Tonight is the 1st night of Hanukkah....I have done a couple
of blog entries over the last couple of years...http://1ncisfan.blogspot.com/2010/12/hanukkah.html
but this year I want to focus on Scriptures that are read
each night during this feast....tonight being the first night, there will be
two readings....one in reference to the shammash(servant)
candle, the main candle that is lit and lights all others and the 1st candle of
the season....
The first candle that is light is the one on the middle, it
is called the Shammash (servant) candle,
which is then used to light the other candles on the hanukkiah (the nine-branched candelabrum used for the Hanukkah season), the
verse that is read with this candle is a reminder of the One who told us that
He is the light of the world (John 8:12, 9:5, 12:46). It is Mark 10:44:45-"Whoeverwishes to
be first among you shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many."
Just think about it, during this time of the year, so many
are focusing on what they are getting, or creating lists for others so that
they know what to shop for...and we as believers say "Remember the Reason
for the season", but do we really understand ALL of what that entails?
Here Jesus reminds people that His purpose on earth was not to be served, but
rather TO SERVE and GIVE His life a ransom....just think about that...if we are
true Christians (followers of Christ) and to conform wholly to His example in
living and if need be in dying also (Luke 9:23-Amplified Version) than during
this season what are we to do? Of course it is to serve and give...and we do
that when we think of others. I think of a ministry like the Angel Tree
Christmas program that Prison Fellowship started (http://www.angeltree.org/helpangeltree),
of the Food bank in what ever town you may be in (here in San Antonio it's http://www.safoodbank.org/) of groups like the
Salvation Army or Goodwill that you can give clothes to....and when we give and
others are blessed, that is when we feel the joy of the Lord and the beginning
of ministry....
The verse that is said when the 1st candle is lit is Exodus
13:21-22: "And
the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in
a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from
before the people.”
Take
yourself back to that time....Every morning...the presence of the Lord was
there...Every evening...the presence of the Lord was there. People didn't have
to worry about whether or not the Lord was with them; they could look outside
their tent flaps and see....HE WAS THERE! You read the verse, He did not take
away the pillar of cloud, or the pillar of fire, and it was with them wherever
they went! What about us....are we as sure that the presence of the Lord is
with us....Just as He never take away the pillar, He never takes away His
presence from us. It is us that forgets that He is there, that all we have to
do is open our spiritual eyes and see that His presence is with us in the good
times and the bad...I can tell you from personal experience...He is just as
there in that hospital room that I was in as He is when I am praising Him in
the sanctuary...this should bring us confidence and remind us that since He is
there, that "greater is He that is in us (with His presence) than he that
is in the world". Psalms 27:21 tells us: The Lord is my light and my
salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom
shall I be afraid?" If His presence is with us and He is greater than
anything out there, what have we to fear....contrary to FDR's words...there is
nothing to fear....as long as we remember His presence.
So as the
first candle is lit tonight, or as you're going on your way to where you're
going this afternoon/evening, think on these things and let us have
comfort during these times....
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