Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 23, 2020
By Guest Writer Jill Hooper
When they [the wise men] heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11
The Little Drummer Boy story/song is a creative reminder of how to bring our best gifts to Jesus in worship and thanksgiving. A child that leads others to Jesus as the child was doing what he loved, beating his drum—so others followed. Let’s unpack some of the song’s lyrics:
“Come”— That’s what Jesus says to us every minute of our lives. With every beat of our hearts, Jesus says come, come, come, come to Me for life, love, healing, comfort and forgiveness.
“Our finest gifts we bring to lay before the King…so to honor Him”—what is the finest gift God has given you? Are you an honorable accountant whom God has gifted with a mind which can compute incredibly? Are you a wife at the sink washing dishes to serve her family? Do you collect garbage and answer to demanding hours and physical stress to execute your job? Are you a widow walking with God through the deep loneliness which Covid has brought? Do you use the gifts God has given you and the struggles laid upon you as an offering to God? Then whatever occupation or situation you are in is a beautiful gift to God, just like a drum beat, sure and certain even though it might be the background beat to a song—His song.
“I played my best for Him, then He smiled at me”— “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17)
After that verse Paul begins talking about family relationships and then he says, “WHATEVER you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not human masters.” (Colossians 3:23) When we do whatever we do— cleaning, leading a company, teaching, financing, playing soccer, governing, caring for children, writing, reading, thinking, suffering—with God in our hearts and minds, submitting to Him with every step that we beat into the ground on our journey in this life, we know He smiles because we are obeying Him. Obeying Him by doing what the next step requires – work, play, rest, struggle – unto Him. Our greatest joy is His smile… just doing our best for Him brings us that joy.
“Me and my drum”—One day each of us will stand “before the King” alone—just me, just you. What will I, what will you tell Him you did with His creation of you, the gifts He gave you, the circumstances in which He led you? Wherever you are, whatever you do, pick up your drum, your pen, your voice, your hands, your eyes, even your very being for Him. Today you might be organizing the closets in your home or mowing the lawn. Do it all out, full bore for Jesus. You will hear the beat of His heart joining with the beat of your own. And because of that, expect to experience the joy of the Lord—He is your dependable, sustainable and supernatural strength.
The Little Drummer Boy exhibits his talent for Jesus, and others followed to go see God on earth. When we do what we do unto God, others want to see the power behind our joy. Beat your drum, friend, to honor God and find joy, ministry, and blessings. Pa rum pum pum pum, pa rum pum pum pum, pa rum pum pum pum….so to honor Him.
“Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
Prayer
God, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! Not only have you created us with certain gifts, personalities, abilities, and deficiencies, you want us to use them daily and this actually brings us joy!! I give you this day, every step, do with me as you will to carry out your will.
Application
With every step you take today, in every word or deed, laugh or tear, honor God with all you are and all you have.
Related Reading
Nehemiah 2:20; Psalm 136:2; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 Timothy 4:14
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