-December 3, 2022-
Good morning, happy Saturday,
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose going forth are of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).
“Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary his betrothed wife, who was with child” (Luke 2:4-5).
The promised Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem in Judah, the city of David according to the Scriptures. But Joseph and Mary were residents of Nazareth in Galilee, how would this work? It was no problem for the Lord, He literally moved heaven and earth to get them to Bethlehem. God caused Caesar Augustus to decree a census of all the world. Each person had to be registered in his own city. So off to Bethlehem Joseph and Mary went. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes.”
When God in heaven wills that something be done on earth, He makes it happen. He uses people and circumstances to bring things to pass. He does this same thing in our lives. He directs and redirects us to fulfill His plan. When God wanted to send Israel into captivity, He used King Cyrus of Media-Persia to declare them to return to their land after 70 years and rebuild the temple, taking back all the articles Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Solomon’s temple. There is nothing that God cannot do.
When it was time for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, the city was flooded with people and there was no room for them in the Inn. God used the Innkeeper to allow Mary and Joseph to use his manger to give birth, and as they say, the rest is history. God had a plan, and He brought it about. Every detail was taken care of just perfectly.
Jesus is called the Son of David, and one day He will rule over the Jews and all the nations. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. He will rule with a rod of iron. His first advent was to suffer and die on the cross to save us from our sins. His second advent will be to reign. Everything God does is perfect and in impeccable timing. This should encourage us to trust Him to lead us and guide us. He never makes mistakes nor does He ever fail.
The hymn writer Philip Brooks wrote, “O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie! Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by; Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light: the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” Let us rejoice in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Have a blessed day and Christmas season, Stay safe and healthy.
From Bethlehem’s manger came Jesus the visiting Stranger,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 