Many years ago, I saw a comic strip that was actually very fitting for the current times.  In it, a very happy-go-lucky character was skipping across the frame, declaring that which was filling his heart: "Joy, joy, joy."  Just then, he spotted a pessimistic grump.  You know the type, don't you?  The one person who could get you depressed.  Immediately, his tune changed to, "Caution, caution, caution."  When she was gone, he went back to "Joy, joy, joy."  We live in a day when so much of the world, and yes, even the church, would love to steal our joy in the Lord and replace it with caution, caution, caution!

     Caution can come in many shapes and sizes.  Many will try to tell you that you really don't need to go beyond just a mental “belief” in Jesus.  Many will caution you that if you start taking the commands of Christ seriously,  you will  live in a legalism that is expressed in endeavoring to do good works in order to be saved.  Some will caution you about looking to the Lord for a deeper life with Him in the power of His Spirit.  They will try to tell you that you received everything you needed when you said a "sinner's prayer," regardless of any effect, or lack thereof, in your daily life.  Some will even caution you to not doubt their salvation because they were raised in the church, and therefore, have always been saved. 

     One form of caution that is especially prevalent right now as we come down to the end of this millennium is the Y2K hype.  Some of the strongest cautionary warnings are coming from the so-called “Christian community,” much of it with the intent of selling everything from books to bunkers.  Caution, caution, caution seems to be all about money, money, money.  Some are even using Y2K to signal the end of the world.  Impossible!  While I do believe in the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ, the actual end of the world can not possibly happen until after the Great Tribulation.  This seven-year period of time, as described in the Book of Revelation, could begin at any time—as soon as Jesus raptures His true, overcoming church (1 Thess. 4:15-18).  Now, I have little doubt that there will be some computer problems next month, and some of them may even be pretty major, but all of this hype has created another problem.  Many are so sick of it, they have tuned the whole thing out.  The Lord wanted to use this impending problem as a wake-up call—making clear that we are not really as all-knowing as we think—we are a finite creation, and He is the infinite Creator.  All the hype has also filled many with caution, caution, caution, especially in a month that ought to be filled with joy, joy, joy.  The only way to have that true joy, is by turning to the One Who should be the focus right now—Jesus Christ, the Lord of Christmas.  Journey with me back through time and discover how God’s prophesied plan was fulfilled when ordinary people did not allow their joy to be taken away by a spirit of worldly caution.

     Almost 2000 years ago, a young couple was planning to get married.  But then, it was discovered that she was pregnant.  Nowadays, this doesn't seem to be much of a problem, but back when people cared about what God says, this was a very big deal—and, by the way, still is, whether people realize it or not.  The angel Gabriel told Mary, "The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." (Luke 2: 35)  That would have thrown a monkey wrench into just about anybody's dream of white picket fences and 2.3 kids—you know, the perfect family and marriage?  Can’t you just hear Satan’s caution, caution, caution—“This is ridiculous, Mary, you don’t have to do this—you have your rights, your whole life will be ruined.”  Quite on the contrary, she was filled with joy, not caution: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." (vs.38) In fact, far from ruining her life, she recognized her own son, Jesus, to be her own personal Lord and Saviour.  Remember? "And Mary said, 'My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.'" (Luke 2: 46-47)  She did not sit back and rest in the fact that she had always been Jewish, and therefore, saved—she repented of her sin and found salvation in the only one who can give it—Jesus.

     Joseph had a similar experience.  When he found out about the unexpected expectancy, he, in an effort to spare her, considered a quiet divorce.  In this, she would not be stoned to death, as the law required for sexual immorality.  But an angel appeared to him in a dream, encouraging him by saying, "Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name JESUS: for He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 2:20-21).   The cautions must have been piercing him from every angle, but his joy in the Lord was full—without hesitation, he did as the angel had said.

     And don't expect the “caution, caution, caution” to stop after you have dealt with them once.  During Mary's pregnancy, "there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed." (Luke 2:1)  This meant them, not just everybody else.  And Mary couldn't just stay home and rest in her ninth month—she was also "of the house and lineage of David."  Caution, Joseph, don't take your wife out on trip like that—away from all of her family!  But he did—"And so it was, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  And she brought forth her first-born son, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn." (Luke 2: 6-7)    Imagine, the thoughts that could have entered their minds upon seeing that “delivery room.”  "Boy, that does it.  I'm not putting up with this, I should have listened to the voice of caution."  But we don't hear any complaining—they were just doing what God called them to do and that gave them joy, joy, joy.

     And the story is not over yet—it turns out there were shepherds out during the night watching their sheep.  All of a sudden, an angel appeared to them and told them the good news—their Lord and Savior had been born nearby in a stable.  What happened next?  "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.'" (Luke 2:13-14) Imagine the discussion after the angels left—"What do you think, guys?  What should we do?  Well, we can’t just pick up and leave to check it out; we have to stay here with the sheep.  We have to use a little common sense here.  And if we are going to err, we must err on the side of caution."  Well, there was none of that—"And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.'" (Luke 2:15-16) Joy, joy, joy—not caution, caution, caution!

     The same could be said concerning the dangerous trip of the wisemen from the East. (Matthew 2:1-12)  The same thing could be said of Anna and Simeon, who had waited their entire lives in the temple for such a moment as they experienced eight days later. (Luke 2:21-40)  The same thing could be said for the disciples, Paul, and countless other true believers, both then and now.  All of them were ordinary people who could have lived their entire lives on the side of worldly caution, basing everything they were about on worldly common sense.  Satan would have loved to steal their praise, but instead, they chose to deny self and surrender to the daily rule and reign of the Lord Jesus Christ in total abandonment, and were filled with joy.  And praise God they did!  What about you?  Worldly caution or Eternal joy?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christ Our Rock Bible Church has once again written its own Advent Devotional booklet, entitled, "Sing a Song of Christmas."  Each daily reading is focused on a Christmas carol and the Scriptures behind it.  Request your free copy today or find it on the Internet.  Have a very blessed and joyful Christmas!!!