The Divine Symphony

“Now the LORD said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’”

—Genesis 12:1-3

The Advent season is the time of year when we remember the wonder of Jesus’ birth all over again. While we live in this fallen world we are plagued by injustice, tyranny, disaster, tragedy, and the all-encompassing power of sin. Jesus’ birth is a reminder that God saw us in our misery and decided to save us from it. Centuries ago, there were others who looked forward to Jesus’ arrival in the world. Throughout the Old Testament there were glimpses of Him, prophecies of what His coming would look like, who He would be, and what He would do.

The first prophecy about Him came after our first parents partook of the forbidden fruit (Gen. 3:15). God mentioned a future deliverer who would defeat the serpent, Satan. In veiled imagery, we learn of Jesus’ death on the cross. Satan would strike a mortal blow to Jesus, bringing about his own defeat in the process.

The song of salvation may have begun with the single small note in Genesis 3, but throughout scripture, the divine Maestro cues his prophetic instruments through various prophets of the Old Testament. Each prophecy of scripture adds to the great symphonic song of God’s salvation.

One such prophecy comes in Genesis 12. God speaks to Abram (soon to be named Abraham) and gives him certain promises for his life and his future. He promises to do three things: #1. He will make of him a great nation. #2. He will make his name great so that he will be a blessing. #3. And last but not least, He will bless all of the families of the earth through him. God would offer salvation through Abraham’s descendent, enabling all of the families of the earth to receive salvation through Him. That’s Jesus! What a blessing! What a promise!

My dear brother or sister, I hope that this Advent season might be a time of rediscovering Jesus. I pray that we might see in Him the hope of the universe, freedom from sin, the joy of our salvation, and the reason for our lives. Today, don’t wallow in despondency at the song this world plays, but revel in God’s song of salvation that is replayed each and every Christmas for all who are willing to hear! Amen.