Jesus’ First Appearance - Charles Stanley Daily Devotional December-24-2023

Charles Stanley (December-24-2023) Daily Devotional: Jesus’ First Appearance

The specific circumstances of Jesus' birth were centuries old prophecies coming true; we can trust the God who knows and plans all good.

Isaiah 25:1 - O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Though some situations in the Bible don’t make sense to us, none were happenstance.

God, who knows all things and sees the end from the beginning, was working out His plan of redemption every step of the way.

Consider the fact that a government census forced Mary to travel in her ninth month of pregnancy, and Caesar Augustus probably thought it was his idea. 

But the reality is that he was being sovereignly overruled. God was moving this family to Bethlehem, fulfilling a prophecy Micah had written centuries earlier: 

“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity” 

(Micah 5:2 - ``But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.").

After enduring uncomfortable travel, Joseph and Mary could find only a stable, with a feeding trough for the baby’s crib. 

These were hardly accommodations fit for a King. 

But this, too, was no accident: The Father had determined the Lamb of God was to be born in a lowly setting. 

What difficult circumstances are you facing? Do you wonder why God would allow such trials? Rest assured, the Lord knows all and has a good purpose.