Napoleon Hill told of a fellow named R. U. Darby, who got caught up in gold fever in the 1800s. He joined his uncle in the West, and the two men had initial success, but the mine dried up. They drilled deeper, finding nothing but rock and dirt. They finally gave up, selling their equipment as junk and taking the train back home where they had to work hard repaying their creditors. But the man who bought the drilling rig decided to give it another try. Only three feet from where the Darbys had stopped drilling, the new owners found one of the richest deposits of gold ever discovered in that area.
R. U. Darby was understandably frustrated at his lost potential, but he took the lesson to heart. Pursuing a career in the insurance industry, he learned to persevere, and he became one of the most successful insurance executives of his generation.
During this Christmas season as you wrap gifts with gold foil and hang your golden ornaments on the tree, perhaps you feel your mine has dried up. Maybe you’re discouraged. Not everything that glitters at Christmas is gold.
But I want to encourage you to keep drilling into the Scripture—because if you don’t give up, soon you’ll find golden promises to sustain your spirits all month long.
Promise of Joy and Gladness
One of the first promises in the Christmas story is when the angel Gabriel told aged Zacharias, “Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth” (Luke 1:13-14).
Zacharias and Elizabeth battled sadness for years, longing and praying for a child. God answered their prayers, giving them a son to pave the way for Messiah. Those events bring joy and gladness to everyone who receives the Gospel.
Put your name in that verse. Hear the Lord say to you this season: “You will have joy and gladness.” If you’ll persevere and keep drilling, you will find blessings on the other side of hardship.
Promise of Jesus
The angel Gabriel traveled to Nazareth, giving Mary the promise of a Son who would inherit the throne of David and become the eternal King of Israel. Luke 1:32 says of Jesus: “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.” God provided a King for the ages of time. He can reign and rule over all we commit into His care and keeping.
Promise of Great Things
In pondering Gabriel’s message, Mary exclaimed, “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:49). Think about those words—great things.
What great things has the Lord done for you? If you don’t see any great things in your life, take time to check out these verses (emphasis added on great things).
· Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
· To God, I would commit my cause—who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. Job 5:8-9
· You who have done great things; O God, who is like You? Psalm 71:19
· The Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad. Psalm 126:3
· Jesus…said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you.” Mark 5:19
The Lord has done great things for you too. Perhaps you feel you have great burdens this time of year. Our Lord can bear your burdens and provide blessings without number.
Promise of Good News
In Luke, we’re reminded of the angels’ song over Shepherds’ Fields in Bethlehem—the promise of Good News: “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
If this is a difficult Christmas for you, don’t give up. Sometimes in our lives the season of blessing is right around the corner, just beyond the most difficult hardships. We travel from the worst to the best whenever we open His Book and mine its promises, which are richer than gold.
David Jeremiah is the senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and the founder and host of Turning Point for God. For more information about Dr. Jeremiah or Turning Point, visit www.DavidJeremiah.org.
