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Promises of The Star

by Marlene Houk

Burke CountyMarlene Houk

 

My widened eyes absorbed the striking beauty of an unusual Christmas gift, one I would treasure always. A golden star, rising twelve inches graced my Christmas scene, and twenty-six golden points radiated outward and upward. Glowing within the shiny tips, crimson beads dotted the landscape of every spire, reminding me of Scriptural truths in the verses about stars. These truths, like the star that led the wise men, can lead us in the New Year.

My friend, Barb, vibrant with 90 years of priceless wisdom, had offered this precious ornament. Its presence has become a spiritual heirloom, pointing me to powerful truths.

Stars stun us with their power and beauty. And the Bible carries that idea infinitely further when Scripture calls our Savior a Star.  When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin by faith in His death and resurrection, Jesus becomes our Star.

Numbers 24:17 affirms this gift: “I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

Look at the abundant promises in the verse above that mentions the word, star.

  1. We will behold Him.
  2. The promise of His second coming is as certain as His first coming.
  3. Jesus will conquer and punish our enemies.
  4. Jesus is the Star of Jacob and like stars, full of power, beauty, and presence.
  5. The betrayal of people we trusted, who outwardly align with Christ but practice evil will not deter Jesus’s rule of righteousness.

One of my favorite verses that contain the word, star, rests in Daniel 12:3, pointing firmly to God’s promise for those who serve Him. Daniel declares this truth: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever.”

Two promises from Daniel are also connected to stars:

  1. Daniel says that when we are wise, we become bright pointers to the world, much like the Christmas star that led men considered wise by the world but needing spiritual wisdom.
  2. When we have a mindset, a first reaction, a perspective of turning others to righteousness, we will shine like bright stars forever. Turning others to righteousness includes gently reminding our heartbroken friend of 2 Samuel 22:33; leading the conversation around to Christ; offering a comforting smile to the clerk who is being harassed by another customer. Our small deeds shine in the darkness of human frailty. And, as partakers of Christ’s wisdom, we may offer testimonies to His powerful transforming truths in our lives.

Our Star causes great joy, a shining orb, brilliantly glowing within our spirits. And this joy has tremendous power to light the world. When we seek our Star, joy bursts forth to others and upward in worship to Him.

Matthew, the Gospel book whose words gleam with the majesty of Christ as King, tells the story of the wise men when they saw God’s star. Matthew says in chapter two, verse ten, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” And the joy of the Star of Jacob beams within us today.

  1. When we see Him in all of His glory, we can enter into His joy that transcends earthly joy, diffuses many sorrows, and clears up the fog of the future.

The New Testament tells us of the possibilities of intimate and ongoing connection with The Star whose light banishes darkness, replacing our fear and worry with the dawning of joy. Peter reassures us in his second book: “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.” (2 Peter 1:19)

Look at the following promises that glow from this verse:

  1. We can claim an intimate relationship with our Day Star, our Savior.
  2. This same Day Star sheds light in gloomy hearts, refreshing, healing, warming.
  3. As we grow in grace and knowledge He arises like a bright sunshiny day in wintertime, filling our hearts with an eternal focus.
  4. As light pierces and dispels darkness, so our Lord illuminates the dark corners of our days and draws us to His resplendent love.

Jesus is our Star as Revelation 22:16 declares, “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.” 

Each point of my friend’s precious gift to me spoke with laser intensity, lifting me above the mundane of everyday chores and the pit troubles. Like the shepherds that returned to their same life in Luke 2:20, yet bursting with praise and worship to Jesus Christ, I choose to live these promises and worship the King of Kings! Happy New Year and may you be like the shepherds, transformed by His presence in you!

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Marlene is an author and teacher of Bible studies. She may be reached at Bible167@gmail.com

To receive helpful insight from the Bible, sign up for her newsletter at http://www.MarleneHouk.com, or connect with her on other social media. You can read more good Christian News from Marlene HERE.

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