Today is Christmas Eve.
Today's readings are Psalm 98:1-6, 9, Isaiah 44:21-45:13, 20-25, and Revelation 12:1-17.
Our readings today are about deliverance. God is delivering his people from their bondage. He is pouring out his righteousness and his mercy. In Revelation he protects the male child who is under the attack of the serpent. We see in this conflict that it is God and God alone who has worked salvation. He is the one who has revealed himself. He alone makes and keeps his covenants with his chosen people. He is the only true judge.
In the judgment of God it is necessary that there be distinctions between good and evil. That which is blessed of God is blessed and remains. That which is not blessed of God is not blessed. It is going to be destroyed. What is the distinction between that which God favors and does not favor? At first glance it looks like it is the choice of God. That is clearly what brings God's favor. But what brings his displeasure? We see in Isaiah 45:22 that those who do not turn to God in order to depend on his mercy find themselves as the people in darkness, the people who are not his people.
As our Lord has called all people together in Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world, may we turn to him and be saved. He is God, there is no other.
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