Cornerstone

Luke 2:15

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
The baby God was sought by the humble. The high point in the lives of the shepherds up to this time probably was when they happened to see a caravan of some important Roman figure traveling through their territory under heavy Roman guard. They could only watch warily from the crags of the distant hills as the procession passed. They never would have considered coming close to see and speak to the dignitary.

Yes, this night caused their head to spin. They were already rehearsing the story they would tell as their families gathered around them in their humble abode. Who could believe it? The brilliance of the Angel . . . the thunderous melody as the heavenly choir said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (v. 14) left them quivering with excitement.
Now they were going to look for the baby God. He was the King of kings and the Lord of Lord. For a reason beyond their understanding they had been chosen to visit Him first. God seems to give honor to the humble. They expected nothing and yet they received a Christmas gift that out shines any that could be given.
Maybe it is true that it is closer to heaven when you are on your knees.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Proverbs 3:5, 6 (6)

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

This “if-then” statement has provides a promise that has been an instruction and an encouragement to many Christians.

If – you trust God completely and always

If – you don’t rely on your own ingenuity or abilities at all, and

If – you recognize that without God you are an absolute Zero,

Then – He will be your guide through life.

The Eads Bridge in St. Louis was designed by James B. Eads and was completed in 1874.  At that time it was the longest arch bridge in the world.  It was 6,442 feet long and was constructed with the use of ribbed steel arch spans.  This was the first time this method had ever been used on major bridge project. The people did not trust the structure to be safe.

Therefore on June 14, 1874, John Robinson led an elephant across the new bridge.   It was believed that elephants would instinctively refuse to walk on unsafe structures. Two weeks later, James Eads sent 14 trains across the bridge at the same time.

The bridge that had not been trusted became a common means of passage from Missouri to Illinois across the Mississippi river.  Believers in like manner may have difficulty trusting in God.  We may cling to our old methods of trusting in our faulty intelligence and our weak efforts.  Until we can instinctively learn to trust in Him, and lean on Him for guidance in life naturally, we will continue to stumble from one failure to another.

Dr. Gayle Woods