $100 bills to strangers. Spending his own money, this man usually gives out more than $100,000 a year to bless people. This story from Redding, PA, featured an answer to prayer. The mystery man was asked if he cared how the money was used, and he replied, "No, because I do not judge." One of the recipients of the gifts was a man who the night before had an argument with his girlfriend about his heroin addiction. This man had taken their son's toys and sold them for his addiction. The girlfriend, who has not left the man because of her love for him said, "Why don't you throw up a quick prayer to God? I know you don't believe in God, but maybe you can start?" So, he did. The next day the secret Santa sits next to him and hands him several $100 bills. The man said, "I didn't earn that!" Secret Santa yes, "You you did because you're a good man." Steve Hartman asked him, "When was the last time you heard that?" The man begins to weep and said, "Maybe from my mom." The man had not seen this kind of kindness before and it was too much a coincidence for him to bear. He decided he would check into a treatment facility. Even though this has happened before, this was the first time he entered into one with a belief in a higher power.
This story goes with these gifts that God has given the One whom we prepare for during Advent. The Lord of love and hope who comes with all the psalmist said he would, to deliver and make right those in situations that were not of God, such as addictions. The oppressor of drugs can and should be crushed; and those under the hold of such a power should be delivered.
Advent is a time of spiritual preparation and what better way to prepare than to turn over to God those things that don't belong to Him and have been destroying or harming your life? God brings justice to those who seek Him, and as a result the prosperity of peace will be theirs.
PRAYER: Loving God, speak to me and my need. I turn over to You those things that have been stealing, killing and destroying my life. I seek the fullness and abundance of life that Jesus offers. And then, may I share that news with others. This I ask in Christ Jesus' precious and powerful name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
