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Many times in my life the splendor and glory of God bursts upon me in sudden and astonishing ways. When I was much younger, it felled me to my knees. Now that I am older, this majesty that explodes before me spiritually puts me on my face before God. I cannot fathom even from the depth and breadth of my soul just how wonderful and marvelous God is to astound me, pointedly and specifically.

After 20 years of marriage, God gave me permission to leave my husband. I had been providing for him for almost three years—providing his liquor and his women while he lounged at home. The provision that I provided, cured me of my co-dependence. For more than a decade I had believed that I was worthless without him, and that his behavior was something that I must suffer. Not because of the children, although that was a looming reason, but because I had been taught over and over that divorce was a sin, and God meant man and woman to be married forever, regardless of fidelity. God showed me how I was wrong about that. So, I left. I had a good job, a car, a good brain. I could survive on my own, and provide for the daughter that decided to move with me. My other daughter took on the responsibility of providing for her father. He had no job, you see.

Shortly after I had moved into a new place, I lost my job. On our way to the store for groceries, the black clouds in the sky perfectly illustrated the storms in my heart and soul. My daughter felt it, too. She was so worried about how we would pay rent and feed ourselves. She voiced aloud the worries and fretting that I felt. As we turned a corner, there in the magnificent, brilliant glory was a double rainbow. That was God putting His hand on our heads saying, “Don’t worry. I promised to provide for you, and I will.” He most certainly did fulfill that promise.

One star-studded night, God did the same thing for shepherds in their fields tending their sheep. Suddenly, the heavens opened wide and the Angel of the Lord declared promise fulfilled by a little baby in a feeding trough in the town of the House of Bread. Jesus is the Bread of Life. How singularly appropriate his bed was a manger. How appropriate his birthing clothes were similar to his burial clothes. Then suddenly a host of angels filled the sky declaring to all who would listen Glory to God in the highest, peace, goodwill to men or among men or toward men. The word in Greek is en (en), and is translated several ways in different translations.

The word en denotes (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest. En is the intermediate between ek that is a preposition meaning origin or where it (rest) comes from and eis (ice) indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose. Jesus is that point that causes the peace and the goodwill. God revealed His splendor and glory in humble circumstances because He first loved us. Jesus is the intermediary that rested God’s wrath from those who believe in Him. Amen.

This one word indicated the fulfillment of the whole of the Old Testament. Peace would finally reign between God and humankind. God’s promise prevailed; His will come true, prophecy fulfilled.

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Keep Your Dreams to Yourself