Morming Moments

IV. The birth of Jesus and the shepherd’s visit Lk 2:1-21

A. The Guidance of God “registered”

Luke does not say that the “taxing” was collected at this time, but rather that people were registered. It was probable that only holders of inherited property had to go to their home town to register; possibly Joseph was owner of the house where the Wise men later found the family. While he was in Nazareth he would have rented it out to others, who could not be asked to move for his short stay.

The point here is for us to understand that God Guides in two ways:

1) Providentially over the affairs of His creation. Remember this is our Father's world. It is true that Satan is the god of this world and the prince of the power of the air - but ONLY under the ultimate Sovereign God. Heaven is His throne and earth is His footstool. He guides the fish that swim, the birds that fly, the animals that roam. He also guides the governments of this world as they rise and fall, and He has never been caught of guard, nor has He relinquished His control, but He is working it all for our good and His glory.

He alone determined the time for Messiah to come into this world as one of us, born as we are born (though not conceived as we are). Just as He came "in the fullness of time," He will come again when the "fullness of the Gentiles is complete, and after the nation Israel that He judicially blinded, turns to HIM. But He guides in another way too.

2) Personally in the affairs of His children. Just as He prepared the moment for the first advent, He also prepared the maiden for it. Why did God choose Mary out of all the single virgins of Israel? "Out of the good pleasure of His will." He is God and He chooses the times and the people. He chooses when and how and sometimes He ALONE knows why. Mary's response to Him should be our response to Him, "Be it unto me according to thy word." Trust Him to guide you and don't question how He will do it.

God does not run on our time table nor according to our wishes. He knows BEST and we can trust His wisdom and workings.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for your guidance. Guide me today in such a way that I might be what I have become IN Christ. For His Sake. Amen!