INTRODUCTION

There once was a very elderly gentleman, who was quite faithful to His Lord and loved Him with all his heart.  You could find him in the church every time there was a gathering of the Body of Christ, for he knew the Lord could not be separated from His Body.  At one Wednesday evening service, the pastor asked each one present to come up and give testimony as to his or her favorite Scripture passage.  When it came to be his turn, the man slowly rose from his seat, and carefully made his way to the pulpit.  He then proceeded to announce that his favorite Scripture was, "And it came to pass."  Seeing the questioning looks throughout the congregation, he explained, "Yes, it's my favorite because it always reminds me, that no matter what hardship I'm going through, it will not last—it, too, will pass.  My God is in total control of everything, though many times, it doesn't seem like it.  Yes, He alone is over all things, and everything in my life is not just happening to happen—my Lord is designing everything for a purpose—100's of times in His Word, He says, 'And it came to pass.'  But that is not all—100's of times throughout all my years, He has said the same thing."

"And it came to pass"—what a powerful statement of trust and faith.  At Christ Our Rock Bible Church, it is our hope and prayer, that, as you read these daily devotionals during this time of spiritual preparation for Christmas, you will also be struck with the amazing faithfulness of the Lord.  Not only did He speak of His control throughout His dealings with His people in the Old and New Testaments, but He is also trying to speak it to all of us in these days ahead.  I remember hearing of a young man who had watched many a butterfly escape from its cocoon, and every time it was with a great struggle.  One day, he decided to see what would happen if the struggle were gone.  So, as this one butterfly was getting ready to emerge, he slit the cocoon with a pocketknife and let it out right away.  Sadly, it had none of the expected color, it could not fly, and it soon died.  The reason should be obvious—as the butterfly struggles, it is actually being strengthened, and in the process, it is growing.  The application should be even more obvious—as we proceed through this life, there are many struggles that come our way.  This does not mean that God doesn't care—no, it is just the opposite—it is intended that we grow in those times, and draw closer and closer to the Lord with every step.

With every one of these pages, may you know that the Lord of Christmas is right there with you, calling you into an ever-deepening realization that He has a plan and that He wants you to be a part of it.  And it came to pass…

God bless, and Merry Christmas!