More Abundantly Than All That We Ask
Journey to Christmas with the Midwives of the Messiah
By Sharon W. Betters
Today’s Treasure
Between now and Christmas, we are pulling back the curtains on the lives of five women: a wounded widow, a professional prostitute, an indomitable immigrant, a bathing beauty and a terrified teenager. Each of us already walks a pathway marked out for us by our faithful God. Over the next few weeks, like the wise men before us, we journey toward a manger on that pathway, ready to celebrate the birth of our Messiah. Are you anticipating with great joy our destination? Or have your to-do lists already started overwhelming you emotionally and physically? After traveling some days, we will lay our heads down, bodies crying for physical rest, minds racing with undone tasks.
For some, Christmas preparations are the last things on your minds. Similar to Ruth, one of the midwives of the Messiah, you anxiously work the budget, trying to find money for food and basic necessities let alone Christmas presents. Or like Bathsheba, you live with terror every day as you try to protect yourself from abuse. Others relate more to Tamar – you don’t know where to turn for help in the aftermath of abandonment and betrayal by the very ones who should care for you. No doubt some of you struggle to know how to declare your newfound faith, knowing such a declaration will alienate you from your family or friends as Rahab experienced. And then there are some who sense God’s calling to a place where obedience will lead to uncertainty and untold pain like Mary and of course, many of you are in a respite season, eagerly making your lists, organizing your calendar, anticipating the celebration of Christmas with family and worship with your church.
Where ever you fit, take a few minutes to stop right now. Breathe deeply and intentionally ask the Lord to show you a tangible way He is keeping the promise of Today’s Treasure:
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
End your prayer with words similar to these:
Lord, I don’t know how You will keep this promise for me, for our family, for my precious loved one. I choose to trust You are working behind the scenes in ways I can’t imagine and that ultimately I will see Your glory on this journey to Christmas.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
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Do you journal? If not, start one for this Christmas season. Record your answer to the question, “What do I want for Christmas that cannot be broken?” Read Matthew 1 and note the names of the five women included in the genealogy of Jesus. Ask the Lord to open your mind and heart as to how each one of these women gives hope to women today. In your journal write a prayer starting with words of thankfulness for the most perfect, priceless gift of all – Jesus. Describe what gift that cannot be broken you want more than anything and why. Ask the Lord to use His Word to open your eyes and heart to the many gifts He has already sent your way. Commit to thanking Him several times today for those gifts.
Suggested Online Message: Introduction to Harlots and Heroines, The Midwives of the Messiah: Interview with Chuck Betters found at MARKINC.org in the “In His Grip” section.
Sharon W. Betters is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, pastor’s wife, and cofounder of MARKINC Ministries, where she is the Director of Resource Development. Sharon is the author of several books, including Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness, and co-author with Susan Hunt of Aging with Grace. She is the co-host of the Help & Hope podcast and writes Daily Treasure, an online devotional.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.