God For Us
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14
“God Hates Us All” was the title of the record released by “Slayer”. Coincidentally, it was released on September 11th, 2001, a day that will be forever etched in our memory. Due to the tragedy, and the implication of title, the promotional posters for this album were taken down almost immediately. The refrain in the title song speaks of its general message: “God hates us all, God hates us all, you know God hates this place, You know it’s true he hates this race”. Though this group may seem to be a fringe, the fact that the record climbed in the top 30 hits in the US and the UK resonates to some degree the pathos of this generation. But there was another musical chorus that two thousand years ago declared a message of a baby born in an obscure stable in Bethlehem. This angelic choir proclaimed to humble shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” “God loves us all” was the resounding proclamation of Christmas!
“Does God love us?” “Does He love me?” “Is God for me? Is He on my side?” This is a question that has plagued the human heart. Christmas says He is! Christmas says He loves you, and the babe born in Bethlehem is His testimony. He is on your side!
I remember the event distinctly when I was in sixth or seventh grade. My cousin, a self-proclaimed palmistry expert, agreed to look for my future as etched in my hands. I had one desire in my heart, and therefore one question in my mind. I wanted to explore the world. I wanted to travel. So I asked her if there was any indication of this in my hand. After a few minutes of intently gazing at the criss-crossed lines from every angle I could conceive, she very authoritatively proclaimed that “in this matter God was not on my side. My fate was sealed. I would never get on a plane, I would never travel.” I had not planned this, but incidentally as I write this, I am sitting in a plane traveling to Dallas. I am glad that the times are not in my hand, but the Bible declares, “My times are in His hands!”.
I am glad for the message of Christmas – it is goodwill toward men. God is for us! May you see God’s love this Christmas!
Danesh Manik
“God Hates Us All” was the title of the record released by “Slayer”. Coincidentally, it was released on September 11th, 2001, a day that will be forever etched in our memory. Due to the tragedy, and the implication of title, the promotional posters for this album were taken down almost immediately. The refrain in the title song speaks of its general message: “God hates us all, God hates us all, you know God hates this place, You know it’s true he hates this race”. Though this group may seem to be a fringe, the fact that the record climbed in the top 30 hits in the US and the UK resonates to some degree the pathos of this generation. But there was another musical chorus that two thousand years ago declared a message of a baby born in an obscure stable in Bethlehem. This angelic choir proclaimed to humble shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” “God loves us all” was the resounding proclamation of Christmas!
“Does God love us?” “Does He love me?” “Is God for me? Is He on my side?” This is a question that has plagued the human heart. Christmas says He is! Christmas says He loves you, and the babe born in Bethlehem is His testimony. He is on your side!
I remember the event distinctly when I was in sixth or seventh grade. My cousin, a self-proclaimed palmistry expert, agreed to look for my future as etched in my hands. I had one desire in my heart, and therefore one question in my mind. I wanted to explore the world. I wanted to travel. So I asked her if there was any indication of this in my hand. After a few minutes of intently gazing at the criss-crossed lines from every angle I could conceive, she very authoritatively proclaimed that “in this matter God was not on my side. My fate was sealed. I would never get on a plane, I would never travel.” I had not planned this, but incidentally as I write this, I am sitting in a plane traveling to Dallas. I am glad that the times are not in my hand, but the Bible declares, “My times are in His hands!”.
I am glad for the message of Christmas – it is goodwill toward men. God is for us! May you see God’s love this Christmas!
Danesh Manik
posted by Danesh Manik | 12:02 PM
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