God Plans a Better Future

After 2 years under a global pandemic, many of us were hoping that this Christmas would be better than recent years. The end of this week it was announced that there is a new omicron variant that will prolong the effects of this virus.

But what if the quality of your Christmas was not dependent upon world events, local circumstances, or family quarantines? What if supply chain, inflation or travel restrictions have nothing to do with the Best Christmas ever?

Over the next 4 weeks we will be looking at 4 ways that God can help you have an Even Better Christmas than you imagined.

I’ve never been a big fan of astronomy. I don’t think there is anything wrong with it, I just have never experienced the wonder that befalls others when they consider space. Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon when I was only 4 years old. So, for all my memory, going to and from the moon was never that impressive.

However, one astronomic fact does carry significance for me: 4 days before Christmas, on the first day of Winter, we will experience our shortest day of the year! December 22 will have more daylight, and each day after until late June.

While stars and planets don’t stir my imagination, light overcoming darkness does make me happy, happy, happy!

God’s past performance gives me confidence in the promises He has made for my future. Just as light overcomes darkness, God’s promised future is better than our current reality.

They Groaned (Ex 2:23 “During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God.” )

The Darkness of Egypt

1. In Genesis 12 (and again in Gen 15) God makes 3 specific promises (a people, a place & a prominence) to Abraham regarding his descendants. By the end of Genesis, Abraham’s great grandsons relocate to Egypt to survive a regional famine.

2. By Exodus 1 the people are multiplying and gaining prominence, but in 1:8 a new king turns the tables from abundance to servitude almost overnight. According to Acts 7, Joshua 1 & 2 take about 80 years. Moses kills and Egyptian bully at 40, then goes to live in the desert of Midian for 40 more.

3. 80 years of harsh slavery and cruel politics brings us to 2:23

Exodus 2:23 ESV:2016

23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God.

A Directed Complaint

1. Notice the direction of their complaint. Their cry went up to God.

They didn’t just complain to each other. They didn’t need good thoughts or positive energy. I saw a report this week that less than 6 out of 10 people directed thanks to God this year. Many thank friends and family for their love and support that permitted individuals to reach goals. I read one article in Psychology Today that identifies the holiday as an American custom where we thank America for the opportunities she has granted.

2. When things are dark and oppressive, do we just curse the dark or do we light a candle? But what if nobody has a match or a flint.

I got weary several years ago of the Survivor reality show. That show has sparked others survival type programs, but almost all of them start with a desire for water and warmth. And those depend upon someone having the ability to create fire.

3. Ex 2:23a sounds to me like contestants arriving on a beach during a rainstorm and discovering nobody has a flint, a lighter or matches.

Transition: Fortunately, the future of Abraham’s descendants did not swing on their resourcefulness. Notice the next 2 verses…

God Heard, God Remembered, God Saw & God Knew (Ex 2:24-25 “And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” )

A Bright Response

1. I told you last week that this word for hear involves sound, thought & response.

2. The word remember is not “I suddenly remembered what I came for in the pantry”, but more so “a reflection that leads to interaction.

3. One of the nuances of the word saw is the idea of “to inspect”. 80 years earlier Joseph saw his brothers and knew who they were, but they saw him and did not recognize. Joseph did some back and forth to inspect his brothers’ attitudes. Just as Jesus healed 10, but only one returned to give thanks, I believe v.25 is telling us that God evaluated their condition and how they would respond to His intervention.

4. This word knew is the hardest to translate. It is a word that comes out of experience (as in many of us know about Patrick Mahomes, but we know Mitch Budke). It can also carry the idea of to make oneself known, to be seen, to become known or to be discovered.

· The same word appears back in 2:14 when Moses fears that his killing the Egyptian had become known.

5. The text is telling us that in response to the darkness and cries of the slaves, YHWH decided to act, he intervened because of his promise to Abraham. When He inspected their hearts, the experience of relationship was restored.

A Plan is Initiated

1. The response to the darkness of the Hebrew slaves started immediately (notice the word NOW in 3:1) but would take some time for it to be realized. Moses’ reticence will delay the Exodus. Pharoah’s stubbornness will require some convincing. When the Israelites get to the border of their land, they will need a 40-year theology lesson.

2. Things will look even darker during the delay. Each person in Egypt would experience the plagues. Each family would taste grief. Pharoah’s entire army would be drowned. An entire generation that left Egypt never saw the victory of Jericho.

Transition: Times were dark in Egypt, but God was at work with a Better Future.

Bridge to Bethlehem

1. Isaiah prophesied a future event that would cause light to dawn in darkness.

Isaiah 9:2 ESV:2016

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

2. In Luke, Simeon declares Jesus is the light the world was waiting for.

Luke 2:30–32 ESV:2016

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation 31 that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”

3. At the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus identifies himself as the fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise.

Matthew 4:16 ESV:2016

16 the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned.”

4. At the fullness, appropriate, right time God sent forth His Son. (Gal 4:4)

5. Jesus made some bold light claims

John 8:12 ESV:2016

12 Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Transition: At just the right time, God responded to Egyptian darkness with the light of fire in a bush that did not burn. At just the right time, God sent forth His Son into a dark world. When Jesus ascended back to Heaven, His great light was taken away and was divided into smaller flames that indwell all believers. Now we possess the dim light, but we long for the bright light again.

We Groan (2 Cor 5:4 “For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.” )

Mk 2:20 foretold that disciples would long for something that they did not have while Jesus was present.

Things are not as they should be

1. They don’t do right

a. Hate & racism

b. Poverty

c. Sickness

d. Domestic conflict and abuse

e. Crime

f. Ethics that some have called “a culture of death”

g. Unjust use of the law

2. I don’t do right! Every single one of us who is honest with ourselves can admit our own struggle with sin.

Romans 7:24 ESV:2016

24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

a. Pride

b. Selfish

c. Bitter and unforgiving

d. Judgmental

e. Greed

f. Gossip

g. Gluttony

h. Envy

Things are not as they will be

1. We are sealed with a guarantee (2 Cor 1:22)

2. We groan for our full adoption (Romans 8:23)

3. Our names are already written in heaven (Luke 10:20)

4. The new has come (2 Cor 5:17) but has not been fully realized

5. Acts 3:21 speaks of a future when all things will be restored

6. Rev 21:4 talks about how things will change from what they are now.

Revelation 21:4 ESV:2016

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Transition: The light of deliverance is found in a person. God chose Moses to lead His deliverance of the Israelites. God sent His Son in the person of a boy immaculately conceived then born in Bethlehem. Our future deliverance is also found in a person.

Christ is Returning! (Jn 14:3 “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” )

When we are troubled by current darkness, we need to hold on to Jesus’ words

John 14:3 ESV:2016

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

When others are troubled by current darkness, we need to remind one another of the promise

1 Thessalonians 4:17–18 ESV:2016

17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Conclusion:

At our Thanksgiving table, one of my family members shared that she is part of a prayer group believing that revival may breakout very soon. I replied that any coming revival may happen after the rapture.

Acts 3:20 states that the times of refreshing that may come from God are connected to Him sending the Christ!

Acts 3:20 ESV:2016

20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

As we enter Advent, my heart’s desire is to whet your appetite and stoke the fires of your anticipation for Christ’s Return.

Our song of response is a song that puts this longing to music—It May Be at Morn.