Advent at Ararat - Day 10 & 11: 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 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.

#adventatararat