Merry Christmas!

This past year is not one we would have chosen for ourselves. But, thankfully, our lives are not ordained by our good pleasure or desires. They are ordained by God's good purposes, ones that will bring the most lavish glory to Him, Who so richly deserves it. And, it is oftentimes the most troubling and baffling incidents that bring the most glory to Him.

The book of Habakkuk reminded me of what's important on Christmas Eve morning. The prophet speaks of impending disaster upon Judah for its rebellion, and yet in the midst of the prophesies of financial disaster and devastation, Habakkuk reminds his audience of what is crucial in this life, especially when all the props are knocked out from under a person. Chapter three, verses 17-19 Habakkuk prays~

"Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
  
yet [my emphasis] I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
   
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places." 
                                         ~Habakkuk 3:17-19, ESV

There have been many bright spots this past year~a new grandson was born in April, our youngest son married his sweetheart, our third born returned to the Lord, and 13 APC students graduated in November. God was pleased to show His goodness in joyful events. He also showed His goodness to us by disciplining us for His glory and for our good through experiences that aren't pleasant.

But Habakkuk reminds us of what is most important in life~rejoicing in God, taking joy in the God of our salvation. And it is only the God of the Bible that can be this solid Rock during times of testing and turmoil~the God Man Christ Jesus we celebrate this Christmas season. The God Who took upon Himself flesh and blood so that He might share in flesh and blood, and be like His brethren, we who believe! Isn't that amazing? There is no other god on the face of the earth like Jesus Christ. None can hold a candle to Him. No one.

I don't know what 2015 will bring for the Singletons or for you, but my prayer is that we will be found rejoicing in the LORD, taking joy in the God of our salvation; that the God of the Bible would be our strength.


Merry Christmas!
Tracy and Karen