Read Psalm 24:7

Hello Family!

Cell phones. Everyone’s using them, and everyone’s looking at them all the time. Me included. Dr. Dale Meyer (president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis), our old neighbor, regularly comments on how these tools of technology has affected society. Lots of people these days are too busy looking down at their cell phones and not looking at and acknowledging the people around them. We can get so focused on ourselves and forget the people around us. I wonder if we’re going to develop droopy neck muscles?

There’s actually a term and disease for droopy muscles. Here’s something from the Mayo Clinic:

Myasthenia gravis (my-us-THEE-nee-uh GRAY-vis) is characterized by weakness and rapid fatigue of any of the muscles under your voluntary control. It’s caused by a breakdown in the normal communication between nerves and muscles.

There’s no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment can help relieve signs and symptoms, such as weakness of arm or leg muscles, double vision, drooping eyelids, and difficulties with speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing. (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myasthenia-gravis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352036)

There’s something more serious than this. It’s myasthenia gravis of faith. The effects and consequences of sin in this world can cause people to live droopy faith lives. We can get to caught up in the day-to-day issues and problems of this world and forget about the joys and promises that King Jesus has done, and continues to do today.

This verse from Psalm 24 reminds us that we are to be looking up! We’re to lift our heads up as the King approaches in victory (Advent means approaching, or coming)! Christmas is more than simply the birth of Jesus in the manger. It’s more than simply a time of the year when most people have a change of attitude toward others. And it’s way more than simply a time of the year to feel good and live in the Christmas spirit. This is the time of year that the Chrisrtian lifts up his or her head (though the Christian does this throughout the entire year). Our neck muscles of faith are strengthened. Our eyes of faith are looking forward. And our faith sees the King, Jesus, ever approaching! The gates of our hearts have been opened by God and King Jesus comes in–not as the Babe born in Bethlehem, but rather as the victorious King. He brings you the spoils of His war on the cross and the empty Easter tomb. He brings you salvation, forgiveness of all your sins, and He brings you eternal life–RIGHT NOW! There’s no better gift you can receive.

King Jesus brings you this gift again and again and again, every time you read the Bible, and everytime you go to Church and received the King’s Body & Blood in communion. This is why it’s important for you to go to Church on a regular basis. All of us need our neck muscles strengthened. And even though there’s no known cure for myasthenia gravis, there is a known cure for sin and death. That cure and gift is Jesus!

So, get off your cell phones once in a while. Look up! Lift up your heads and see the King of Glory today! He’s a wonderful sight this time of year, and throughout the year!

Love, Dad