- araratchurch
- Dec 12, 2022
- 3 min read
“And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 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 2:1-5 NKJV
Did you know that well over 300 Old Testament prophecies about the coming Messiah were fulfilled by Jesus? One of those prophecies is found in Micah concerning the place he would be born: Bethlehem.
““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 goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.””
Micah 5:2 NKJV
This prophecy is actually referenced in the New Testament when Herod was inquiring of the religious leaders as to where the Messiah was to be born.
“And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ””
Matthew 2:4-6 NKJV
Think of it, Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth. Bethlehem was 90 miles away. Opinions vary as to how long it would’ve taken them to make that trip on foot; but it was at least a several days journey. Therefore, there is little doubt that they wouldn’t have had any other occasion to be in Bethlehem had it not been for the census that sent them there.
Now, you might wonder what is the cause-and-effect relationship? Did they make this journey to Bethlehem because this is the way it was prophesied? Or, was it prophesied because in the foreknowledge of God He knew this is the way it would be? I’m going to give you an answer that is probably unsatisfying; and that is, it is both. In other words, God, being outside of time and having all knowledge, cannot be described in our terms that suppose neither of these attributes. Indeed, to try to force one of those perspectives as being the way prophecies are fulfilled, would be an error.
So what’s the point here? What’s our takeaway? The takeaway is that God can be trusted—and as an extension—the plan He ordains for our lives can and should be trusted as well. The Lord indeed is weaving a tapestry of unfathomable and indescribable intricacy that will only be fully understood when it is completed and viewed from a glorified mind.
Several years ago I was talking to the Lord and I asked Him why I couldn’t have a better understanding and picture of what He had for me in the future. I honestly did not expect such a clear answer immediately coming. He said (using my own words) that because of my analytic mind, I would immediately begin trying to think of how it would happen, what it would take, and how I could do it. He said that I would just get in my own way. Wow, that’s a lot to process. But of course the Lord is always right and I see things now happening in my life I never could have planned; but yet, the Lord had a plan.
For today meditate on how many things in your life have put you in places that ended up being pivotal toward your life direction. Also consider whether or not you are trusting the plan of the Lord, or whether you are still trying to figure everything out.
Additionally, consider how what we have discussed here even more verifies that—just as all of the Old Testament prophecies about the Lord’s first coming were fulfilled, the prophecies concerning His Second Coming to rule and reign, will also be fulfilled.
And remember, you can trust His plan.
Peace to you.
- araratchurch
- Dec 12, 2022
- 2 min read
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.”
Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV
On Day 6 of “Advent at Ararat” we discussed the fact that Mary said yes to the plan of the Lord.
I would like to point out at this juncture that the only question Mary asked was concerning the logistics of how she would conceive, being that she was a virgin. Notice, nothing is said about whether she was concerned about what Joseph would think or do, although she certainly had reason to do so; adultery and fornication were punishable by death.
Now, not much else is said about Joseph. We know of his part in terms of believing the word of the Lord and not removing his covering from Mary. However, after Joseph—being warned by an angel—moved from one place to another to keep the Christ child from being killed, we don’t hear anything more about him.
Remember, the part Joseph played was essential; so the Lord made sure that he was well informed of the plan. Mary didn’t have to worry about what she would say to Joseph; the Lord did all her talking for her.
For today meditate on the faithfulness of our Lord Who will work out all the details for those who trust Him enough to follow his plan. Examine whether or not you become anxious and worried over how things are going to work out.
As I’ve said so many times before, trusting the Lord does not mean that we don’t plan. It does mean that we follow what He says and then we don’t worry about managing all of the moving parts. Only the Lord sees the perspective of how all things are working together. Trust Him. Be obedient to Him. He’s working out the details!
Peace to you.
- araratchurch
- Dec 9, 2022
- 2 min read
“And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.””
Luke 1:46-55 NKJV
There is no way of knowing what kind of life Mary had lived up until the time of the Lord‘s calling her to be the mother of the Savior of the world. We can guess that she was a respectable person in her daily life and was probably devoted to the Lord. We don’t know much else about who she had been up until the moment Gabriel delivered that awesome message from the Lord. Her previous life may have been uneventful or one peppered with turmoil and sadness. What we do know about Mary is that she was chosen by the Lord to be the mother of the Christ.
Make no mistake, from the moment that message was delivered to Mary by Gabriel and she accepted the call, what her life had been before would be overshadowed by what her life was now as the chosen of the Lord.
Mary’s response to Elizabeth’s praise of her was a beautiful song of praise back to the Father. Whatever Mary’s life song had been to this point, she now had a new song and nothing would ever be the same again.
My mind goes to the words of David:
“I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, The One who gives salvation to kings, Who delivers David His servant From the deadly sword.”
Psalms 144:9-10 NKJV
For today meditate on this question: what is your life song? Is it a “somebody done somebody wrong song”? Is it a sorrowful song? Is it a song of regrets or of hurt?
Remember, no matter what your song was before saying yes to the Lord’s call, it should now be a song of gratitude and joy for the great things God has done.
Additionally, our life song should look forward to those great things God has prepared for us as we rule and reign with Him throughout eternity.
Don’t allow the enemy of your soul to have you still singing the song he wrote for you. Allow the Lord to fill you—as He did for Mary—with a new song of praise for the great things the Lord has done!
Peace to you.