Jimmy Hinton

December 13, 2023

A Dark Time In Israel

an emotional woman crying while hugging another person

When we think about the birth of Jesus this time of year most people focus on the joy that Jesus brought. And it certainly is good to focus on the joy of his birth and our salvation. This season is filled with decoration, family time, presents, and talk of our Lord and Savior. There was a lot of talk when Christ was born because people had been waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Jewish people were well aware of prophecies that pointed to a Messiah.

What took the world by surprise, however, was the edict by King Herod to have al the male children in Bethlehem killed: “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men” (Matthew 2:16 ESV).

This dark time in Israel added to the people’s pain, desperation, and need for consolation. They had endured so much at the hands of evil people and were waiting for a savior to come. Jesus was not born in a vacuum. He was born during a very dark time and even was himself at risk. His parents fled to Egypt for a long time. When they returned Joseph was too afraid to go to Judea and was warned in a dream to divert to Galilee. It should give us comfort to know that God hears the cries of his people, to understand that Christ came to bring salvation to a suffering world. There are plenty of people today who are desperate for the Savior to rescue them. We should remember the people who are suffering as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

December 5, 2023

The Mercy of God

There is a strong theme of mercy woven throughout the birth narrative of Jesus. For example, in Mary’s song of praise known as The Magnificat, Mary said, “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation” (Luke 1:50 ESV). Likewise, Zechariah prophesied as soon as his voice was returned to him. In that prophecy, he said, “. . . that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us; to show mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant” (vs. 71, 72).

God’s mercy is not only consistent throughout the birth narrative, but it’s present throughout the entire Bible. Jesus himself got annoyed with the Pharisees for accusing Jesus of hanging out with tax collectors and sinners. In response, Jesus quoted Hosea 6:6: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners” (Matthew 9:13).

Psalm 103, dubbed by one of my professors at college as “the gospel of the Old Testament,” says, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Psalm 103:8). Over and over again the Bible points to the mercy of God and, very specifically, it points to Jesus as the vessel of God’s mercy. God’s mercy is shown through His son. Paul recounts his conversion to Timothy. In it he says, “But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:13). God is a God of mercy who expects his people to act mercifully.

November 29, 2023

For To Us a Child Is Born

Isaiah was an 8th century B.C. prophet who prophesied about the coming messiah. In chapter 9 he begins by saying, “But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of nations” (Isaiah 9:1 ESV).

The people were in anguish–being mistreated, suffering, and waiting for God to intervene. He promised there would be no more gloom for those who were in anguish. Then came the great news: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (vs. 6). The Messiah was going to establish the throne of David and uphold it with justice and righteousness forever (vs. 7).

We cannot connect people to God without telling them who the Christ is. In a world full of suffering we should point people to the only One who can give them hope. It’s easy to see Isaiah’s prophesies play out in the life of Christ. Even today we live with incredible hope, knowing that his throne built on justice and righteousness prevails. We have much to be hopeful for!

November 15, 2023

Encourage People To Remain In the Faith

we ll get through it lettering text on black background

The apostle Paul was an encourager. He had put Christians through the wringer by persecuting them, even to the point of death. It’s no secret that Paul considered Christians to be blasphemers and he singlehandedly wrecked the lives of many innocent people. As Paul was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians, a man named Ananias saw a vision and the Lord told him that he would meet a man named Saul. Terrified, Ananias said that he heard all that Saul had done to the Christians. The Lord replied, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16 ESV).

A long time after Paul was converted he began his mission journeys. He was stoned and left for dead at Timothy’s home village of Lystra. But Paul got up and went on to Derbe the next day. What happened next is incredible: “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:21, 22).

Many people are struggling in life. Like the apostle Paul, many will suffer for the name of Jesus. But we should encourage them to remain in the faith even when our lives are a mess. Paul never gave up. He consistently taught people who God is. He suffered severely yet never gave up treating people with kindness and teaching them who God is. He was always thankful for what God provided and never lost his focus.

November 8, 2023

The Mystery of Godliness

Paul wrote to Timothy in his first letter to warn against false teachers and to encourage him to stay the course and do what is right in the eyes of God. Paul was clear: “I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of truth” (1 Timothy 3:14 ESV).

Paul went on to explain the mystery of godliness: “Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory” (vs. 16).

Paul continues the letter by saying that some will depart from the faith but Timothy should not let that discourage him. He should command these things that are true to the gospel and should “practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress” (1 Tim. 4:15).

November 1, 2023

God Is Not Unjust

Sometimes Christians struggle to believe that God is just. This is, in large part, because we see injustices being done to innocent people all the time. In fact, this was Habakkuk’s complaint to God–that innocent, God-fearing people were suffering in poverty and oppression while the oppressors lived high on the hog. It’s very easy to get discouraged when we see this pattern repeated over and over again.

But Hebrews 6 tells us that it’s impossible for people who have once been enlightened and tasted the goodness of the word of God to come to repentance. The message is clear: “But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed, and its end is to be burned” (Hebrews 6:8 ESV). At this point the Christians might be questioning where God’s justice is in all of this.

There is tremendous hope for saints who serve other saints: “Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things–things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do” (vs. 9, 10). Not only does God care for the saints who serve others, but they “have full assurance of hope until the end” (vs. 11). The people who are patient and serve others will see God’s justice and receive full assurance of hope until the end!

October 25, 2023

Help for Weary Hands

ukrainian couple tearfully reuniting during war

Not long after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea they became hungry and started to complain. The wilderness was quite brutal. They were in one of the most hostile places on the planet, where the daytime temperatures get very brutal. When they complained, God provided bread from heaven. When they moved camp the became thirsty and were angry with Moses. Moses cried to the Lord: “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me” (Exodus 17:4 ESV).

To add injury to insult, when God provided water the Amelekites attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Rephidim was a place that had fertile ground, a rare site in the desert. Here the flocks could find pasture and it seemed like Israel had found a place of peace. But the battle would prove otherwise. Based on Moses’ response with the water situation it appears he was very burned out. Retaliation against him was a reality.

Moses persisted, though: “Tomorrow I will sand on the top of the hill with the staff of God in my hand” (vs. 9). As long as Moses held up his hand Israel was winning. But when his hands grew weary they would start to lose. Aaron and Hur put a rock under Moses and held his hands up until the sun set. “And Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the sword” (vs. 13). This is a reminder to us to be present for people who are fighting spiritual battles. Moses couldn’t have done this alone even though he possessed the staff of God in his hand. We all need support and this is what helps us make it to the next day!