WEDNESDAY: STAND UP AND BE COUNTED

Dec 14, 2022
2 min read

Luke 2:1-7

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 their own town to register.

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 be 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 firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

God moves people to put them where He needs them to be. God moved in Caesar’s heart, so he would send Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, where it had been prophesied Jesus would be born.

Micah 5:2 states that from Bethlehem will come for Me (God) One who will be ruler over Israel. Jesus came to earth because God sent Him to do a specific job. Jesus didn’t come to be an earthly ruler, but He came to be a heavenly ruler over Israel and all humanity.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

God has a purpose for rulers. While Caesar did not give his heart to God, God used him in a powerful way to fulfill a prophecy spoken hundreds of years earlier. Luke also mentions Quirinius, the newly appointed governor of Syria who oversaw the census in Judea.

God also desires to show His Son was a humble servant. He sent Him into a humble, God-fearing family and allowed Him to be born in a stable.

God does everything in its time. Do you know there is a time for everything? While I may be impatient, God is always on time.

Lord, I pray that I will stand up and be counted. I know You have a time for everything, and I pray I obey all Your commands on time. Amen.

May you be blessed,

Chaplain Wayne Ruckman