Savior: The Promise FulfilledSample

A Decree to Obey

This is one of the most familiar passages of Scripture. Maybe, like me, you’ve read it many times. Last year I taught at my church’s women´s Christmas meeting and I read something new (to me) that I had never noticed before. 

Mary and Joseph were in Nazareth. That was their hometown and the place where Mary´s son was supposed to be born. People in those times had to travel mostly by foot, so long trips were not as common as they are now. And Mary was pregnant…there was no way they were moving from Nazareth. 

However, prophecies like the ones we studied on Week 1 said that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, in the city of David. Can you see what God did? Joseph was from the lineage of David, so he had to make that trip to Bethlehem. According to the Roman law, Mary didn’t have to join him, but it made sense for her to go, especially because she was in the latter stages of a controversial pregnancy. God used earthly authorities to bring them to Bethlehem and fulfill the prophecy as it was told in Scripture. 

God can use anything and anybody to get His will done, even rulers, authorities, or unbelievers. When something is God´s will you can´t stop it. When something is not God´s will, you can´t force it. Even the all-powerful Caesar Augustus was in the hands of the Almighty God, and God used him to accomplish His will. 

I know it can be incredibly difficult to wait on God. But whatever situation you are in, take heart! God is in control and He will use anything and anybody to get things done according to His perfect will. 

Dear Father, I thank You for the perfect plan You have for my life. Help me remember You always have a plan, You always have a purpose, and You can use any situation and any person in the world to accomplish Your will. Amen. 

Mini challenge: We are getting closer to Christmas! Spend some time today waiting on God with joyful anticipation. Even if you aren’t sure how He will make a way, rest today knowing that God is fully in control.