WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 10
Luke 2:1-5
Micah 5:2

“And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda…
shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

PERFECT PROVIDENCE

God perfectly assigned places, people and provisions for the Son of God. The place where Jesus was born was not Nazareth but Bethlehem according to the prophecy given hundreds of years before His birth, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic 5:2).

Mary and Joseph were not living in the appointed birthplace of the Son of God. God arranged everything to fulfil what was prophesied. It was no accident that a decree for taxing went out from Caesar Augustus. The couple had no option but to travel to the place of their fathers to be taxed. God in His sovereignty prepared all things for the soon-to-be- born Messiah. “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Prov 21:1). Mary and Joseph did as the angel told them. They did not do things according to their own plans but wholly performed the words of the Lord. There was no questioning and arguing, neither murmuring, but obedient hearts submissive to the will of God were evident in their lives. As the children’s song goes, “Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.”

How remarkable God’s providence was in bringing Mary up from Nazareth to Bethlehem that Christ, as prophesied, might be born there. How God, in His wisdom, overrules the acts of men for higher or nobler ends than what they intended. The emperor’s aim was, by his edict, to fill his coffers; but God’s end was different, it was to fulfil His prophecies. God’s arrangement is beyond the wisdom of this world. So is His order for every child of God. Nothing happens in your life without His mighty hand doing it. “But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7).

THOUGHT: Do I see the providence of God in my life?
PRAYER: Sovereign Lord in heaven, Thou alone has chosen me and laid out the plans for my life. Please help me appreciate everything of Thy providential arrangement of my life.