1 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed,[b] who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.” Luke 2:1-7 ESV
Taxes. Obamacare. Social Security. National Debt. Corruption. Democrats. Republicans… the list and feelings about our government can go on and on.
We often complain about how government is poorly run and that it often seems devoid of God. The Christmas story reminds us though, that nothing is beyond the sovereignty and activity of God.
— Did Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem because they knew of the OT prophecies and they knew the timing was right for them to go where God wanted them to go???
— Was it a random event and they happened to be in Bethlehem at the right time???
The scriptures tell us they went because of a decree by the government…a decree that Luke identifies as the first of its kind. The government “caused” Joseph and Mary to head to Bethlehem. BUT, it was much more than just a random event by the government. It was a result of the sovereignty and activity of God. God was at work orchestrating these events to get Joseph and Mary to go where He wanted them to go. The Christmas story reminds us that God is at work whether we see it or not. The Christmas story reminds us that God can direct the activity of those outside the Christian community…even the government to accomplish His purposes.
Do you need encouragement this Christmas? Do you sometimes wonder if God is at work in your life or in the lives of others? Do you wonder if God can orchestrate events around us to accomplish His purposes? Let this Christmas be a reminder to all of us that God is at work whether we see it or not. God is alive and is active to accomplish His purposes in our life and the lives around us.
May God use what ever means necessary…even the government…to get you and I to go where He wants us to go and to do what He wants us to do.