Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:41:10 -0600
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Dec. 20); BP: Lk. 1:39-56; RBTTY: Rev. 11; Micah 1-3
December 20 “On Leaping for Joy”
“For, lo, as soon as the voice of your salutation sounded in my ears the baby leaped in my womb for joy.”
Luke 1:44
When the Spirit indwells we’ll find ourselves “jumping for Jesus” in every situation.
“Leaping for joy.”
If we try to picture this in our mind’s eye, most likely the sight of a fan jumping out of his seat at a sporting event fills our head. Even now we can see him leaping out of his seat. . . popcorn in one hand. . .a soft drink in the other, spilling it all over him. . .as his team scores the winning touchdown, basket or run in the closing seconds.
He’s excited. Ecstatic. Exuberant. Elated.
Why, he’s downright “FANATIC!”
The question, then, from a spiritual standpoint is “Why aren’t we when it comes to the things of God? If the One we serve has truly obtained our eternal redemption by His death on the Cross . . .been miraculously raised from the grave by the Father’s resurrection power. . .and is even now preparing a place for us in Heaven. . .why aren’t we also, like the unborn John in his mother’s womb, ‘leaping for joy’ at the sound of His Voice??”
Sure. John was “different.”
His was an unplanned pregnancy—but a miraculous, God-ordained one (Lk. 1:11-17).
And, his dear father, Zacharias, had already been told John would be “filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb” (v.15).
So, we shouldn’t be surprised that he’d do a Holy Ghost slam-dunk in Elizabeth’s womb that day when Mary suddenly appeared and said “Good morning,” should we?
Hmm. . .interesting spiritual “fodder,” isn’t it?
True, John was “different.” His birth was “different.” His purpose in life was “different.”
But, shouldn’t ours also be different—at least in the area of our reason for being?
Assuredly it should.
Think about it:
When the God of the universe sets up housekeeping in our heart via His Holy Spirit we are also “different” and should have a different outlook in life. An eternal perspective. And, an ecstatic passion and enduring purpose. Just because the Resurrected Lord Jesus lives within us and has chosen to use us for His glory and our/others’ good. Hallelujah!!
Later on Dr. Luke gives his abbreviated version of the Beatitudes (6:20-49) and therein describes how we should react when we’re undergoing oppression and persecution (vv.22-23). Should we be surprised that he wrote “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy—for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven” (v.23a)? No, we shouldn’t be surprised—for “we count it all joy when hard times come” (James 1:2) knowing we’re a threat to the evil one’s kingdom and a blessed tool in the Master’s Hand. Just make sure you don’t let anyone or anything rob you of your joy, Pilgrim (Jn. 16:20-24). . .for the time’s coming when you’ll cross Heaven’s threshold and leap forever into your Savior’s arms. What a glorious Day that will be! Are you ready??
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