December 21… the first day of winter, and the year’s longest night. For those who have lost something or someone during the year, this night can be a forebearer of a Blue Christmas. And so, as part of our Advent preparation, our Blue Christmas service helps us to re-connect with God’s promises. A loss may be a painful bump in the road or change in course, but God is still in control.
During our service on 12/21/16, Pastor Jim turned to the “Minor Prophet” Zephaniah…
Zephaniah 3:14-18
14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.
16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.
17 The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”
18 “The sorrows for the appointed feasts I will remove from you; they are a burden and a reproach to you. NIV
Zephaniah was talking to the people of Israel who had been hauled off into captivity by the Assyrians. God’s people had suffered many losses by this captivity, but speaks through Zephaniah to re-assure and encourage them. Zephaniah makes four points…
1: Don’t let your hands Hang Limp…
Fear can paralyze. For the Israelites, they were captives of Assyria. Their culture and even their God seemed as far away as the Temple. But through the prophet, God tells His people to not “let their hands hang limp.” In other words, move on! Keep obeying and praising God. Keep looking for ways to glorify Him.
When we suffer a loss, we react with denial. There’s a numbness. It’s a natural reaction that allows us to cope with the shock of the sudden change. And yet, God assures us that there is a time when we’ll be able to lift our arms and return to faithful service.
2: God is With You!
Verse 17 reminds the Israelites that the “Lord is with them.” Even during the exile, God still watched over them. It was part of His plan, and He knew that He would one day bring them back.
For those who are mourning a loss, it seems that you are alone. People are friendly and caring, but they can’t replace what’s lost. There’s a piece of you that’s torn away. And yet, God is with us. The one who provided the channel of love that you once had is still with you, ready to continue to care for you.
3: He Rejoices over you with Singing!
The end of verse 17 tell us that God delights in us. In fact, He rejoices over us with singing!
Music is a powerful tool. People on their deathbeds, those who can’t speak or who otherwise seem unconnected with the world, can usually connect with music. A hymn sung in an ICU room can have a powerful effect, drawing the singer (and maybe even the “sing-ee”) closer to God. Even as we sing music to God, God sings to us using creation and the love flowing through His people.
4: He will Restore You
In verse 18 God eyes the “sorrows” and “burdens” of his people and promises to remove their sins. Like the prodigal son, God the Father will welcome them home and restore His relationship with His people.
When we mourn a loss, we loose connection with the things that are “normal.” Going forward as we did in the past is impossible. God doesn’t promise to restore the things we’ve lost, but He does promise to remove the burdens of our losses and to restore us to a joyful and productive life that’s lived in a faithful relationship with Him.
I Was There… I Am Here…
The service ended with the singing of the hymn “I was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” (by John Ylvsaker). The lyrics remind us of God’s continual presence throughout every leg of life’s journey…