Main Scripture:
Luke 2:1-21
And it came to pass in those days that a
decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while
Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered,
everyone to his own city.
4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2: 1-7 NKJV)
4 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, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2: 1-7 NKJV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither
are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than
the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your
thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what
is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)
The romantic picture some of us have in our minds of the
events surrounding Jesus’ birth could not be further from the truth. Only after
giving it some serious thought and doing a study of related scripture and
historic accounts, can one begin to appreciate the hardship, inconvenience,
bewilderment, etc., involved in the +- 70 mile trek up a mountain of +- 2654
ft. on foot or on a donkey (The Bible does not specify which of the two), by a
young girl in the last period of her pregnancy, led by a man she had recently
been betrothed to! All because an angel had visited both and had announced to
them that Mary would become the mother of the long-awaited Messiah.
While the honor, joy and wonder of this announcement must
have been overwhelming for them, the ramifications of their obedience, no doubt,
would include gossip, speculation, condemnation, etc. on the part of others.
No, it was not easy for them to do the will of God, not by a long shot.
However, it would prove to be the single most important, history-affecting
decision they would ever make in their lives!
Read Hebrews chapter 11 to further understand that God’s
will for some may very well include suffering, even physical death through
persecution. So the next time you pray “Thy will be done in my life as it is in
heaven”, know that it may very well NOT be what you have in mind.
Hardship in life, even persecution, while right smack in
the center of the will of God, is more to be desired than wealth, prestige,
etc., outside the will of God, because in the former is where lasting peace and
perduring happiness is found.
RE* J* oicita PROductions
I agree completely with all said. So many Christians think that pain, sorrow, financial hardships, awful anxiety, all negatives esp. that hurt so much, comes from anyone or anywhere but God. I not only believe it comes from Him but I would be very terrified if I thought anyone else could be doing such and God was not in control of every second of all that came to me in my life. After what God the father did to His Son Jesus, that we cannot begin to imagine...the Holy One taking sin upon Him and being cursed for us...do we really believe God does not mete out the bad with the good in our lives? Eli was right, it was the Lord. Wally/Wisconsin, USA
ReplyDeleteThanks for your insightful contribution, Wally. Furthermore, Scriptures such as 2 Cor.4:17; Ps.30:5; Is. 26:20; 1 Pe.5:10; Rom.8:18 and others clearly teach that our present sufferings are light and transitory compared to the eternal weight of glory that we will experience in heaven ....... and that is no "Pie in the sky" opiate either, as some would term it. I believe God DOES what He promises in His Word. He has had a PERFECT track record so far. There is no plausible reason why He would change at this point in time. One of His attributes is that He is UNCHANGEABLE.
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