16 DECEMBER 2023

 

Trust

“He spoke to our fathers.” (Luke 1:55)

At the age of 24, the man we today call St. Francis of Assisi renounced all claim to worldly possessions and launched out into a life of simple trust in God and preaching the Gospel. Francis’ life was characterized by joyful simplicity and there is a delightful story about which highlights this.

One day, Francis and another brother, Masseo, returned from begging in a small village with only a handful of dried crusts for lunch. They located a spring of water for drinking along with a flat rock which served as their table. Several times throughout this very inadequate meal, Francis would proclaim joyfully, “O Brother Masseo, we do not deserve such a great treasure as this!” Masseo protested strongly, pointing out they had no knife, dish, bowl, table, or house – how could this be called “treasure?” To which Francis enthusiastically responded that it was a treasure because nothing had been prepared by their own work. “Everything we need has been provided by God – the bread, the stone table and the clear running water” he said.

This was all the perspective Masseo needed and after their meal the two men continued their journey “rejoicing and praising the Lord in song.”

Having put God and His Kingdom first, the two men knew the joy of trusting in God Who had promised to meet their every need.

Mary’s song finishes on the short but powerful note that everything she has been singing about – the coming of the Messiah, salvation, freedom from sin and its consequences – are exactly as He revealed to every generation since Abraham.

God promised the world a Saviour and every Christmas Carol we sing, every Nativity scene we see, every Advent devotion we read, every Christmas service we attend, are powerful reminders that God has kept His promise.

And if you place your trust in Him as your Lord and Saviour, He will keep His promise to save you as well.

God keeps His promises!

And because He does, we can trust Him.

Have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? If not, what is holding you back?