In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) and everyone went to his own town to register.There is one verse in this passage which strikes me as a bit odd. I wonder if you feel the same way?
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her first-born, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:1-7
Verse 6: "While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born."
The time 'came'?
Really?
As I read this story, I thought about the fact that God set this whole plan in motion. When Mary became pregnant with Jesus, God knew when the time would come for the baby to be born. He knew at that time Mary would be in Bethlehem – far away from home, and family, and all things familiar. And I couldn't help but wonder, God? What were You thinking? Couldn't You have adjusted Your timing just a bit so things would have worked out better? How could You – God Almighty – have messed up on the timing of Your Son's birth???
But God is gracious and patient with me, and He helped me understand. God had promised the Savior would come from Bethlehem (see Micah 5:2). He chose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus' parents, but they lived in Nazareth, not Bethlehem. However, God knew they would be traveling to Bethlehem to register for the census. And He caused Mary to become pregnant with Jesus at just the right time – so that when they were in Bethlehem for the census, the time would come for the Baby to be born.
God worked out the details and timed everything – perfectly.
Have you ever wondered if God may have messed up the timing in your life? Perhaps you're struggling with that feeling right now. May I suggest to you that there has never been (and never will be) a time in our lives when God is surprised by our circumstance and doesn't know what to do? God knew where Mary and Joseph would be when the time came for the baby to be born, and He worked the timing out perfectly for them. He will do the same for you.
5 comments:
I think God's timing is a struggle for most of us at one time or another. I'm almost certain Mary had to question why in the world she had to climb on the back of that blasted donkey and ride 90 miles just to satisfy the government.
For Mary, it was a sacrifice to God. So often, I believe that God's timing calls us to sacrifice our desires, wishes and comfort for a greater glory.
Leah
Leah - And HIS timing is always best. It's just hard to remember that sometimes, until we have hind-sight. *sigh* *wink*
It's all about the timing for me in one aspect of my life right now. I'm trusting that no matter what, God will either time it so the door will open or He will time it so the door will close. Either way, I'm taken care of. He's.Got.This. He's got me! :o)
So good to remember! and it's so easy to think I need to fret about everything to make sure that it all turns out!
Yeah, let me just invite trouble!
Jodi - Either way. That's right!
Father, thank You that You are all over this circumstance in Jodi's life. Please show her Your goodness and faithfulness as You work out these details for her good and Your glory. I'm asking it in Jesus' Name.
Amen and amen.
Gianna - And then it all 'turns out' and I say to myself, Why did I waste all that time and energy fretting???
*sigh*
*wink*
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