We fail to stand in awesome wonder of our Lord and Savior. I think it is because there is a common misconception among mankind. “I’m good. Also, I’m not that bad. I’m good enough to get into heaven. The big man upstairs will let me in.”
But that’s not what the Bible says.
It says that there is no good in us apart from God (Rom. 3:10). The fool says there is no God (Ps. 14:1-3). We all are born sinners, fallen and corrupt (Ps. 53:1-3). And it is our sin that separates us from God (Is. 59:2). We are spiritually dead no matter how good we look on the outside. This is why we need a Savior (Rom. 5:12). This is why Jesus needed to come.
She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
I think it is necessary to remind us of this Gospel truth every day…because otherwise, we think too highly of ourselves than we ought. And when we think too highly of ourselves…we no longer stand in awesome wonder of our amazing Savior.
This is what happened to the Israelites beginning in Exodus 16. The people forgot about the great wonder of the parting of the Red Sea. The looked at their circumstances, rather than keeping their eyes focused on God. They complained about their daily bread (Exodus 18), rather than worshiping and praising God for what they had. They built idols of earthly, temporary, shiny stuff (Exodus 32), rather than fixating their thoughts and eyes on heaven above.
Oh, like the Israelites, we are prone to wander.
Reorient your focus this Christmas season to keep your eyes above the fray. Only Jesus is worthy of our praise and adoration!
How is God making Himself manifest in my life right now? Will I respond with adoration and praise?