Advent at Ararat 2024 Day 10: We can trust His plan.

“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 these prophecies, in the book of Micah, foretells the place of the Messiah’s birth as being 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, making Bethlehem 90 miles away. Whereas opinions vary as to how long it would’ve taken them to make that trip on foot; 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 at the time of Jesus’ birth, but for the mandatory census. In fact, in that Mary was so close to her delivery, they normally wouldn’t have been traveling at all.

Now, you might wonder about the cause-and-effect relationship between the prophetic word and the fulfillment of the same. Using this case as an example: Did they make this journey to Bethlehem because this is the way it was prophesied? Or, was it prophesied because the foreknowledge of God knew this is the way it would be? Now, I’m going to give you an answer that is probably somewhat unsatisfying: It is both.

To explain, God’s ways, being outside of time and informed by His unsearchable knowledge, cannot be described in our terms. Indeed, to try to force one of those perspectives as being the way prophecies work, would be an error.

As earlier mentioned, over 300 Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah, were fulfilled in Jesus. Now, the probability of just a small portion of those prophecies being fulfilled in one man, is astronomical. I will add, of over 2000 total prophecies found in the Bible, roughly 80% have already been fulfilled!

So what’s the point here? What’s our takeaway? The takeaway is that God can be trusted; what He says will come to pass. Think of this: God’s will for us becomes a prophetic word over our lives when we accept His plan for us. And as we have seen, the prophetic word of the Lord can be trusted.

Remember, God is weaving a tapestry of unfathomable and indescribable intricacy, only understandable from an eternal perspective.

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 an immediate and clear answer. 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; yet, God had planned them for me!

For today meditate on how “unplanned” things in your life have actually put you in places/circumstances that ended up being pivotal toward your life direction. Could that dynamic still be at work? Isn’t God still working all things together for your good?

Also, consider: Are you trusting and resting in the plan of the Lord? Or, are you still stressing over how your life will turn out?

Additionally, consider how what we have discussed here further 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.

Remember, you can trust His plan for you; you can trust Him.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!