We face the disturbing and disruptive chaos in life when everything looks out of control. We try our hardest to control people and circumstances, but we cannot achieve control. The good news is God is in control of all things, even in the chaos of life.
The letter C in the word Peace stands for Control of God’s Sovereignty brings peace.
The Prince of Peace has everything under His loving purpose. You are really right where He wants you. There are no accidents in life. Let His wise control be embraced and all will be well.
Read Luke 2:1-7
The royal couple, Joseph and Mary, had arrived in Bethlehem to be responsive to Rome’s decree to give account of their lives and pay the taxes required.
But once they arrived they found the city bustling with activity. Mary was in the final days and hours of her pregnancy. The hour was pressuring them to find a place to have the baby.
God called both Mary and Joseph to this moment and assignment. Mary was to give birth to the Savior of the world. Where were they do this?
The prophet Micah prophesied 700 years before it happened that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth over 100 miles north of Bethlehem. How does God control events, and whatnot, to bring His Son’s birth to Bethlehem? Ready for the answer? He moved Caesar of Rome to issue a decree for a tax to be collected and a register of families to be made! This was done in 4BC. This is history, and its God in control.
Is God really overseeing the lawmakers of our world to accomplish His divine plans?
The timing is perfect to mobilize the couple to travel, while pregnant, over 100 miles so that they are in Bethlehem exactly when the baby would be born. Seriously? What amazing control!
They arrived and it appeared that God forgot to reserve a room for the baby’s birth.
There was no room in the inn nor anywhere else. What were they to do? This is commonly called “panic”. They were frantically looking for a place, but none was present, nor was there anyone who would help them.
I can hear Joseph crying, “God where are we to have this baby? On the street? In the field? Is there anyone who will help us? Are we alone? Is any one else going to step forward and provide a small room for our child, Your son, the King of the Jews?” Baffled, impatient, frustrated, and awkward in every respect is Joseph who was willing and eager to be part of God’s plan.
Add to this moment of chaos Mary’s situation. She is feeling the pressure of birth, birth pangs, and contractions making it very clear they must find somewhere private and safe to have this son. Mary could rightly complain that this plan is crazy and poorly executed.
But once again God stepped in and provided a stable where the animals were kept, which had a manger or feeding trough carved into the rock where the boy could be laid in soft hay. Is this really God’s wise and loving control?
Here we see one of the most amazing choices ever made… God came from heaven where the streets are gold and doors are pearls and the foundations are jewels of every sort and set His Son in the poorest place a person could be born. Why did He do that?
We see the humility and love of God in His own decision to welcome all people to His arrival. Poorest of the poor and ignorant of the ignorant, the lowest of the low, and in every way excluding no class of people, Jesus is born there. This shouts God’s love for the world. Nothing will stop Him from coming to our world and then going to a cross to save the world from sin.
What happened when God was in control? He provided and protected His family.
Bethlehem is one of the most visited sites to this day, reminding us of His great desire and humility in His persistent love.
Jesus came for you!
