{"id":1695,"date":"2020-12-16T16:03:47","date_gmt":"2020-12-16T16:03:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/safeplacewithruthgraham\/?p=1695"},"modified":"2020-12-16T16:03:47","modified_gmt":"2020-12-16T16:03:47","slug":"chariots-and-christmas-peace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/safeplacewithruthgraham\/2020\/12\/chariots-and-christmas-peace.html","title":{"rendered":"Chariots and Christmas Peace"},"content":{"rendered":"

What does a chariot have to do with Christmas? Chariots are not part of the Christmas story. They usually have to do with transportation or war back in biblical times.<\/p>\n

I think we all have been bogged down by the events of our national election – or at least I have. I have prayed. I have fasted. I have repented. I have stewed. I have churned. No peace there. Te peace of Christmas seemed to mock me. <\/p>\n

One evening when I was in knots the Lord graciously reminded me of Psalm 20:7, “Some boast in chariots and some in horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord our God.” <\/p>\n

My focus had been on “horses and chariots” – no wonder there was no peace. I had to readjust my focus. I had to turn my focus on to the great name of The Lord God – Jehovah. His name is mighty. It is powerful. He is in charge. He is still on the throne. He has a plan and it is good.<\/p>\n

Mary and Joseph’s world was one of turmoil – to say the least. But they trusted God. Think about it. Mary is 9 months pregnant needing rest and the comforts of home. But the ruler of the day decided to take a census which meant they had to travel back to their home of origin – by donkey. And the roads – paths really – were teeming with others trying to get home. <\/p>\n

They didn’t know what the future held. They lived in an uncertain world. They had each other and they had Jehovah God. They didn’t trust in horses or chariots – they didn’t have any. They had God alone.<\/p>\n

And that was enough! Is it enough for you? For me? This Christmas, let’s put our future in the hands of the Almighty God who loves us desperately and has a plan that is good.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What does a chariot have to do with Christmas? Chariots are not part of the Christmas story. They usually have to do with transportation or war back in biblical times. I think we all have been bogged down by the events of our national election – or at least I have. I have prayed. I…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":466,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,307,115,292,525,609],"class_list":["post-1695","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-christmas","tag-faith","tag-god","tag-peace","tag-trust","tag-uncertainty"],"yoast_head":"\nChariots and Christmas Peace - Safe Place with Ruth Graham<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Chariots and Christmas Peace - Safe Place with Ruth Graham\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What does a chariot have to do with Christmas? Chariots are not part of the Christmas story. They usually have to do with transportation or war back in biblical times. 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