Please continue to pray for Sally who is still in a very weakened condition in the hospital after her recent cancer surgery. We will continue to update you as we hear anything new. This devotional was written last December.
“BEHOLD, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Matthew 1:23
BEHOLD!
All through this month of Christmas reflection there has been a word echoing in my heart and mind. BEHOLD! It’s an old fashioned word. We don’t hear it much anymore. But it’s very common in the Word.
It’s not used as much in the more modern versions of the Bible. Depending on what version you use, it’s mentioned anywhere from two times to 1,335 times. It’s used to call attention to something—to make a statement!
The dictionary meaning is to perceive through sight or apprehension—to see or gaze upon—to observe something remarkable or impressive.
One of the more familiar passages in the Bible is from John 1:29 when John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, “BEHOLD the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.”
Another well known one is “BEHOLD, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).
I have a Christmas sticker that I use on cards and letters during this season. It has the word “BEHOLD” with a bright star over the city of Bethlehem. I’m attaching a photo of it below. Every time I’ve looked at that sticker, I’ve thought of how the star was pointing out something very remarkable and impressive—Jesus had been born! The Lamb of God had come to take away the sins of the world. What better announcement than a heavenly statement, a proclamation of what was happening!
As the word has reverberated over and over in my mind, I have found my heart full of worship. I want to BEHOLD Him! I want to proclaim Him! I want to worship Him! He is so worthy. We can truly BEHOLD him:
B – Bless His name continually!
E – Exalt Him, for He is worthy!
H – Honor and worship Him!
O – Only He deserves our adoration!
L – Love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and body!
D – Devotion belongs to Him!
It’s also impacted my heart afresh that we need to BEHOLD Him regardless of our circumstances. Whether it’s a “good” season in our lives or a hard season. Whether we’re well and healthy or sick. Whether all the bills are paid or we have a stack of them due. Whether we have a good job or we’re unemployed. Whether we have questions. Whether we have problems. Whatever our situation is—we need to BEHOLD Him! He is worthy!
Especially in this Christmas season when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we need to BEHOLD Him. I’m offering up that gift to Him. Oh, how I want to BEHOLD Him more and more! I don’t feel I have a lot to offer Him right now in this season of sickness and weakness, but I can certainly BEHOLD Him. I love and honor Him for His faithfulness and goodness.
Father, enable us to gaze upon You, to perceive Your presence, and to observe Your work in our lives all throughout this season.
A picture showing the positions of the planets and stars on dates leading up to this wouldn’t post here, but thought this was thrilling!
A rare “Christmas Star” to light up the Winter Solstice.
This is going to be fun to watch! Over the last few months, Saturn and Jupiter has been in transition across the sky and are slowly “appearing closer” to one another as we approach December 21. Jupiter, the brighter planet, will be on the bottom and Saturn, the “less bright” planet, will be on top on the solstice. It will appear as if the planets are about to collide. We have not seen these 2 planets this close to each other since the year 1226!
Beholding Him, the most important thing!
Thank you for encouragement
Praying for Sally and Floyd this morning.