Scripture Reading: Luke 2:6-7 (New International Version)
“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Thought for the day:
The phrase “While they were there, the time came…” is an interesting one. As one commentator states: “Mary had up until this time, been living in the wrong place for Messiah’s birth.” The prophecy in Micah 5:2 is very clear in that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem. I said at the end of yesterday’s study that Mary had to be in the right place at the right time. In order for this to be so, let’s look briefly at just some of the variables involved. Augustus needed to order a census. Mary had to be married to someone who was from the lineage of David so that they would go to Bethlehem in that census (Egyptian and Jewish census involved the ‘household’ lineage and so Mary’s ancestry had no bearing). Mary had to conceive at the exact time to allow for the pregnancy to go full term at the time of the census. Joseph had to arrange the travel to Bethlehem at precisely the right time to ensure they were there for the birth. They had to leave Nazareth at the planned time.
If there was just a minor deviation to any of these then the prophecy would not have been fulfilled. WOW. If they had stayed any longer in Nazareth, the prophecy would have failed! They could have decided to stay at Nazareth until after the birth. I mean, that would be the sensible thing to do wouldn’t it? It is truly amazing to see how God has ‘woven’ such an intricate and fine picture of so many components with the result being a fascinating and wondrous tapestry of God’s Glory and Majesty. Ps 118:23 says: “the LORD has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.” Way back in 2016, Allen encouraged us to look differently at our circumstances. Instead of saying ‘Why me?’, we should be saying to the Lord ‘Ok, this is where I’m at now but where are you taking me next?’ Let’s not get bogged down in our circumstances but learn to understand that His ways are perfect. Everything happens for a reason. We may not know or understand the reason but be assured that He knows! One of the most used verses in Scripture is Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and future.”
Prayer and Application:
Let’s look at the verse today and place it deep into our spirits. Stand on the unshakeable truth that God has His hand on your life and that He knows best. When it doesn’t seem logical to ride a donkey across country when you’re about to give birth, lift your eyes to the One who sees everything as it’s meant to be seen. Trust Him and do what He says. He won’t let you down or allow His Word to fail in your life.