As Christmas approaches, we wrap up our week of devotions with one from Charles Stanley. In this morning's reading, Dr. Stanley reminds us to focus on everything..not just what we think is significant.
PASSAGE: Luke 2:1-7
Every portion of Scripture is significant (2 Timothy 3:16). It can be surprising to discover what favorite Bible stories reveal about God. For instance, many families have a Christmas tradition of reading the account of Jesus’ birth. The words are a comforting reminder that Christ came to earth to die for our sins. But the details of His birth also teach us that what may appear unimportant can have far-reaching consequences.
Some people of Jesus’ time expected the Messiah to be a man of power and standing, who would free the Jewish nation from Roman rule. But the Savior of the world, whose life, death, and resurrection would have eternal impact, was born into lowly circumstances. Neither Joseph nor Mary had position or power, and even Jesus’ birth city of Bethlehem was politically unimportant. Those who were keeping vigil for a Messiah with worldly status no doubt missed the Savior when He came.
Modern believers shouldn’t scoff at the shortsightedness of Jesus’ contemporaries. Like them, we often ignore the seemingly insignificant while waiting for God to do something dramatic. Our attention can be so focused on our situation and how we want it to resolve that we miss the Lord at work in unexpected ways.
The saints of God are called to live with eyes and hearts open to His guidance. When we seek His will and commit to following Him in everything, we will not miss opportunities to obey Him. And our obedience, even in matters that seem trivial, does have eternal consequences.
How is God working in your life? Are you looking for your prayers to be answered a certain way....while missing the way God is actually accomplishing what He wants to do in your life? My challenge today is to look for God in all things...what we think might be trivial...He makes triumphant.Pastor Brian
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